Vladeck Hall Tribute to Frank Schonfeld Feb 26

Vladeck Hall Tribute to Frank Schonfeld Feb 26, 2012 1 1916 -2011 Slides gathered by Jay Hauben

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In 1968, Schonfeld led the first general strike of New York painters in 23 years. 5

1977 Amalgamated Housing Cooperative Board of Directors Chairman Golden Anniversary Committee 6 Amalgamated Liaison Committee Energy Conservation Campaign

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Sources for the fight Frank Schonfeld led against corruption in the Painters Union See pages 166 to 172 See Chapter 5 8

Guide to the Frank Schonfeld Papers WAG 027 Elmer Holmes Bobst Library 70 Washington Square South New York, NY, 10012 (212) 998 -2630 tamiment. wagner@nyu. edu Tamiment Library / Wagner Archives Collection processed by Ted Casselman and Jane Latour, c. 1997, and Gail Malmgreen and Wendy Scheir, 2005. This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012 -01 -06 T 09: 530500 Description is in English. Descriptive Summary Creator: Schonfeld, Frank. Title: Frank Schonfeld Papers. Dates: Bulk, 19401979 Dates: 1909 -1992, (Bulk 1940 -1979)Abstract: Frank Schonfeld was born in 1916, and died in 2011. After some training as a rabbi, he studied in the Social Action program at the New School. After World War II service in the Merchant Marines, he joined Local 1011 of the Painters union in 1945. In 1961, Schonfeld ran for secretary-treasurer of Brotherhood of Painters District Council 9 (New York City). He lost and the winning Rarback administration sued him for libel. He then launched a public campaign to clean up corruption in the union 9

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Frank Schonfeld’s 2007 business card 11

Frank Schonfeld’s 2007 website http: //suicideorsurvival. blogspot. com/ 12

Global Suicide or Survival? by Frank Schonfeld Submitted to Ohmy. News International (South Korea) http: //english. ohmynews. com/ 13

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Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 09: 57: 19 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: Frank Schonfeld Dear Jean, David and Sari, Ronda and I are shedding tears for having lost such a wonderful person. Frank has been one of our main heroes from the very first time we saw him in Vladeck Hall. He gave us something to aim for: an active, honest, spirited life even into older age. . . 16

Why is Frank my hero: First, Frank accepted what I understand as the social obligation of a citizen, cooperator and union member to speak up for what one sees as important, to not be intimidated and to keep on if a fight is needed. Second, Frank demonstrated that sometimes a fight can be won, not often but sometimes. But if you don’t fight you can’t win. Third, Frank showed how to maintain dignity and spirit even when you might stand alone. For me, numbers don’t count. It is which side you are on that counts. Fourth, the image of Frank in my mind reinforces my conviction that within human society some will step forward to carry on 17 the fight for a more decent and democratic life. Jay Hauben

May our good memories of Frank keep his spirit alive and may many of us continue the fight for a better world to do honor to our hero Frank. 18

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