Straus Historical Society

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Straus Historical Society

Welcome to the Straus Historical Society
page! The history of the Straus family is part of world history. It is written for the present.

The Straus Historical Society fosters educational activities with respect to the settlement of Jews in the United States and, in particular, the family of Lazarus and Sara Straus, their ancestors and their descendants. The focus of the Society's activities on the Straus Family is based on the family's involvement in government, commerce, and philanthropy. It provokes discussion, imagination and cr

eation. It ties the present with the past and draws pathways to the future. Visit the Straus Room at the Rutgers University Virtual Museum of Public Service: www.vmps.us/straus-family

05/29/2026

Straus Scholarship Spotlight: Lashun Taylor

The Straus Historical Society is honored to recognize Lashun Taylor as a 2026 Straus Scholarship recipient, awarded a $5,000 scholarship in support of a deeply meaningful commitment to public service.

Lashun is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy at the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy.

After spending 31 years in state prison—15 of those in solitary confinement—Lashun has dedicated his life to advocacy and service, working with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. He is especially passionate about supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, whose experiences are often overlooked.

His work focuses on:
▪️ Gender-responsive reentry planning
▪️ Expanding rehabilitative and educational programs
▪️ Trauma-informed care and support

Lashun is committed to transforming systems that create barriers and ensuring that those impacted by incarceration are seen, supported, and empowered.

He shares:
“My story is painful, but it is also powerful. Through public service, I will make sure that it means something, not just for me, but for every person who still believes their life is over when, in reality, it is just beginning.”

Congratulations, Lashun, on this well-deserved honor and your inspiring dedication to justice, healing, and second chances.

Learn more about the 2026 winners: https://www.strausscholarship.org/

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, the Straus Historical Society honors the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

We remember their sacrifice with gratitude and reflect on the enduring values of courage, duty, and remembrance that shape our shared history.

May their legacy live on in our communities and in the stories we preserve.

05/21/2026

Straus Scholarship Spotlight: Anna Kaganova

The Straus Historical Society is proud to recognize Anna Kaganova as a 2026 Straus Scholarship recipient, awarded a $5,000 scholarship in support of her commitment to public service.

Anna is pursuing a Master’s in Global Business Administration at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Her work focuses on addressing a critical challenge in public service: bridging the gap between community needs and how resources are allocated. Anna is passionate about strengthening how institutions listen to and respond to the communities they serve—ensuring more equitable, sustainable, and accountable systems.

She aims to build a career at the intersection of finance, policy, and implementation, working with public agencies, philanthropic foundations, and nonprofit organizations to drive meaningful impact.

Anna shares:
“The contrasts between my two homes—one shaped by post-Soviet economic transition and institutional instability, the other a global financial and political center—sparked an early curiosity about how public systems function and whom they ultimately serve.”

Congratulations, Anna, on this well-deserved honor and your dedication to advancing equity and effectiveness in public service.

Learn more about our 2026 winners: https://www.strausscholarship.org/

05/17/2026

Straus Scholarship Spotlight: Ariane Gottlieb

The Straus Historical Society is proud to recognize Ariane Gottlieb as a 2026 Straus Scholarship recipient, awarded a $5,000 scholarship in support of her commitment to public service.

Ariane is pursuing a Master’s degree at the American University School of International Service in Global Governance, Politics, and Security, with concentrations in State, Society and Politics, and Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance.

Her academic work is focused on strengthening democratic integrity and addressing the rise of authoritarianism worldwide. Ariane is especially interested in research that bridges democracy and human rights, helping to inform policies that support resilient, inclusive governance.

She aspires to build a career in foreign policy think tanks, contributing meaningful research that advances democratic values on a global scale.

Ariane shares:
“I want to use my research and professional skills to build a more democratic future for Americans and those around the world.”

Congratulations, Ariane, on this well-deserved honor and your dedication to advancing democracy and human rights.

Learn more about the 2026 winners: https://www.strausscholarship.org/

05/13/2026

Straus Scholarship Spotlight: Noam Shapiro

The Straus Historical Society is proud to announce Noam Shapiro as the 2026 recipient of the Paul A. Kurzman Memorial Scholarship, continuing the Straus family legacy of public service.

Noam is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, concentrating in Environmental Science & Policy.

His research explores how environmental cooperation can foster peace and stability—both domestically and in regions like the Middle East. His work focuses on innovative climate policy solutions, including:
▪️ Alternatives to vehicle emission standards
▪️ Low carbon fuel strategies
▪️ Reducing vehicle miles traveled
▪️ Expanding electric vehicle incentives

Noam is passionate about advancing sustainability, water safety, and emissions reduction through public policy, with aspirations to serve in state or city government as a policy analyst or legislative advisor.

He shares:
“I have dedicated my efforts to passing federal and state legislation to reduce greenhouse gases and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, especially for low-income communities and communities of color.”

Congratulations, Noam, on this well-deserved honor and your commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future.

Learn more about the 2026 Winners: https://www.strausscholarship.org/

05/10/2026

Today we honor the love, strength, and endless sacrifices of mothers and mother figures everywhere. From the smallest acts of kindness to the greatest displays of courage, you inspire us every day with your unwavering support and care.

Whether you're near or far, take time to celebrate the incredible women who have shaped our lives with their wisdom and compassion.

Thank you, Moms — for everything.

05/08/2026

Straus Scholarship Spotlight: Alya Ruiz

The Straus Historical Society is proud to announce Alya Ruiz as the 2026 recipient of the Al Berr Memorial Scholarship—honoring a continued legacy of public service.

Alya is currently pursuing a Master of International Affairs at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, concentrating in International Security and Diplomacy, with a minor in Political Development and Governance.

Her work centers on diplomacy, mediation, and reconciliation, with a strong focus on:
▪️ Humanitarian crisis management
▪️ Human rights protection
▪️ Conflict mitigation & post-conflict reconstruction

Alya is also deeply committed to advancing gender equity in labor and education, and expanding women’s economic and political inclusion.

With aspirations to serve as a political officer in the U.S. Foreign Service, Alya shares:

“My ultimate goal is to continue my work in public service through assisting those affected by authoritarianism, instability, and conflict; integrating human rights protections into policy reforms; and becoming a leader in the field of post-conflict reconstruction.”

Congratulations, Alya, on this well-deserved honor and your inspiring commitment to global public service.

Learn more about the 2026 scholarship winners: https://www.strausscholarship.org/

05/04/2026

The Straus Historical Society is proud to announce the 2026 Straus Scholarship recipients. Alya Ruiz has been awarded the Al Berr Memorial Scholarship, and Noam Shapiro has been awarded the Paul A. Kurzman Memorial Scholarship, each receiving $6,000. Ariane Gottlieb, Anna Kaganova, and Lashun Taylor have each received a $5,000 Straus Scholarship.

We are also pleased to recognize Peter Fitzgerald, Alexander Jones, Kenzo Morabia, Lucy Nguyen, and Grace Wineinger as Honorary Straus Scholars for 2026.

Our deepest thanks go to Marc Holzer, Professor Lisa Mahajan Cusack of Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration, and Dennis Martino of Springfield College for their invaluable service as judges. Their dedication ensures the continued success of the SHS Scholarship Program.

These scholarships are made possible through your generous donations. Learn more about contributing and supporting the Straus Scholarship at the link below.

https://www.strausscholarship.org/donations.html

05/01/2026

Jewish American Heritage Month is an annual recognition and celebration of American Jews' achievements and contributions to the United States. We celebrate the vibrant and diverse American Jewish experience and acknowledge the many accomplishments of our Jewish neighbors and community members. We recognize the struggle Jewish Americans continue to face and stand in solidarity against anti-Semitism.
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04/28/2026

Almost 100 years later, the Park is still the focal point of this Upper West Side neighborhood’s activities. A not-for-profit group, Friends of Straus Park, holds regular events including art shows, concerts, neighborhood cleanups, plantings and readings. Memory, a beautiful allegorical statue, looks down on the people of New York, seemingly happy not to have been forgotten. Her design, by the artist Augustus Lukeman, was chosen because it “represented a scheme of peaceful contemplation over a sheet of water, leaving it to the meditative public to muse over the sacrifice that the same element demanded of the Titanic disaster.”

Learn more: fospark.com

04/25/2026

Memorial services for Isidor and Ida Straus were held around the world. 6,000 people attended the service at Carnegie Hall on May 12th and many thousand stood outside in the rain, unable to gain admittance to the hall. A reported 40,000 attended memorial services for the Strauses. Within two months of the sinking of the Titanic, a committee was formed, contributions were being collected, and Straus Park was planned as a memorial to the nobility and heroism of the Strauses. It was dedicated April 15, 1915.

Learn more: fospark.com

Address

Post Office Box 416
Smithtown, NY
11787

Telephone

+16317244487

Website

http://straushistoricalsociety.org/

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