Irgang-Entenberg-Kushner Family Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0370

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection contains personal papers, documents, a photograph of Bill Irgang, and correspondence. Included are identificaiton documents, a passport, a license for a butcher shop, official certifications from Jaroslaw, Poland issued to Wolf Irgang, his family, and Sura Entenberg; records from DP Camp Wels, their Declaration of Intention to immigrate to the U.S. by Bill Irgang, Sally Irgang, and Ida Entenberg, and correspondence with the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States and lawyer Irwin Heimowitz about the Irgangs' property claim. Attached are also a letter from Jaroslaw and copy of a municipal registry entry from the Polish State Archive. Finally, there is a letter from the Rabbi Lubavitch to Ceil Kushner.

Dates

Creation: 1926-1969

Creator

Kushner, Molly, 1948- (Person)

Language of Materials

Includes materials written in English, Polish, Yiddish, Hebrew

Access

Due to possible privacy concerns with this collection, researchers should consult with Dr. Rebecca Jefferson, Head of the Price Library of Judaica (352-273-2650), to access the records. The collection includes one envelop with restricted material.

Biographical/Historical Note

Hersh Wolf Irgang (Americanized as Bill Irgang) and Sura (née Entenberg) Irgang (Americanized as Sally Irgang) lived in Jaroslaw, Poland before World War II. Bill was a butcher. In 1940 they were deported to the Soviet Union for forced labor and were released in 1946. Their son Modke was born in the Soviet Union in 1944. After their release, Bill - and probably Sally and Modke - registered as stateless persons in DP Camp Hirshberg. From there they transferred to DP Camp Wels in 1947. Molly Kushner (nee Malka Irgang) was born there in 1948. They remained in Camp Wels until 1951 when they were permitted to immigrate to the United States. Sura's sister Ida, and her other family member Josef Entenberg also immigrated to the U.S. after the War. Family members awaited them in the U.S.

After the Claim Agreement between the U.S. and Poland was signed (1960), Bill, Sally, and Ida filed a claim for their lost property in Jaroslaw. Although they could not convincingly prove ownership to some of their property, they learned that they still had land to their names that they could sell. Ida died while the claim was being processed.

Extent

.21 Linear feet (1 Box)

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains the Irgang family's documents dated prior to their immigration to the U.S., documents that record their desire for naturalization, and other correspondence testifying to their efforts to gain ownership and compensation for property left behind in their native Jaroslaw, Poland.