Records of the Yidisher Teater Gezelshaft in Detroit
Scope and Content Note
The materials in this collection relate to the artistic, financial and publicity activities of the Yidisher Teater Gezelshaft in Detroit. Materials include correspondence with artists, patrons and members, minutes of Budget Committee meetings, minutes of Executive Board meetings, financial reports and tables, membership forms, theatrical programs, a book of receipt forms, transcripts of the Weinberg Jewish Radio Hour, a Hebrew Actors' Union membership directory booklet, and assorted leaflets and bulletins. Some of the correspondents include Jacob Ben-Ami, Misha Fishzon, Reuben Guskin, the manager of the Hebrew Actors Union, H. Leivick, Shmuel Niger (Charney), David Pinski, and Zygmunt Turkow.
Dates
- 1935-1943
- Majority of material found within 1942-1943
Language of Materials
The collection is in Yiddish and English, with some Polish.
Access Restrictions
Permission to use the collection must be obtained from the YIVO Archivist.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish part or parts of the collection must be obtained from the YIVO Archives. For more information, contact:
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
email: archives@yivo.cjh.org
Historical Note
The Yidisher Teater Gezelshaft (Jewish Theatre Guild) in Detroit was a theater society dedicated to producing both artistic and popular plays in Yiddish. It was founded in 1942 as a community theater aimed at serving the entertainment and educational needs of the Jewish community of Detroit, rather than solely as a money-making organization. The founding board also envisioned it as an educational tool that could provide continuity with Jewish history and Yiddish culture during the tumultuous war years. In addition to the permanent theater, the Gezelshaft opened a drama school, sponsored public lectures, organized children’s programming, and hosted traveling performances, such as those of Jacob Ben-Ami and Bertha Gersten, which are represented in this collection.
Extent
0.83 Linear Feet
2 Manuscript Boxes
Abstract
This collection contains the records of the Yidisher Teater Gezelshaft in Detroit, a theater guild which aimed to put on Yiddish plays of the highest artistic caliber for the Jewish community of Detroit. It contains correspondence, meeting minutes, financial reports, programs, mailings, and membership materials.
Arrangement
When the collection arrived at YIVO, the files were divided into correspondence and administrative files, both of which were arranged alphabetically. The materials have been re-housed in acid-free folders. The folder titles and arrangement scheme have been retained. There is a folder of financial correspondence in the administrative files series which mostly concerns membership dues and donations. The collection is divided into two series.
Acquisition Information
The YIVO Archives received the collection in June 1999.
Separated Material
There is no information about materials that are associated by provenance to the described materials that have been physically separated or removed.
Processing information
Processed by Rachel S. Harrison in September 2013, made possible by the Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives Grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources through the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support "Illuminating Hidden Collections at the Center for Jewish History."
- Title
- Guide to the Records of the Yidisher Teater Gezelshaft in Detroit 1935-1943 (bulk 1942-1943) RG 1369
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Rachel S. Harrison in 2013, made possible by the Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives Grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources through the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support "Illuminating Hidden Collections at the Center for Jewish History."
- Date
- ©2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Repository
