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Hugo Fuchs Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AR 790 / MF 725

Scope and Content Note

This collection holds material related to Hugo Fuchs, rabbi of Chemnitz and Buenos Aires. It includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, postcards, and some copies of photographs.

Correspondence will be found in Series I and IV. Series I consists of a letter by Hugo Fuchs on Keren Hajessod and reactions by others to this letter. Among the correspondents are Leo Baeck and Leo Baerwald. Series IV holds a letter from Hugo Fuchs to members of the Goeritz family on the fate of family members aboard the Simon Bolivar, which was sunk by a mine. Series IV also contains copies of photographs of Goeritz family members, including those mentioned in the letter.

Series II is comprised of newspaper articles on Hugo Fuchs, as well as those written by him. His articles discuss such topics as the role of liberal Judaism, Jewish holidays, and Jewish history. Most of the writings about him include published newspaper articles on the Chemnitz community and describe his work there.

A collection of images of Jewish places, individuals, and themes will be found in Series III. For the most part, these images consist of postcards depicting Jewish communities, well-known personalities, artwork, or other Jewish-related themes, such as illustrations of Bible stories or synagogues.

Dates

  • 1902-1943
  • Majority of material found within 1921-1931

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in German and Hebrew.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Access Information

Collection is digitized. Follow the links in the Container List to access the digitized materials.

Readers may access the collection by visiting the Lillian Goldman Reading Room at the Center for Jewish History. We recommend reserving the collection in advance; please visit the LBI Online Catalog and click on the "Request" button.

Use Restrictions

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

Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org

Biographical Note

Hugo Fuchs was born on January 3, 1878 in Stadtlengsfeld, Thuringia, Germany. He studied philology and history at the universities of Berlin and Leipzig, receiving his doctorate from the University of Leipzig in 1907. Fuchs continued his studies at the Lehranstalt für die Wissenschaft des Judentums (Institute for the Study of Judaism).

In 1907 Fuchs became the rabbi of Chemnitz, a position he would hold until 1938. He also headed the Zentralstelle für jüdische Wohlfahrtspflege (Central Agency for Jewish Welfare) in Chemnitz. Fuchs was a liberal rabbi, and influenced by theologians like Abraham Geiger. His interest in the subject of Jewish resettlement in Palestine was evidenced by his support of the activities of organizations such as Keren Hayesod, a fundraising organization for Palestine, and the Central-Verein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens (Central Association of German Citizens of Jewish Faith). A prolific writer, Fuchs's articles on various aspects of Judaism and Jewish life often appeared in various newspapers. Among these were Liberales Judentum, the Jüdisch-liberale Zeitung, the Israelitisches Familienblatt, and others. He also wrote the Lehrbuch der jüdischen Geschichte, first published in 1922, which gave an overview of the history of the Jewish people and their religion.

After Kristallnacht, during which the Chemnitz Synagogue was destroyed, Hugo Fuchs was arrested and sent to a concentration camp. In 1939 he was permitted to leave Germany, and emigrated to Argentina. He led the Jewish community of Buenos Aires until his death in 1949.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection comprises materials related to Hugo Fuchs, rabbi of Chemnitz from 1907-1939. Included here are are a small amount of his correspondence and some of his published writings. In addition, this collection holds visual material on Jewish places and themes and some items pertaining to the Goeritz family.

Other Finding Aid

A 10-page item-level inventory is available for the collection.

Microfilm

The collection is available on one reel of microfilm (MF 725)

Separated Material

Photographs have been removed to the LBI Photo Collection.

Processing Information

In July 2006 the collection was rearranged in preparation for the creation of the EAD finding aid. Existing series were left intact. The former section "III. Correspondence" of the inventory was made Series I: Correspondence. The former "II. Photos" was renamed Series III: Images. Visual material previously classified as "Varia" were given subjects. Addenda was renamed "Series IV: Goeritz Family."

Title
Guide to the Papers of Hugo Fuchs (1878-1949) 1902-1943 AR 790 / MF 725
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by LBI Staff
Date
© 2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.
Edition statement
This version was derived from HugoFuchs.xml

Revision Statements

  • May 17, 2012 : Links to digital objects added in Container List.

Repository Details

Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository

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