Records of the American Jewish Alternatives to Zionism (New York, New York)
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of correspondence, articles, pamphlets, speeches, lectures, and reports issued by the organization lobbying its stance on Jewish anti-Zionism as a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Most of the organization's reports, as well as accounts of Rabbi Elmer Berger's speaking tours, his writings, and reprinted news coverage of Berger’s work can also be found in the collection. The reports cover stories related to U.S. media coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict, American diplomatic and military aid to Israel, Palestinian organizational leadership, oil politics between the Middle East and Europe/the U.S., activities of American Zionist organizations, conflicts, peace negotiations, the debate around anti-Semitism, and arguments about Zionism’s role in the conflict.
Dates
- 1959-1988
Creator
- American Jewish Alternatives to Zionism (Organization)
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
Historical Note
The American Jewish Alternatives to Zionism (AJAZ) was organized in February 1969. The organization was dedicated to conducting an education program that applies Jewish values of justice to the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East. They also worked to advance peace in the Middle East through the rejection of Jewish nationality attachment to all Jews to Israel. AJAZ believed that the separation of church and state would lead to peace in the Middle East. Key officers of the organization included Elmer Berger, Mrs. Arthur Gutman, Mrs. Isaac Witkin, and Harry Lesser. Berger was the president of the organization from the organization's founding until at least 1990. Berger also was the executive director and then executive vice president of the American Council for Judaism from 1943-1967, which was also an anti-Zionist organization opposed to the founding of the state of Israel.
Extent
1.25 Linear Feet (2 manuscript boxes, 1 half manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The American Jewish Alternatives to Zionism Collection consists of correspondence, articles, pamphlets, speeches, lectures, and reports issued by the organization lobbying its stance on Jewish anti-Zionism as a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict from 1959 to 1988.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically.
Physical Location
Located in AJHS New York, NY
- Title
- Guide to the Records of the American Jewish Alternatives to Zionism (New York, New York), 1959-1988
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Marvin Rusinek
- Date
- © 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- February 2017: Historical Note and other top level description added by Nicole Greenhouse.
- March 2021: RJohnstone: post-ASpace migration cleanup.
Repository Details
Part of the American Jewish Historical Society Repository
