Kass Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0950

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Forms part of the South Texas Jewish Archives. Stored off-site at the Library Service Center and requires 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Content Description

One box containing USO/Jewish Welfare Board documents, newspaper clippings, Adath Yeshurun materials, correspondence, and song lyrics documents some of the Kass family's life from 1933 to 2003.

Forms part of the South Texas Jewish Archives.

Dates

Creation: 1933 - 2003

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research. Stored off-site at the Library Service Center and requires 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Kass Family Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library. The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

Benjamin M. Kass was born in Poland in 1904 to Max and Sara Snyder Kass. After receiving a law degree from Rutgers University, he went into private practice in New Jersey. During World War II, he was employed by the USO (Jewish Welfare Board) in Texas -- first in the Bay City/Palacios area and later in Houston. Throughout his life he wrote poetry, plays, essays (often relating to Jewish topics), as well as songs, both lyrics and music. These included Ani is I, a love song translated from Hebrew to English. After the war, he was executive director of Adath Yeshurun and later went into the retail toy business. Ben started Camp Judaea along with several others. He died in 1961 and is buried at Adath Yeshurun Cemetery.

Ben and his wife, Pauline (Dranitzke) had two daughters: Barbara and Miriam.

Barbara married Samuel Kolman and the couple had two daughters: Benita and Jeannette.

Miriam was born in New Jersey in 1937. After the family moved to Houston, she attended Sutton Elementary, Johnston Jr. High, and San Jacinto High School, graduating in 1955. She attended Camp Tel Yehuda at age 13, became president of Houston Club, National Vice President of Texas-Oklahoma-Louisiana region, and counselor at Camp Young Judaea in Texas from its inception to college. Miriam attended the University of Texas at Austin before transferring to Smith College, graduating in 1958. She also received an MA in English Literature from Rice Institute in 1960. Miriam was a reporter, editor, and medical writer for The Houston Post for 14 years. She went on to attend the University of Houston Law School, graduating in 1977. She practiced for 17 years, mostly litigation law with Baker Botts and other firms, and later was a mediator.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection consists of USO/Jewish Welfare Board documents, newspaper clippings, Adath Yeshurun materials, correspondence, and song lyrics from the Kass family spanning the years 1933 to 2003.