The “Kitchen Cabinet”

 By the 1920s Youngstown’s Zionist movement was strong enough to earn the city the reputation of being the “Hot Bed of Zionism.” A small group of local Zionist leaders driving the religious faction were known as the “Kitchen Cabinet.” The name came from the informal meetings that would take place in family homes and kitchens. Members included David I. Fish, Abe Kamenetzky, Oscar Altshuler, and Louis Ozersky. These men, without formal organization or guiding bylaws, made decisions about raising money and strategies for promoting the Zionist movement in Youngstown. These men were able to work efficiently and affectively to bring numerous speakers and events to Youngstown.

 “Kitchen Cabinet” member Oscar Altshuler was elect early on to serve as an officer in the Ohio State Zionist League. Shortly thereafter, Youngstown was to hold the State Zionist convention in November 1918. The benefits of such a large event were reciprocal: Youngstown did a lot for the state movement and the convention assisted the Zionist movement in the city. Following the meeting, several prominent members of the Jewish community, who had been hesitant to join the Zionist before, committed themselves to the “national aspirations of the Jewish people.”

 Another influential member of the original “Cabinet” was David Fish. In 1921, he led a fund raising campaign to build a hospital in Palestine. Also during this time, Fish became an active member of the Jewish National Fund, Youngstown Jewish Federation, and was elected president of the local Zionist District. He was also a founder of the Anshe Emeth Temple.

 Abe Kamenetzky and Louis Ozersky were equally as active. Kamenetzky was highly involved in the Temple Emanuel congregation by serving on the board of directors. He also helped with the management of the Youngstown Hebrew Institute. Ozersky was the president and founder of both the Youngstown Hebrew Institute and the Congregation Temple Emanuel. He was a member of the Zionist Council of Youngstown, B’nai B’rith Lodge, and Ohio State Zionist League. In addition, Ozersky was a founder and member of the Jewish Federation of Youngstown.  

 The “Kitchen Cabinet” may have been a small group, but they were influential to say the least. The original members contributed significantly to the growth and success of the Zionist movement in Youngstown. [1]

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