In 1930, the population of Newark soars to 442,842. It becomes one of the nation's leading industrial centers with a large and diverse work force. The accumulation of local wealth encourages philanthropy, and donors assist The Beth in building a beautiful modern tower that stands as the hub of a growing medical center.

The hospital also becomes a world-class institution with renowned surgeons Eugene Parsonnet, M.D., Victor Parsonnet, M.D., and his son helping to lead the way. During the 1930s and 1940s, physicians throughout The Beth focus on research more than ever before. The nation's first hospital-based blood bank is soon established; pioneering work is initiated on sulfa drugs and blood derivatives; plus significant advances are made in the treatment of hemophilia.

Every pregnancy is an event of great promise for any family. However, up to this time a large number of newborns who are apparently healthy, routinely do not survive. In the 1940s, The Beth becomes known for its research in blood diseases, and Philip Levine, M.D., is responsible for defining the role of the Rh factor in a hemolytic disease found in  newborn babies. This research leads to a method of diagnosing such pregnancies, allowing a much greater number of newborns to survive.  Many experts list this as one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the twentieth century.

"The Great Depression" plunges Newark into a nightmare of closed plants and widespread unemployment. True to its original promise, however, The Beth continues to accept all who apply for care, regardless of their ability to pay. Wounds are bound, bones are set, babies are born, and all forms of injuries and illnesses are addressed. Yet, the Depression causes The Beth to fall on difficult times. Financial support that is budgeted from the Newark Welfare Federation and monies pledged from within the Jewish community unfortunately do not materialize. Consequently, the hospital is compelled to initiate an aggressive fund-raising program. Under the leadership of hospital chairman Abraham Lichtman, a group known as The Beth Israel Legion succeeds in securing critically needed funds. The hospital honors its commitment to not turn anyone away, and eventually not only survives but thrives.

World War II snaps much of the country out of the depression and into a relentless, around-the-clock push to provide resources for our military forces. The problem at The Beth is no longer a financial one---rather, a shortage of highly qualified personnel. Doctors and nurses are needed for the war effort, and everyone learns how to accomplish more with less.

The practice of medicine is revolutionized as a result of battlefield experience gained during the war. Lessons learned about the control of infection and the treatment of massive trauma are applied at the civilian level with great success. A spirit of discovery begins to take hold at the hospital inspiring new research and procedures never before thought possible.

Circa1928 - First African-American Is Born At The Beth
James Hollaway, Jr. (shown in photo) holds the distinction of becoming the first African-American person to be born at The Beth.  

1928 - Major Dental Clinic Is Founded At The Beth
Since its inception, The Beth has included dentistry in its vast repository of medical services. The Beth has the foresight to initiate the first Dental Residency in New Jersey---one of the first in the country. The Beth's Community Dental Health Center (shown in photo) is founded and grows to become a major source of dental services for Newark's South Ward.

The Beth Is Home For America's First African-American Chief Of Dental Services
Charles Johnson, D.D.S. (shown in photo) becomes Chief of Dental Services at The Beth. He is the first African-American to hold such a position anywhere in the nation. The Charles Johnson Memorial Lecture, a Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Program, is later named in his honor.  

	The New Beth Hospital Is Opened A new 12-story, Spanish-style hospital (shown in photos) with 350 beds, a 5-story school of nursing and 4-story outpatient service building is opened. This helps usher in an exciting new era of major medical expansion at The Beth.
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The entire complex costs $3.5 million, nearly one-third of which is pledged by Felix Fuld. A large marble plaque is carved and inscribed with the names of the visionaries who fulfilled their dreams by establishing a place where future generations will come for healing and comfort.
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Children's Ward Is Endowed At The Beth
The new children's ward (shown in photo) helps children flourish for generations, when it is generously endowed in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cohen.  

Carolyn Fuld Donates 2,000 Trees
Carolyn Fuld, sister of Louis Bamberger and wife of Felix Fuld, also has a lasting effect on Newark. Mrs. Fuld donates 2,000 cherry blossom trees to the Essex County Park Commission. This singular act of generosity helps establish New Jersey as "The Garden State." The trees were imported from Japan and raised on her East Orange estate.  

1929 - Stock Market Crash Has Devastating Impact On Newark The stock market crash in October shocks the nation (shown in photo), and the depression tightens its grip on Newark.
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Circa1930 - Hospital Balls Held At Mosque Theatre
In the 1920s and early 1930s, hospital auxiliary balls are frequently held at Mosque Theatre ballroom. Even after his retirement, Louis Bamberger continues to act as honorary chairperson and a key sponsor of these events.

More Medical Firsts Performed At The Beth
Rita Finkler, M.D., develops the Department of Endocrinology at The Beth and performs the State of New Jersey's first pregnancy tests.

The Beth Initiates Critical Bone Marrow Studies
Newark Beth Israel Hospital changes medicine again as it conducts the nation's very first clinical bone marrow aspiration studies.

Esther Untermann Departs For A Convention Esther Untermann (shown in art) waves to reporters as she departs for a national convention representing Newark businesswomen. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Weequahic Adult School and one of the nation's first female judges.  

School Activities At Weequahic Park For several decades, school functions and special events are held at Weequahic Park (shown in photo) on a regular basis.
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1930 - Establishment Of The First Medical Residency At Beth Israel Hospital
The hospital's first residency training program is established in the field of pathology. This program is the first formally approved pathology residency in the state. The first Director of Pathology at The Beth is the world-renowned William Antopole, M.D.

1931 - Edward Koch Moves To Newark
Edward Koch (shown in illustration) moves to Spruce Street in Newark after his father, a furrier, falls on difficult financial times. Mr. Koch later becomes the Honorable Mayor of The City of New York from 1977 until 1989.

1932 - Newark Bears Win Baseball Pennant Race
The Bears win baseball's International League Pennant by 25 games securing the team's, and Newark's first pennant title. The performance of players such as Red Rolfe, Joe Gordon, Dixie Walker, Spud Chandler and Bob Seeds sends sportswriters looking for new superlatives. Newark's pride of the 1930s, however, is the great slugger Charlie Keller (shown in photo).

1933 - Annual Healthy Baby Contest Held At Beth Israel Hospital
An early Beth Israel Alumni Association holds an annual healthy baby contest. Believe it or not, one of the event's most coveted prizes is a ton of coal.

Future Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Is Born At Beth Israel Hospital
Best-selling author, Philip Roth (shown in photo), is born at The Beth. He later graduates from Weequahic High School in 1950 as part of a graduating class of 175. Roth later matriculates to Bucknell University. Following his graduation, he teaches at several colleges and universities around the country including Princeton University and University of Chicago. Roth wins numerous prestigious writers' awards including the coveted Pulitzer Prize. Perhaps more than anyone else, he enlightens readers the world over about the City of Newark, its people, culture, neighborhoods and society. Some of Roth's classics include American Pastoral, Portnoy's Complaint and Goodbye Columbus.

Nazi Persecution Is Protested
Two thousand local citizens fill Newark's Fuld Hall to strenuously protest the Nazi persecution of Jews in Europe.

1936 - Hebrew Is Taught At Weequahic High
Weequahic High School (shown in photos) is the first public school in New Jersey, and one of the first in America, to offer its classes in Hebrew.   

Mayor Ellenstein Elected First Jewish Mayor Of Newark
The Honorable Meyer Ellenstein (shown in photo) serves two terms as mayor from 1933 to 1941. He is the first and only Jewish mayor in Newark's history. Ellenstein previously graduated at the top of his class at Columbia University in 1912 in the field of dentistry. As mayor, he is known throughout Newark as something of a "Robin Hood" --helping the poor whenever possible. He is a colorful figure who, at one time or another, is also a lawyer and boxer, fighting under the name "Kid" Meyer.

1937 - First Blood Bank Is Established At Newark Beth Israel Hospital
The hospital again changes the future of medicine in Newark and around the country, as it establishes America's first blood bank in a voluntary hospital.

1938 - Tea Room Opens At The Beth
The Tea Room (shown in photo) is opened at The Beth. This area of the hospital later becomes the site of the Respiratory Therapy offices.           

Circa1940

Newark's Connie Francis Has Success In Hollywood
Popular singer and screen actress Connie Francis (shown in illustration) is born in Newark. She becomes the top-selling female recording artist of the late '50s and early '60s with hits such as "Who's Sorry Now?," "Lipstick On Your Collar" and "Where The Boys Are." She also appears in numerous successful box office films from 1961 to 1965.

1941
Renowned Beth Cardiologist Dr. Aaron Parsonnet
Newark Beth Israel Hospital Board Member, Aaron Parsonnet, M.D., (shown in photo) is recognized as one of the world's leading cardiologists.

Famed Author Moves To Newark
An African-American native of rural Georgia, author Curtis Lucas moves to Newark. In 1946, he publishes the critically acclaimed novel, Third Ward Newark.

Singer/Songwriter Paul Simon Is Born In Newark
The international award-winning singer/songwriter Paul Simon (shown in art) is born in Newark. He later pairs with Art Garfunkel to record scores of hit songs including "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "The Sounds of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson." His gold and platinum selling Grammy award-winning recordings and sold-out concerts make him one of the world's most sought after entertainers for decades.

1943
First Triplets Born At The Hospital
The Rose Triplets (shown in photo), including Jack, Marsha and Art Rose, are celebrated as the first triplets born at Newark Beth Israel Hospital.

Beth Physicians Staff U.S. Army Hospital
The United States Army Air Corps constructs a 188-bed hospital in Weequahic Park to care for wounded Army personnel. The make-shift hospital is largely staffed with physicians from The Beth.

Nursing Class At The Beth Graduates
The proud class of 1943 (shown in photo) from The Beth's School of Nursing poses for a cherished graduation photograph.

Future Lieutenant, Pro Football Player Graduates In Newark
Army Airborne Lieutenant Bradley Biggs (shown in photo), a graduate of Barringer High School, becomes one of the "sweet sixteen" --- the world's first parachute platoon of African-American soldiers. Prior to his military career, Biggs is a star athlete at Barringer High. He later becomes a successful professional football player with New York's Brown Bombers.

Temple B'nai Abraham Continues To Thrive
Temple B'nai Abraham is a hub of Jewish spiritual activities of the day. Later, the beautiful structure becomes the site of Deliverance Temple, a popular African-American church.

Singer Gloria Gaynor Born In Newark
Pop and R&B singing sensation, Gloria Gaynor (shown in illustration) is born in Newark. She has numerous hits in the 1970s. One of her biggest is "I Will Survive" which earns her the title of "The First Lady of Disco."

1947
First Resident At Beth Israel Hospital
Dr. Burton Levine is The Beth's first medical resident. He serves as the editor of The Beth's internationally recognized Journal and is later named president of the medical staff. His association with The Beth spans more than 50 years.

1948
Fresh Air Treatment Is Utilized At The Beth
Receiving fresh air throughout the day is deemed to be a vital part of the recovery process. It becomes a routine treatment regimen at The Beth's fifth-floor solarium (shown in photo).

African-American Physicians
Pushing aside rebuffs and discourtesies, the Interracial Council induces City Hospital to open its rolls to African-American physicians, when E. Mae McCarroll, M.D., (shown in photo) and Clarence Jannifer, M.D., are appointed to the staff. In 1953, Dr. McCarroll is appointed Deputy Health Officer for the City of Newark.

1948
Newark's Jewish Population Continues To Grow
Newark has the seventh largest Jewish population in the United States and comprises about 12 percent of the city's population. Most Jewish persons reside in the Weequahic and Clinton Hills sections of town.

1949
Alan Lowenstein Creates The Hospital's First Home Care Program
Alan Lowenstein spearheads an effort to create a home care program to assist Newark and The Beth in becoming leaders in providing much needed care for the chronically ill.

First African-American Women Admitted To New Jersey Bar
Miss Marie B. Johnson of Newark has the distinction of becoming one of the first two African-American women to be admitted to the New Jersey Bar Association.

First Italian-American Mayor Of Newark Elected
Newark's first Italian-American mayor, The Honorable Ralph A. Villani (shown in illustration) is elected. His long public career previously includes service as a Municipal Judge, as well as winning three elections to the City Commission as a City Councilman.

1950
Newark's Judy Lynn Is A Major Hollywood Star
The beautiful singer, actress and Newark native Judy Lynn (shown in photo) lives on Hansbury Avenue in Newark. She stars in the highly popular show Top Banana in 1953.

Our First Issue Of The Journal Is Praised
The first issue of the Journal of the Newark Beth Israel Hospital is released. The publication is later heralded as one of the world's foremost medical journals by the medical community.

1951
"The Leaguers" Is Founded In Newark
Reynold E. Burch, Ph.D., and his wife Mrs. Mary B. Burch (shown in photo) become founders and directors of the Leaguers, an African-American group which conducts educational and social programs for young people.  Mrs. Burch is also a Trustee of Kean College and a member of the Newark Board of Education.

Football "Hall Of Famer" Is Born In Newark
Professional football "Hall of Famer" Drew Pearson (shown in illustration) is born in Newark. A college standout, he goes on to become one of the NFL's all-time leading receivers. Pearson plays in three Super Bowl games in his 10-year career with the Dallas Cowboys and is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Circa 1952
State's First Hemophilia Center Opens At Beth Israel Hospital
The Beth continues to break medical ground as it opens the State of New Jersey's first hemophilia center. It is among the first such centers in America.

State's First Radioisotope Bank Opens At The Beth
The Beth opens the state's first, and one of the nation's first Radioisotope Bank and Treatment Center, which is licensed by the Atomic Energy Commission.

1953
Jewish News Celebrates Philanthropic Heroes
In an editorial printed in the Jewish News, Jewish philanthropic leader and Conference of Jewish Charities board member Julius Cohn writes, "the soul of  a community is mainly measured by the degree of generosity exercised by its citizens."

First African-American Elected To City Leadership
Irvine I. Turner becomes the first African-American elected to city leadership in Newark. This victory places the African-American community in the political winner's circle, joining members of other ethnic groups including Jews, Irish-Americans and Italian-Americans.

1954
Newark's Marvelous Marvin Hagler Is Born
Boxing sensation Marvelous Marvin Hagler (shown in illustration) is born in Newark. He becomes one of the most dominating middleweight fighters in history, defending his World Championship title 12 times.