Maurice Grossman papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1977_162-UA
The papers of Maurice Grossman mainly document the activities of the organizations to which he belonged to, although there are some materials about his son, son-in-law, and some of his associations. These materials consist of newspapers, magazines, broadsides, newspaper clippings, and programs of all types and date from 1917-72, with the strongest representation from the 1930s and 1960s.
The Maurice Grossman papers document some of the activities and organizations of Louisville’s Jewish community during the 1930s and 1960s. There are some materials from the World War I era, but the bulk of the collection relates to these later decades. The collection includes newspapers, newspaper clippings, and broadsides about the Y.M.H.A., which provides a more national perspective for the period 1931-1941.
Organizations represented include B’nai B’rith District Grand Lodge No. 2, and the Boy Scouts, although there are significant gaps in these records. Significant correspondence includes letters from Representative Snyder and Senator Morton about the issue of health care for the elderly, and correspondence from Representative Mazzoli and Governor Edward Breathitt.
The copyright interests have not been transferred to the University of Louisville.
1.75 linear feet (2 manuscript boxes, 2 flat boxes)
Maurice F. Grossman was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 23, 1930, the son of Louis and Annie Grossman. After graduating from Male High School in 1920, he went to work for the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (Y.M.H.A.), now the Jewish Community Center. He was elected General Secretary of the Y.M.H.A on April 16th, 1930 and served as Executive Director of the Hebrew Association until 1935. In 1935 he moved to Lexington to operate a sundry drug store. He worked in this store until 1937, when he returned to Louisville for health reasons. In 1943 when he opened a dry goods store on Taylor and Beery Boulevard. He sold the store in 1965 and worked for the county government until 1970. Throughout his retirement until his death he operated a department store.
In 1971 he became a charter member of the Boy Scout Troop 30, and remained active in the group for the rest of his life. He helped the Louisville B’nai B’rith, of which he was once president, to raise funds to build a meeting facility at Covered Bridge Reservation. He also influenced the Old Kentucky Home council of the Boy Scouts to buy the covered Bridge Reservation. The Scouts awarded him the Silver Beaver distinguished service award.
His love for the B’nai B’rith came from his father, Louie H. Grossman, an insurance agent and past president of the lodge. He was also a charter member of the Daniel Boone Chapter of DeMolay. Due to his guidance, every year the B’nai B’rith Committee has contributed a substantial sum toward purchasing visual aids to Scouting education for the Old Kentucky Home Council which is composed of Louisville-Jefferson County and 18 other counties. He also served as a volunteer for the Old Community Chest and Jewish Hospital.
Maurice married Sadye Simmons in 1926. Together they had a son and daughter.
Part of the University of Louisville Archives and Special Collections Repository