Stephen S. Wise Family Papers

Brandeis University Libraries

c. 1998 By Brandeis University Libraries, all rights reserved

Table of Contents

Access:

Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of Brandeis University Libraries, Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department.

Copyright:

Requests to publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department.

Processed by:

S. Pyzynski, 1997

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Biography

Stephen S. Wise (1874-1949) was born in Hungary to middle-class Jewish parents. One month after his birth, his father emigrated to America and became rabbi of Congregation Rodeph Sholom in Manhattan. In 1875 his wife and children followed him to America.

Stephen Wise followed his father's and grandfather's footsteps and was ordained as a rabbi. In the 1890s Wise turned to Reform Judaism and Zionism, falling under the influence of Theodor Herzl. Wise accepted an offer to be rabbi at a Portland, Oregon temple and in 190 he married Louise Waterman and moved to Oregon. Five years later Wise was offered the position of rabbi at Emanu-El but did not accept it after a disagreement over the role of the rabbi. Wise felt rabbis should exhort the congregation, expose injustices and encourage action. This philosophy made him a dynamic and controversial figure for his entire career.

In 1906 the Wises returned to New York and Stephen Wise founded the Free Synagogue, where he remained rabbi until his death. From his position he became involved in Jewish rights, Zionism, and political justice. An excellent orator, Wise frequently went on the lecture circuit. In 1915-16 he and Louis Brandeisfounded the American Jewish Congress to support Jewish rights around the world.

Louise Wise was also active in affairs outside of the home, founding a Women's Division of the American Jewish Congress and working on social issues. Both the Wises remained close to their numerous family members and active in their concerns.

During the 1930s Stephen Wise devoted his time to warning the country about the rise of fascism in Europe and the plight of the Jews, with limited success. After World War II Wise involved himself in Zionist issues and the founding of the free state of Israel.

In 1949 Stephen Wise died. He had known and worked with many of the most influential people of the era; Louis Brandeis, Chaim Weizmann, Abba Hillel Silver and John Haynes Holmes. He was one of the greatest American religious leaders of his time, leaving a permanent on American Reform Judaism

Urofski, Melvin I. A Voice That Spoke for Justice: the Life and Times of Stephen S. Wise. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1982.Voss, Carl Hermann. Rabbi and Minister: the Friendship of Stephen S. Wise and John Haynes Holmes. Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Co., 1964.

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Scope and Content

This collection concerns Stephen Wise's personal relationships with his family; in particular, the relatives of his wife's family. The major part of this collection details his relationships with two women, his cousins, Gertrude Bock Hauser and Rosemary Krensky. This collection was arranged and annotated by Rosemary Krensky, and, except for a few minor changes, was left in its original order. About a dozen letters written by Rosemary Krensky to Stephen Wise were found in Gertrude Hauser's possession, and these were integrated into the Krensky-Wise series rather than kept separate in order to give a more complete view of the exchange of letters between the two individuals.

Gertrude Bock Hauser was Louise Wise's second cousin, however they were very close. Gertrude's mother, to whom Louise was very attached, died at an early age, and Louise became a surrogate mother to Gertrude and her three sisters. When Gertrude became an adult and married Paul Hauser, she took over the money management of the Wises' affairs, for Stephen Wise was a notorious spendthrift with a casual attitude toward such matters. Much of their correspondence in this collection touches on money and the Wises' lack of it. it also gives a vivid portrayal of Stephen Wise's close involvement with his family.

Rosemary Ehrenreich Krensky was a niece to Gertrude Hauser and third cousin to Louise Wise. After she married Milton Krensky she became involved in the Chicago Women's division of the American Jewish Congress and many letters in this collection deal with this topic between her and the Wises. These letters provide valuable insight into Stephen Wise's involvement into the American Jewish Congress.

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Cataloging Entries

The following catalog entries provide controlled subject access to the collection. All these entries are searchable in the Brandeis University libraries' on-line catalog LOUIS to find materials of related interest.

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Series Description

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Container List