Rabbi Edward Klein papers

Rabbi Edward E. Klein was born in Newark, NJ on May 25, 1913. He became Assistant Rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (SWFS) upon his ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Institute of Religion in 1940. Chosen by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise as his successor, Klein served as Rabbi for SWFS from 1943-1981, and later as Rabbi Emeritus. During his career at SWFS, Klein was active in many civil, political, and social causes. SWFS was the first New York City institution to invite Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to speak and in 1972, installed the first woman Rabbi, Sally Preisand, as Assistant Rabbi. Rabbi Klein was active in several interfaith, Jewish, and community organizations; including the League of West Side Organizations, the Mayors Appeal Board for Fair Housing Practices, The Mayor's Advisory Committee on Higher Education, and the American Foundation on Nonviolence. He served as President of the Lincoln Square Community Council, President of the Hebrew Union College-Institute of Religion's Alumni Assoication, and Vice President for the New York Board of Rabbis. He acted as chairman for several committees: The Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Committee, the Lincoln Square Community Council, the Social Action Committee of the Union of Hebrew Congregations, the Church and State Commission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and Co-Chairman of the League of West Side Organizations. Rabbi Klein died in New York City on July 13, 1985.