Kaufman, Theodore Newman (18120159) - Revision history

Admin: Section order: Research notes above Sources

2026-09-25T04:11:38Z

Section order: Research notes above Sources

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	After the war Kaufman withdrew from public life; the philosopher Berel Lang later failed to trace him in Newark records. He and his wife appear in the 1947 Montclair, New Jersey, directory, where he was listed in the painted textile business, and from 1949 to 1981 they sold "Charcrust Broil-It" barbecue seasoning from their home in East Orange, New Jersey. He died in East Orange on 1 April 1986.		After the war Kaufman withdrew from public life; the philosopher Berel Lang later failed to trace him in Newark records. He and his wife appear in the 1947 Montclair, New Jersey, directory, where he was listed in the painted textile business, and from 1949 to 1981 they sold "Charcrust Broil-It" barbecue seasoning from their home in East Orange, New Jersey. He died in East Orange on 1 April 1986.

	~~== Research notes ==~~

	== Gallery ==		== Gallery ==
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	\|}		\|}

			== Research notes ==

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: Regenerate biography chronologically, merging site records with Wikipedia (replaces pasted text)

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Regenerate biography chronologically, merging site records with Wikipedia (replaces pasted text)

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 <div class="soldier-lead">
-Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer.
+'''Theodore Newman Kaufman''' (22 February 1910 &ndash; 1 April 1986), sometimes wrongly called Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American businessman and pamphleteer whose self-published 1941 tract ''Germany Must Perish!'' was exploited by Nazi propaganda, and who trained at [[Camp Ritchie]] with [[:Category:Class 5|Class 5]] during World War II.
 </div>
 == Biography ==
-Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer.
+Theodore Newman Kaufman was born in Manhattan on 22 February 1910 to a Jewish family, the son of Anton Kaufman, a former reporter for the Berliner Morgen-Zeitung who had emigrated from Berlin in 1905, and Fannie Newman, who had married in March 1909. He had three brothers, Herbert, Julian, and Leonard. He attended South Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, graduating around 1928. In 1934 he and his blind father were arrested for robbing Sandor Alexander Balint of Budapest, from whom they had bought a wine-aging formula that they had come to consider worthless. His mother died in 1939.
-In 1939, he published pamphlets as "chairman of the American Federation of Peace" that argued that Americans should be sterilized so that their children will no longer have to fight in foreign wars. The text was criticised for its extremism and generated limited attention in the United States. It was mostly used in Nazi propaganda, using it as proof that Jews were plotting for the genocide of the German people.
+Kaufman ran a small advertising and ticket agency in South Orange, New Jersey, published the ''New Jersey Legal Record'', and founded the Argyle Press in Newark to issue his political pamphlets. A radical opponent of American involvement in European wars, in 1939 he wrote as president, and probably sole member, of an "American Federation of Peace". One pamphlet, "Passive Purchase", proposed a two-week curtailment of consumer spending to show opposition to intervention while calling for the strongest possible defense of the United States; another urged Congress to sterilize Americans rather than send them to a foreign war. The tracts drew little notice. In 1941 he self-published ''Germany Must Perish!'', which called for the mass sterilization of German men under 65 and most German women under 45 and the partition of Germany among its neighbors. Joseph Goebbels read it that August and seized on it, writing in his diary that its Jewish author had done Germany a real service and that the book could not have been better had it been written for the Nazis. The propaganda ministry used the book as supposed proof of a Jewish plan to destroy the German people in pamphlets, posters, and press guidance throughout the war, as late as a five-page section in the 1944 booklet ''Never!''. Kaufman rejected the suggestion that his book had prompted Nazi measures against Jews, noting that such cruelty long predated it.
-He was born in Manhattan, on February 22, 1910, to Anton Kaufman and Fannie Newman. He was born to a Jewish family. His parents had married on March 14, 1909. His father had been a reporter for the Berliner Morgen-Zeitung in Berlin before emigrating to the United States in 1905. Theodore's three brothers were Herbert, Julian, and Leonard.
+Kaufman entered the Army as a private at Santa Fe, New Mexico, on 24 April 1942 (ASN 18120159), and on 23 November 1942 he married Jean Siris in a civil ceremony in Harris County, Texas. Because of his language abilities he was sent to Camp Ritchie, where he trained with [[:Category:Class 5|Class 5]] (certificate 1058) and was recorded as a master sergeant; he served overseas. His three brothers also served in the war.
-He attended South Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, and graduated around 1928.
+After the war Kaufman withdrew from public life; the philosopher Berel Lang later failed to trace him in Newark records. He and his wife appear in the 1947 Montclair, New Jersey, directory, where he was listed in the painted textile business, and from 1949 to 1981 they sold "Charcrust Broil-It" barbecue seasoning from their home in East Orange, New Jersey. He died in East Orange on 1 April 1986.
 == Research notes ==
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 == Gallery ==
 ''After you are autoconfirmed, [[Special:Upload|upload a photo]] and add <code><nowiki>[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|caption]]</nowiki></code> here, or set <code>|photo=Example.jpg</code> in the infobox.''
 == Technical record ==

Admin: Expand documented full name in infobox and lead

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Expand documented full name in infobox and lead

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	\|surname=Kaufman		\|surname=Kaufman
	\|first=Theodore		\|first=Theodore
	\|middle=N.		\|middle=Newman
	\|class_section=5		\|class_section=5
	\|class_rank=M/Sgt		\|class_rank=M/Sgt

Admin: Admin moved page Kaufman, Theodore N. (18120159) to Kaufman, Theodore Newman (18120159) without leaving a redirect: Expand documented middle name: Newman

2026-09-20T20:13:33Z

Admin moved page Kaufman, Theodore N. (18120159) to Kaufman, Theodore Newman (18120159) without leaving a redirect: Expand documented middle name: Newman

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 20 September 2026
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Admin: Normalize place format (birth_place: New York City, New York, U.S. -> New York City, New York; death_place: East Orange, New Jersey, U.S. -> East Orange, New Jersey)

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Normalize place format (birth_place: New York City, New York, U.S. -> New York City, New York; death_place: East Orange, New Jersey, U.S. -> East Orange, New Jersey)

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	\|birth_date=22 February 1910		\|birth_date=22 February 1910
	\|death_date=1 April 1986		\|death_date=1 April 1986
	\|birth_place=New York City, New York~~, U.S.~~		\|birth_place=New York City, New York
	\|death_place=East Orange, New Jersey~~, U.S.~~		\|death_place=East Orange, New Jersey
	\|known_for=Germany Must Perish!		\|known_for=Germany Must Perish!
	\|alias=Theodore Newman Kaufman		\|alias=Theodore Newman Kaufman

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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==


	Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer.		Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer.

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	A possible plea to Congress. ... Have Us All Sterilized! ... If You Plan On Sending Us To A Foreign War ... Spare Us Any Possibility Of Ever Bringing Children Into This World — Into This Country Of Ours!		A possible plea to Congress. ... Have Us All Sterilized! ... If You Plan On Sending Us To A Foreign War ... Spare Us Any Possibility Of Ever Bringing Children Into This World — Into This Country Of Ours!

	~~250px\|left\|thumb\|Map showing Kaufman's proposed dismemberment of Germany (and Austria).~~

	Two years later he shifted his focus to the forced mass-sterilization of all German men under 65 and the sterilization of most German women under 45. This would eliminate "inbred Germanism," he proposed, thus solving a great deal of humanity's problems. He also promoted the distribution of Germany's lands among the neighboring countries. His effort was spearheaded by the self-publication of the book Germany Must Perish!		Two years later he shifted his focus to the forced mass-sterilization of all German men under 65 and the sterilization of most German women under 45. This would eliminate "inbred Germanism," he proposed, thus solving a great deal of humanity's problems. He also promoted the distribution of Germany's lands among the neighboring countries. His effort was spearheaded by the self-publication of the book Germany Must Perish!
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	Kaufman and his wife appear in the Montclair, New Jersey Directory in 1947. He is listed as being in the painted textile business at 50 Church Street, Montclair. From 1949 through 1981, the Kaufmans sold "Charcrust Broil-It" barbecue seasoning powder from their home in East Orange, NJ.		Kaufman and his wife appear in the Montclair, New Jersey Directory in 1947. He is listed as being in the painted textile business at 50 Church Street, Montclair. From 1949 through 1981, the Kaufmans sold "Charcrust Broil-It" barbecue seasoning powder from their home in East Orange, NJ.


	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==

Admin: Clarify museum roster and Dan Gross research sources

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Clarify museum roster and Dan Gross research sources

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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_N._Kaufman Wikipedia: Theodore N. Kaufman]		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_N._Kaufman Wikipedia: Theodore N. Kaufman]
	* Camp Ritchie ~~class roster~~ (~~classes~~ 1–31), ~~merged~~ research ~~file~~		* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
			* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
	* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)		* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
	* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)		* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)

Admin: Normalize nativity/religion; split arm of service from branch

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Normalize nativity/religion; split arm of service from branch

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	\|birth_year=1910		\|birth_year=1910
	\|death_year=1986		\|death_year=1986
	\|nativity=US		\|nativity=United States
	\|religion=H		\|religion=Jewish
	\|enlistment_place=SANTA FE NEW MEXICO		\|enlistment_place=SANTA FE NEW MEXICO
	\|state=NEW JERSEY		\|state=NEW JERSEY

Admin: Enrich from Wikipedia: Theodore N. Kaufman

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Enrich from Wikipedia: Theodore N. Kaufman

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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==

	Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer. In 1939, he published pamphlets as "chairman of the American Federation of Peace" that argued that Americans should be sterilized so that their children will no longer have to fight in foreign wars. The text was criticised for its extremism and generated limited attention in the United States.

	It was mostly used in Nazi propaganda, using it as proof that Jews were plotting for the genocide of the German people.		Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer.

			In 1939, he published pamphlets as "chairman of the American Federation of Peace" that argued that Americans should be sterilized so that their children will no longer have to fight in foreign wars. The text was criticised for its extremism and generated limited attention in the United States. It was mostly used in Nazi propaganda, using it as proof that Jews were plotting for the genocide of the German people.

			He was born in Manhattan, on February 22, 1910, to Anton Kaufman and Fannie Newman. He was born to a Jewish family. His parents had married on March 14, 1909. His father had been a reporter for the Berliner Morgen-Zeitung in Berlin before emigrating to the United States in 1905. Theodore's three brothers were Herbert, Julian, and Leonard.

			He attended South Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, and graduated around 1928.

			In 1934, he was arrested along with his blind father, Anton Kaufman, for the robbery of Sandor Alexander Balint of Budapest. Balint had developed a process to increase the aging of wine. The Kaufmans had purchased this formula from Balint, but later came to believe that the formula was "worthless". Theodore Kaufman's mother died in 1939.

			Kaufman became the owner of a small advertising agency and ticket agency in South Orange, New Jersey. He published the New Jersey Legal Record. Kaufman founded the Argyle Press of Newark, New Jersey to publish his political pamphlets.

			Kaufman was a radical intent on preventing American involvement in future wars in Europe. In 1939, under the auspices of the "American Federation of Peace", an unknown entity of which he was the president and probably only member, Kaufman produced several publications. One pamphlet, titled "Passive Purchase" advocated the establishment of a two-week period during which Americans would curtail their spending in order to demonstrate public opposition to American intervention in European conflicts. In a section of the pamphlet on the American Federation of Peace's beliefs, Kaufman advocated for "the strongest possible military defense of the United States" and stated that "by keeping absolutely aloof from foreign wars and entanglements the American People face a truly great future."

			A possible plea to Congress. ... Have Us All Sterilized! ... If You Plan On Sending Us To A Foreign War ... Spare Us Any Possibility Of Ever Bringing Children Into This World — Into This Country Of Ours!

			250px\|left\|thumb\|Map showing Kaufman's proposed dismemberment of Germany (and Austria).

			Two years later he shifted his focus to the forced mass-sterilization of all German men under 65 and the sterilization of most German women under 45. This would eliminate "inbred Germanism," he proposed, thus solving a great deal of humanity's problems. He also promoted the distribution of Germany's lands among the neighboring countries. His effort was spearheaded by the self-publication of the book Germany Must Perish!

			Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels read the book in early August and immediately grasped its value, writing in his diary: "This Jew did a real service for the enemy [German] side. Had he written this book for us, he could not have made it any better."

			This is just a flimsy pretext for another of the innate cruelties of the German people ... I don't think it was my book that prompted this barbarity. They employed every possible German cruelty against the Jews long before my book was published.

			The Nazi propaganda ministry continued to publish pamphlets, posters and flyers on Kaufman's ideas through the end of the war, and also urged newspapers and public speakers to remind Germans of Kaufman's book. Kaufman's last major appearance in Nazi propaganda occurred in late 1944, when a five-page section on him was included in the widely published booklet Never!, which described a number of alleged plots to destroy Germany. During this time he was also placed at Camp Ritchie because of his linguistic abilities, thus making him one of many Ritchie Boys. His three brothers also served.

			Kaufman married the former Jean Siris in a civil ceremony on November 23, 1942, in Harris County, Texas.

			After World War II, Kaufman disappeared entirely from public life. Berel Lang, a visiting professor of philosophy and letters at Wesleyan University, failed to locate Kaufman in the records of the city of Newark and in other sources.

			Kaufman and his wife appear in the Montclair, New Jersey Directory in 1947. He is listed as being in the painted textile business at 50 Church Street, Montclair. From 1949 through 1981, the Kaufmans sold "Charcrust Broil-It" barbecue seasoning powder from their home in East Orange, NJ.

Admin: Enrich from Wikipedia: Theodore N. Kaufman

2026-08-24T04:46:27Z

Enrich from Wikipedia: Theodore N. Kaufman

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:46, 24 August 2026
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	\|certificate=1058		\|certificate=1058
	\|education=1 year of college		\|education=1 year of college
	\|occupation=~~Authors editors~~ and ~~reporters~~		\|occupation=Businessman and writer
	\|marital=Single without dependents		\|marital=Single without dependents
	\|confidence=high		\|confidence=high
	\|class_number=5		\|class_number=5
	\|class_display=5		\|class_display=5
			\|birth_date=22 February 1910
			\|death_date=1 April 1986
			\|birth_place=New York City, New York, U.S.
			\|death_place=East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
			\|known_for=Germany Must Perish!
			\|alias=Theodore Newman Kaufman
			\|photo=Wikipedia_Theodore_Newman_Kaufman_circa_1940.png
	}}		}}

	<div class="soldier-lead">		<div class="soldier-lead">
	~~'''~~Theodore N. Kaufman~~'''~~ (1910~~–~~1986) ~~was a United States Army Master Sergeant who trained at [[Camp Ritchie]]~~, ~~Maryland, in [[Class 5]].~~ Theodore ~~enlisted at Santa Fe~~, ~~New Mexico~~.		Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer.
	</div>		</div>

	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	~~''Add a biography~~, ~~family details~~, and ~~sources~~. ~~Click Edit~~ to ~~change this page; no account is required~~.''
			Theodore Newman Kaufman (February 22, 1910 – April 1, 1986), sometimes given incorrectly as Theodore Nathan Kaufmann, was an American Jewish businessman and writer. In 1939, he published pamphlets as "chairman of the American Federation of Peace" that argued that Americans should be sterilized so that their children will no longer have to fight in foreign wars. The text was criticised for its extremism and generated limited attention in the United States.

			It was mostly used in Nazi propaganda, using it as proof that Jews were plotting for the genocide of the German people.


	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
			* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_N._Kaufman Wikipedia: Theodore N. Kaufman]
	* Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file		* Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
	* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)		* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
	* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)		* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)