Israel /Muhlendorf

Dublin Core

Title

Israel /Muhlendorf

Subject

Samuel J. Israel; Colbert County: Jewish Philanthropists

Description

Samuel J. Israel immigrated from Lithuania moving to Sheffield, Alabama in 1909. His first venture was a wholesale grocery. He eventually founded Paper and Chemical Supply of Sheffield.

He was known throughout the community for his charitable works and kind nature. He served on multiple committees on behalf of local charities, fraternities, and the Temple. His most notable contribution to the area was donating the land and organizing the fundraising for the construction of the Northwest Alabama Rehabilitation Center in Muscle Shoals. He also worked tirelessly to promote adult literacy in the state of Alabama.

When he died, Senator Howell Heflin (Democrat of Alabama) paid special tribute to Mr. Israel's contributions to the area and the state on the floor of the United States Senate.

He married Bessie Kreisman (whose parents were prominent businesspeople in Florence). Their daughter, Beatrice, married Jack Muhlendorf. He first marriage to Bessie lasted from 1912 until her death in 1912. His second marriage was to Hilda Shipper.

He died in 1990 at the age of ninety-three.

The Israel and Muhlendorf Family have a section of graves at the Jewish Cemetery in Oakview Cemetery in Sheffield, Alabama. The three acres of the cemetery were put aside for Jewish use before a temple existed.

Creator

Pam Kingsbury

Source

Samuel J. Israel, unpublished manuscript, local history room, Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.

Publisher

Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

Date

1909 - 1990.

Contributor

Pam Kingsbury, University of North Alabama

Rights

Pam Kingsbury

Type

Text and photograph.