Oppenheimer Stern Family Collection
Scope and Content Note
Folder 1 contains a small journal in which Toni Stern wrote down some memories and life lessons in 1909 to be shared with her children and grandchildren. Her daughter, Clara Stern, wrote a brief note of introduction to her mother's writing in 1913. Both wrote in German.
Folder 2 contains Philip Oppenheimer's original journal, handwritten in German, and a typed English translation by his daughter Edith. He began writing the journal in 1915, on his eighteenth birthday. His goal was to write down "only thoughts that I have about any experiences" instead of just a record of his daily activities. His journal includes his views on religion, assimilation, anti-Semitism, his occupation, the First World War, his relationship with his family, and his romantic aspirations and expectations. The journal continues through 1926, although entries are sparse after 1923.
Folder 3 contains photocopies of a skit commemorating the silver wedding anniversary of Karl and Else Stern. It is written primarily in the Hessian dialect of German.
This collection's oversize folder contains a scrapbook chronicling Stephanie Stern's fencing career. The scrapbook has clippings from German, American, and Italian newspapers, programs from fencing events, and some photographs of fencers.
Dates
- 1909-2002
- Majority of material found within 1909-1926
Creator
- Gordon, Edith L. Oppenheimer (Person)
Language of Materials
The collection is in German and English, with some Italian.
Access Restrictions
Open to researchers.
Access Information
Readers may access the collection by visiting the Lillian Goldman Reading Room at the Center for Jewish History. We recommend reserving the collection in advance; please visit the LBI Online Catalog and click on the "Reserve" button.
Use Restrictions
The donor retains copyright for the English translation of Philip Oppenheimer's journal.
There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:
Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
email: lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org
Biographical Note
Philip Oppenheimer was born as Phillip Oppenheimer in 1897 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany to Jewish parents. After serving in the German army during World War I, in 1926 he obtained a doctorate in engineering at the Munich Technical University. He married Stephanie Stern, a German fencing champion, in America in 1927. She competed in fencing tournaments in several countries, including Germany, Italy, and the United States.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection contains journals, clippings and other papers related to the lives of some of the members of the Oppenheimer and Stern families, particularly of Philip Oppenheimer and his wife, the fencing champion Stephanie Stern.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in one series.
Digitization Note
The collection was digitized and made accessible in its entirety with the exception of the 1983 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung obituary on fellow Offenbach fencing club member Helene Mayer, which is accessible onsite only.
Processing Information
The folders have been arranged alphabetically by title.
- Title
- Guide to the Oppenheimer Stern Family Collection 1909-2002 AR 25121
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Michael Himmel
- Date
- © 2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
- Sponsor
- Digitization made possible by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany.
- Edition statement
- This version was derived from EvelynBenson.xml
Revision Statements
- June 2015: dao links and digitization information added by Leanora Lange.
Repository Details
Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository
