Caplan, Louis - 1976 - Tape 1, Side 1

Description

[T1S1]Caplan, Louis, a lawyer and philanthropist who served as the first president, United Jewish Fund and national vice president of the American Jewish Committee; year of birth, 1886; June, 1892, parents die in flood; three of four brothers go to Gusky Hebrew Orphanage on the North Side in Pittsburgh; origins of Gusky Orphanage; Trustee, Rodef Shalom Temple; history of reformed Jews in Pittsburgh; family, immigrants from Russia; life at Gusky Orphanage; two years at Allegheny High School; history of brothers' lives; religious services at Gusky Orphanage; serving as chaplain for orphanage; first job at age fifteen for Weiler Brothers on First Avenue; decentralization of religious community through the Union of American Hebrew Congregations; one of founding board members, Temple Sinai; personal opinions on foster homes role in closing Jewish orphanages; honorary president, Gusky Orphanage; closing of Gusky Orphanage; transfer of funds for Gusky to Jewish Family and Children Services; influence in decision to become a lawyer, Judge Josiah Cohen; some personal history of Josiah Cohen, first Jewish judge in Allegheny County.