Papers of Philip Slomovitz
Scope and Contents
The Papers of Philip Slomovitz his over 70 years of being an active newspaperman in Detroit. Though the collection does not preserve the totality of his work, it does speak to the extent of his work, and depth of his association with both the Zionist movement and the American Jewish community.
This collection is valuable to researchers studying the Jewish experience after WWII. Even though Slomovitz's publication was based in Detroit, the topics he holds correspondences about are of national and international importance. Most of the papers are correspondences from the post-WWII era concerning diverse issues such as the dictionary definition of "Jew," Anti-Semitism at a German Consulate, religious discrimination in the US Army, and a boycott of Anti-Israeli tobacco corporation.
This collection consists mostly of correspondences and letters between Slomovitz and members of Congress, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), and members of other Zionist and Jewish organizations.
Dates
- undated, 1933-1966
Creator
- Slomovitz, Philip, 1896-1993 (Person)
Language of Materials
The collection is in English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to all researchers, except items that may be restricted due to their fragility, or privacy.
Use Restrictions
No permission is required to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection, as long as the usage is scholarly, educational, and non-commercial. For inquiries about other usage, please contact the Director of Collections and Engagement at mmeyers@ajhs.org.
For reference questions, please email: inquiries@cjh.org
Biographical Note
Philip Slomovitz was born on December 5, 1896 in Minsk. Educated in Europe, Slomovitz came to the United States in 1910 and continued his studies in journalism at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He settled in Detroit, where he was an active member of the Detroit Jewish community and Zionist movement.
From 1918 to 1920, Slomovitz worked on the editorial staff of the Detroit News, and then began work as editor of the Detroit Jewish Chronicle in 1921. He continued work there until 1942, at which point Slomovitz founded his own, community-funded newspaper, The Jewish News. It became the most profitable English language Jewish paper in the United States under his management. He remained at the helm of The Jewish News until he sold the paper in 1984; even after his retirement, he continued to write weekly columns for the paper.
Slomovitz served as an officer on the American Jewish Congregation and the executive board of the Zionist Organization of America. Using The Jewish News, Slomovitz addressed issues concerning Jews in the United States after WWII. He brashly uncovered instances of Anti-Semitism and discrimination against Jews and Israel committed by members of the Army, prominent businesspersons, or government leaders.
During his 71 years as a newspaperman he never failed to write a weekly column except for the one week following his so-called retirement after selling The Jewish News in 1984. Slomovitz died on February 17, 1993 at the age of 96.
For additional references:
- Slomovitz, Philip. Without Malice. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1978.
- Slomovitz, Philip. Purely Commentary. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1981.
- Slomovitz, Philip. The Jewish Book. New York: 1944.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
Newspaper editor and publisher Philip Slomovitz was an active member of the Detroit Jewish community, and the Zionist movement. During his 40+ years as head of The Jewish News, the Detroit-based newspaper he founded, Slomovitz addressed issues of concern to the American Jewish community, and was a relentless campaigner against instances of discrimination and anti-Semitism.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in a single series organized by topic.
Acquisition Information
Philip Slomovitz donated his papers to the American Jewish Historical Society c. 1970.
- Anti-Jewish boycotts
- Antisemitism
- Brown & Williamson
- Correspondence
- Detroit (Mich.)
- Dingell, John D. (John David) (1926-07-08-2019-02-07)
- Documents (object genre)
- Dodge, S. A.
- Hucke, Wolfram
- Jewish American newspapers
- Jewish Telegraphic Agency (New York, N.Y.)
- Jewish news (Detroit, Mich.)
- Jews, name
- Newspaper editors
- Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
- Tetley Tea Company
- United States -- Foreign relations -- Israel
- Zionism -- United States
- Title
- Guide to the Papers of Philip Slomovitz (1896-1993), undated, 1933-1966 P-84
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Jason Schechter
- Date
- © 2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Revision Statements
- April, June 2020: EHyman: post-ASpace migration cleanup.
Repository Details
Part of the American Jewish Historical Society Repository
