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Papers of Iyda Hirsh Levitt

 Collection
Identifier: ASF AR 65

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Mrs. Iyda Hirsh Levitt are made up of a collection of 17 folders, containing a combination of notes and agendae which she collected from her work as a Secretary for Congregation Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York and a collection of genealogical research which she developed while working for Shearith Israel. The notes include rough drafts of lectures and papers, mainly produced by Shearith Israel’s distinguished Rabbi, Rev. David de Sola Pool. Other papers include pamphlets from Congregation Shearith Israel in New York, pamphlets about the Jewish Cemeteries in South Carolina, as well as writings about the Montreal Spanish and Portuguese synagogue. Finally, the contents include genealogies of a number of families, including the Meyers/Mears Family, the Philips family, and the Israel Jacobs family.

Dates

  • Creation: 1864-1950
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1935-1945

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:

American Sephardi Federation, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: ASFinquiries@cjh.org

Biographical Note

Iyda Hirsh was the first of three children of Benjamin Hirsh and Dora Strauss Hirsh. She grew up in North Adams, Mass. where she attended school, probably through graduation from high school. We do not know when she left North Adams, but do know that she served as a secretary to Rabbi David de Sola Pool. That is where she did most of the work included in these papers. She was a "classy" beautiful and poised woman. She was a writer of prose and of poetry. Included among her work, she has three published poems in a book of American poetry which has yet to be located. She had no children of her own but raised those of Charles Levitt. Betty and Gene Levitt. He can be found on google, as a writer, director and producer.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Abstract

The papers of Iyda Hirsh Levitt are composed of two sections: (1) Notes derived from Ms. Hirsh Levitt’s work serving as the secretary for Rev. Dr. David de Sola Pool and (2) genealogical family trees for five families dating back to the colonial period, prior to the Revolutionary War. Dr. Pool served as the spiritual leader for Congregation Shearith Israel-the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York from 1907 till his death in 1970. Ms. Hirsh Levitt worked as his secretary from 1935 till 1945.

Arrangement

The collection consists of a single series and divided into 17 folders arranged as they were received:

  1. Iyda Hirsh Levitt Collection

Other Finding Aid

The Papers of Abraham Lopes Cardozo

Acquisition Information

Donated in 2010 by Michael Hirsh.

Related Material

The book, An old faith in the New World: portrait of Shearith Israel, 1654-1954 / [by] David and Tamar de Sola Pool. New York: Columbia University Press, 1955.

Title
Guide to the Papers of Iyda Hirsh Levitt 1864-1950 bulk 1935-1945 ASF AR 65
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Randall C. Belinfante
Date
© 2013
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Repository Details

Part of the American Sephardi Federation Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States