Temple Emanu-El (New York, N.Y.)

This collection is comprised of papers pertaining to Admiral Lewis Lichtenstein Strauss, his career, and his community and organizational activities. He belonged to such groups as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Temple Emanu-El in New York, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the Jewish Agricultural Society, and the Union of Hebrew Congregations.

His papers include extensive correspondence, organizational and institutional records, photographs, and publications which document his personal and public life as well as American Jewish issues that he was involved with such as relief efforts for Jewish refugees from Central Europe, interest and involvement in the Reform movement, and endeavors to combat anti-Semitism, especially as propagated by Father Charles E. Coughlin and Henry Ford.

Collection contains items relating to Abraham Goldstein and his son, Bernhard (b. 1840); for Abraham, a deed for a plot of land in the Salem Field cemetery of Emanuel Congregation (1853), a statement for his pew in the synagogue (1868), and his will (1874); for Bernhard, an invitation to his wedding (1871), and a transcript of his citizenship papers (1883).

Contains Ketubah (in Hebrew and English) signed by Leo Merzbacher of New York City in 1855, and certificates of membership and birthday congratulations from a Masonic and B'nai B'rith Lodge and Kehilath Anshe Mayriv, Chicago.

Marriage certificate, in English, of Herman Benedict and Babette Heidenheim, signed by Dr. Samuel Adler, rabbi of Temple Emanu-El of New York.

This collection contains writings, minutes, financial records, correspondence, printed materials, newspaper clippings, and photographs relating to Broido's employment, investments, and Jewish and non-Jewish communal activities. It includes material regarding the department store, Gimbel Bros. (1934-1966), where he was associated with Bernard Gimbel, and where he served as Executive Vice President and as Chairman of the Advisory Committee (1953-1961); Temple Emanu-El (1957-1970), where he served as trustee and opposed secession from the Union of American Hebrew Congregations; the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (1944-1976), serving as President from 1965-1975, and where he was involved in the investigation of the Charles Jordan murder in Prague (1967); the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (1953-1972) where he served as trustee and played an active role in financial matters and relations with the Hebrew Union College; the United Jewish Appeal (1941-1972) where he served as President (1951-1952), trustee and member of the Board of Directors; the New York City Community College (1956-1972) where he served as trustee; and the Department of Commerce and Industrial Development of the City of New York (1961-1971) where he served as Commissioner (1961-1966).

Ms. Brandmark conducted research on early Jewish wills in New York City in order to complete the requirements of an undergraduate course conducted by Leo Hershkowitz at Queens College. Her research includes typed worksheets for each will, statistical charts compiling information in various categories, and lists of death records by synagogue name.

Contains a certified copy of the declaration of intent to be naturalized by Louis Strasburger in Rochester, N.Y., 1854, and the citizenship paper issued to him in 1866 in New York City. Also contains a document showing Strasburger to be a member of the New York State Militia, 1856, and discharge paper, 1865. Contains three letters from Strasburger to his fiance, Lenore Wertheimer, their marriage certificate signed by Gustav Gottheil, rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, New York City, and messages of congratulations. Also included is Strasburger's calling card and a small needlepoint on punched card.