Joseph L. Blumenstein papers, 1930-1975 and undated

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Summary

Creator:
Blumenstein, Joseph L. (Joseph Leo) and Jewish Heritage Foundation of North Carolina
Abstract:
Joseph L. Blumenstein (1914-1982) was a Jewish United States Army officer and merchant born in Berlin, Germany. The materials in this collection document Joseph L. Blumenstein's emigration from Germany in 1937, his efforts to rescue his parents from Czechoslovakia during the Holocaust, his service in the United States Army during World War II, and postwar family life in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Extent:
1.3 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English, German, and Czech
Collection ID:
RL.11013

Background

Scope and content:

The materials in this collection document Joseph L. Blumenstein's emigration from Nazi Germany and immigration to Czechoslovakia (1937) and the United States (1938) and his efforts to rescue parents Solomon and Fanny Blumenstein from Czechoslovakia during the Holocaust. The collection also contains documents related to Blumenstein's military service during World War II and his postwar family life in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Types of material include German school reports and references from employers, a Czech passport, affidavits of support, correspondence, and other immigration documents; military orders, rosters, and documents related to veterans' benefits; a photograph album with pictures of family members and soldiers; and a yearbook.

Biographical / historical:

Joseph L. Blumenstein (1914-1982) was a Jewish United States Army officer and merchant of Fayetteville (Cumberland Co.), North Carolina. He was born Josef Leo Blumenstein in Berlin, Germany, where he was educated at Jewish schools and trained to become a tailor. He emigrated from Germany to Czechoslovakia in 1937 and to the United States in 1938. During World War II, Blumenstein served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he married Florence Fleishman of Fayetteville. He was later stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, as an instructor for the Tactical Section of the Infantry School. He was also involved in the interrogation of German prisoners and the postwar training of Germans for service in the Office of Military Government. After the war, Blumenstein and his family remained in Fayetteville, where they owned and operated the Capitol Food Store and were members of the Beth Israel Congregation.

Acquisition information:
The Joseph L. Blumenstein papers are a gift of David Moff. They were received as part of the Jewish Heritage Foundation of North Carolina Collection by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library in June, 2014.
Processing information:

Processed by: Mary Mellon, April 2015

Accessions described in this finding aid: 2014-0138

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48-hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Joseph L. Blumenstein papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.