Virtual Tour INDEX
People
Abravanel, Don Isaac
Berlin, Irving
Bernstein, Leonard
Brandeis, Louis D. ...
Zacuto, Abraham Places
Carnegie Hall (NY)
Hebrew University (Jerus.)
Monticello (VA)
Salk Institute (CA) ... Touro Synagogue (RI) Events Discovering New World Expulsion of Jews First Jewish Settlers Meeting Queen Isabella ... Titanic Disaster Bess Myerson medal designed by Alex Shagin. Bess Myerson (born 1924) Bess Myerson was the first (and, so far, only) Jewish Miss America. She went on to become a popular television personality, a public servant, and a philanthropist. Bess encountered anti-Semitism during the Miss America Pageant, when an official tried to convince her to change her name to one that was less ethnic, suggesting Betty Merrick. Bess refused. The dark haired statuesque (she was the tallest contestant at 5' 10") beauty was the first recipient of a scholarship, but none of the pageant's sponsors, including Catalina Swimsuits chose to use the Jewish beauty from the Bronx as a spokesperson.. During her year as Miss America, Ms. Myerson made many personal appearances. One of these was scheduled at an antebellum country club, but just before the event she was told that there had been a terrible mistake, the country club was restricted, and no Jewish person could possibly be welcomed there. | |
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