The Titanic, the Straus Brothers and Jerusalem

Although I have never seen the film Titanic, I have been to the Straus Medical Center in Jerusalem which has been treating people since the 1920s. As we approach the 113^th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, I explore the lives of Isidor and Ida Straus, who gave up their space on the lifeboat to save others, and Nathan and Lina Straus who saved countless lives through their milk pasteurization project and philanthropy in Jerusalem.

Learn about the struggle of Lazarus and Sarah Straus, who left Germany for a better life in the United States, lost everything in the Civil War and made it back again through Macy’s Department Store. Hear the words of Lina Straus, who fell in love with the Land of Israel and saw an opportunity to help the cause of Jewish pioneers and Zionism.

Straus Medical Center on Straus Street in Jerusalem. Credit: Ben Bresky

Exhibit inside Straus Medical Center show Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah. Credit: Ben Bresky

Lazarus and Sara Straus circa 1860 left Germany ands settled in Georgia. They lost everything in the Civil War and restarted in New York.

From left to right: Brothers Nathan Straus, Oscar Straus and Isidor Straus. Credit: The Outlook v.132, 1922.

Ida and Isidor Straus. New York philanthropists. Ida gave her coat to her maid and urged her to board the lifeboat while she refused to leave her husband on the Titanic.

Nathan and Lena Straus funded milk stations, and soups kitchens in New York and Jerusalem. Credit: Library of Congress, 1900, Bain News Service.

Elderly and needy Jerusalemites waiting outside the Nathan Straus soup kitchen for distribution of food, 1925. Credit: Israeli Government Press Office.

Nathan Straus’ First Milk Depot, opened in the summer of 1893. Credit: Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library, Columbia University

Credit: Disease in Milk; The Remedy, Pasteurization; The Life work of Nathan Straus by Mrs. Lina Gutherz Straus, 1917

Courtyard of the Straus Medical Center, Jerusalem, 2020. Credit: Ben Bresky

NOTES:

• Disease in Milk; The Remedy, Pasteurization: The Life Work of Nathan Straus by Lina Straus, 1917

• Jerusalem Committee Formed for Straus Non-sectarian Health Center - JTA, 1926

• Nathan Straus Presents Health Center in Jerusalem to Hadassah - JTA, 1927

• The Truth about the Titanic Story - Jerusalem Post

• Biography of Nathan Straus by Rabbi David de Sola Pool - American Jewish year Book

• The Heroism of Mrs. Isidor Straus - Well known New York couple who died together - Jewish Independent, April, 1912

• Passing of Nathan Straus - Jewish Independent, January 1931

• Origins of the Straus Family - Straus Historical Society

• Nathan Straus and the Milk Stations That Saved the Lives of New York City Kids

• Great-grandson of elderly 'Titanic' couple shares their real story - Today

• My podcast on Hadassah Hospital