By Melissa Cohen-Nickels, Curator, Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives
This fall has been a busy season for the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives.
Thanks to the Samuels Family Foundation Grant, we digitized 10,000 pages of newsletters and board meeting minutes from the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. These documents are now keyword searchable and accessible to researchers, academics, students and community members via the Portal to Texas History website.
These documents are already revealing new insights into Houston’s Jewish past. While the early history of Houston’s Jewish community initially appears to be dominated by industrious men, a closer examination uncovers the significant roles played by women. One such story is that of Adele Heyman, an active member of the early Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, then known as the Jewish Community Council.
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston records, MS 714. Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives at Woodson Research Center, Rice University
Adele Heyman moved to Houston in 1931 with her husband, Howard Heyman, to be closer to their daughter and granddaughter, Mrs. Sidney (Bertha) Mayer and Nancy Lou. When Howard passed away in 1936, Adele became deeply involved in her new community, beginning with raising funds for the Community Chest.
In 1939, as war erupted in Europe, the women of Houston’s Jewish community rallied to support Jewish refugees. On April 4, 1939, the Refugee Services Committee held its first executive committee meeting at the Jewish Community Council. Led by their chair, Mrs. Howard (Adele) Heyman, the group quickly organized efforts to assist Jewish refugees fleeing Europe.
Over the next several years, the committee raised thousands of dollars to fund programs in health, education, job training, religious outreach, naturalization support and housing for newly arrived refugees. Volunteers coordinated with local Jewish doctors and businesses to secure resources, ensuring refugees had access to kosher food, religious communities and other essentials. By August 1943, the committee had aided 485 refugees.
From 1939 to 1943, Adele served as director of the Refugee Services Program for the Council — entirely as a volunteer. In 1943, however, the council faced a challenge when Executive Director Jack Lightman requested a leave of absence to join the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee as associate director of its South American Program in Montevideo, Uruguay. Lightman’s absence left the council struggling to find a suitable interim replacement amid the war and the temporary nature of the role.
In October 1943, the council turned to Adele Heyman, recognizing her exceptional leadership skills. She was asked to step in as acting director “until a professional director is employed on a permanent basis.” (Jewish Community Council Board Meeting — October 1943, part of the STJA Collections at Rice University.)
Over the next six months, Adele led the council with strength and care while the board searched for a permanent director. Their top candidate, Mr. Arthur Rosichan from Pittsburgh, was reluctant to relocate to Houston for a temporary position. Despite his eventual interview, he requested a salary of $10,000 — an amount the board deemed too high.
As noted in the board minutes:
“Mr. Catchment raised the question as to why the situation could not remain as it was, with Mrs. Heyman as acting director. When this question was put to her, Mrs. Heyman stated that she felt Houston should have a man in the position, and the committee should continue to take steps toward obtaining a permanent director who would be able and willing to undertake the Houston requirements, but that she had never failed Houston in its needs, and would be willing to continue in the work until such time as that man could be obtained … Mr. Mayer asked whether there was any part of the work that was not being covered satisfactorily by Mrs. Heyman, and Mr. Zuber assured him that there was not. General discussion took place after which it was agreed that Mrs. Heyman would continue as acting director for the duration or until such time as a permanent director could be obtained who would be suitable from all angles. The motion was dropped and no official action was deemed necessary but to reply to Mr. Rosichan that his offer was not acceptable to the Committee.” (August 1944)
Adele continued as acting director for two years, leading the federation through two successful financial campaigns and navigating the challenges of World War II. During this time, she also maintained her work with refugees, serving as “chairman of the committee for foreign born” with the Houston Chapter of the Council of Jewish Women from 1943 to 1944.
By November 1945, a new executive director, Donald Hurwitz, was hired. Adele then returned to her role with the Refugee Services Committee. Her dedication extended beyond the council as she became a member of the Southwest Executive Committee of the Joint Distribution Committee in 1947. In 1948, she was recognized as one of four Houstonians appointed to the National Welfare Directors.
Sadly, Adele Heyman passed away from cancer on Aug. 17, 1948, at the age of 67. Her obituary was featured on the front page of the Jewish Herald-Voice. Though a trailblazer and leader of her time, her name had faded from collective memory — until now.
Thanks to the donation of the Jewish Federation board minutes and the efforts supported by the Samuels Family Foundation Grant, Adele Heyman’s remarkable story as a Houston Jewish leader has been rediscovered and restored.
Over the next six months, Adele led the council with strength and care while the board searched for a permanent director. Their top candidate, Mr. Arthur Rosichan from Pittsburgh, was reluctant to relocate to Houston for a temporary position. Despite his eventual interview, he requested a salary of $10,000 — an amount the board deemed too high.
As noted in the board minutes:
“Mr. Catchment raised the question as to why the situation could not remain as it was, with Mrs. Heyman as acting director. When this question was put to her, Mrs. Heyman stated that she felt Houston should have a man in the position, and the committee should continue to take steps toward obtaining a permanent director who would be able and willing to undertake the Houston requirements, but that she had never failed Houston in its needs, and would be willing to continue in the work until such time as that man could be obtained … Mr. Mayer asked whether there was any part of the work that was not being covered satisfactorily by Mrs. Heyman, and Mr. Zuber assured him that there was not. General discussion took place after which it was agreed that Mrs. Heyman would continue as acting director for the duration or until such time as a permanent director could be obtained who would be suitable from all angles. The motion was dropped and no official action was deemed necessary but to reply to Mr. Rosichan that his offer was not acceptable to the Committee.” (August 1944)
Adele continued as acting director for two years, leading the federation through two successful financial campaigns and navigating the challenges of World War II. During this time, she also maintained her work with refugees, serving as “chairman of the committee for foreign born” with the Houston Chapter of the Council of Jewish Women from 1943 to 1944.
By November 1945, a new executive director, Donald Hurwitz, was hired. Adele then returned to her role with the Refugee Services Committee. Her dedication extended beyond the council as she became a member of the Southwest Executive Committee of the Joint Distribution Committee in 1947. In 1948, she was recognized as one of four Houstonians appointed to the National Welfare Directors.
Sadly, Adele Heyman passed away from cancer on Aug. 17, 1948, at the age of 67. Her obituary was featured on the front page of the Jewish Herald-Voice. Though a trailblazer and leader of her time, her name had faded from collective memory — until now.
Thanks to the donation of the Jewish Federation board minutes and the efforts supported by the Samuels Family Foundation Grant, Adele Heyman’s remarkable story as a Houston Jewish leader has been rediscovered and restored.