Kramer, George

George Kramer (1887/1888-1955) and Sadie Nemser Kramer (1899-1978)

George and Sadie Kramer lived in Malden, Massachusetts and were very active in Malden’s Jewish community, dedicating their lives to the Zionist cause. The Kramers both attended Tufts University and met at their graduation. The dates of their engagement and wedding are unknown.

George Kramer went onto Tufts Dental School and graduated in 1912. While in school, he was an active member of the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity. In 1919, he returned to Tufts Dental School as a visiting professor in the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry. In 1954, he was elected to lifetime membership at the American Dental Association.

When George Kramer got involved with the Malden Zionist district, he quickly became the group’s president. He worked tirelessly to bring the Jewish community together to raise awareness of the persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe and to advocate for Palestine to become the Jewish homeland. He organized the Jewish War Veterans Memorial Service, along with dozens of other events such as debates, discussions, fundraisers, and lectures by honorable speakers such as the well-known Zionist activist Elihu Stone, and Rabbi Ber Boruchoff, one of Malden’s most respected Rabbis. George continued working for these causes with the United Jewish Appeal, and in 1948 he was given the Award for Distinguished Service to the Jewish People. The United Palestine Appeal also named Kramer a member of their National Council for Palestine.

Sadie Kramer was also committed to the Zionist cause and, along with her husband, played an important role in Malden’s Jewish community. Sadie was involved in Malden’s Hadassah chapter, of which she became president and was re-elected in 1931. While Chairman of Organization for the New England Region of Hadassah, she organized new chapters in Saugus (1955) and Wellesley (1964). Sadie was also involved with the Hebrew Ladies Charitable Society where she served as Chairman of Arrangements. One of Sadie’s most notable efforts was helping to organize the Mercy Dinner in 1939, which marked the opening of the United Jewish Campaign, where she was president of the Women’s Division. With 1400 guests, the Mercy Dinner was called “the largest Jewish gathering in the history of the city” by several newspapers. The United Jewish Campaign’s mission was to raise awareness of and provide aid for Jewish issues around the world.

In 1943, the Kramers were honored by the Jewish National Fund for their devotion to the Zionist ideal. The couple was also involved with Malden’s Masonic groups. George was elected as Noble Grand of his lodge, and Sadie was a lifetime member of the Germania chapter.

United States Census information from 1920 and 1930 indicate that George was born in Latvia or Russia in 1887 or 1888, and Sadie was born in Massachusetts in 1899. They had two children, Eunice (born circa 1920) and Robert (born circa 1924).

• 1912: George and Sadie Nemser Kramer graduate from Tufts University.
• 1919: George Kramer returns to Tufts as a visiting professor.
• 1931: Sadie Kramer re-elected as president of Malden’s Hadassah chapter.
• 1939: Mercy Dinner held.
• 1943: George and Sadie Kramer honored by Jewish National Fund.
• 1948: George Kramer gets Award for Distinguished Service to the Jewish People by the United Jewish Appeal.
• 1954: George Kramer elected to lifetime membership at the American Dental Society.
• 1955: Sadie Kramer organizes new Hadassah chapter in Saugus area.
• 1964: Mrs. Kramer organizes new Hadassah chapter in Wellesley.

From the guide to the George and Sadie Kramer, Papers, undated, 1900-1964, (American Jewish Historical Society)