Judaism -- Relations -- Christianity

This Collection consists primarily of English, German, Hebrew, and French language correspondence concerning Reform Judaism, Zionism; the founding of the American Jewish Historical Society; the Jewish Publication Society; B'nai B'rith; the legal position of Jews in England and the United States with particular reference to the Naturalization Acts; the religious and social life and the history of Jews in Russia and Poland; Bible readings in public schools; the study of Jesus in Jewish Sabbath Schools; anti-slavery issues in the Fremont Campaign in 1856; and other correspondence pertaining to his numerous activities.

Correspondence of Elizabeth Petuchowski and material relating to her husband, Jakob J. Petuchowski

Contains two minute books for the years 1871-1892, and 1896-1906, of the activities of the Association. Includes: its constitution, by-laws, and amendments, a member list, a scrapbook of correspondence containing information on charitable disbursements, an 1866 Purim Ball Program (scroll), and miscellaneous documents.

Consists of the contents of two scrapbooks created by Harold Schein. Each scrapbook is primarily composed of news clippings and articles. Scrapbook #1, dated 1929-1946, 1964-1966, 1971, 1981, 1985, includes articles regarding archeological and scientific evidence supporting Bible events, Christian theology and philosophy pertaining to capitalism and modern developments, religion versus atheism, Christian and Jewish relations, and religious art. Additional articles concern Rev. Charles Coughlin and the Christian Front (1940), Passion plays (1934), analysis of Jews' situation in Germany (1932), Jewish identity (1960s), and Jewish religious decline (1970s). Information regarding a relative of Mr. Schein, Bernard Schein, who served as official shirtmaker to King Carol in Rumania is also available. Scrapbook #2 is dated 1932-1945 and focuses on the Bolshevik revolution, the situation in Germany, Japan and US relations, World War II, and the Senate's munitions inquiry (1934). Items of interest include an article describing the fourth Annual Women's Conference on Current Problems (1934), the "Minneapolis Star Journal" headline announcing Pres. Roosevelt's death April 12, 1945, and the "Minneapolis Daily Times" news of victory August 18, 1945.

Contains articles, speeches, holiday programs, typescripts, and poetry written by Harry P. Shapiro, President of the H.P. Shapiro Corporation, a manufacturer of women's fashions. Shapiro contributed articles for the Jewish holidays and wrote of his impressions during his 1961 visit to Israel for the Deland Sun News. He was active in several local civic and community organizations and as leader of the Jewish Center Congregation, spoke at local Protestant and Catholic groups.

This collection contains the original manuscript notes for Beecher's sermon: "Jew and Gentile," delivered June 24, 1877 in response to the exclusion of Joseph Seligman from the Grand Union Hotel. It also contains a typewritten copy of the sermon, correspondence relating to the gift of the notes between H.D. Beecher and A. Abraham, and materials pertaining to the efforts of Brooklyn Jews to help fund a statue in Beecher's memory. The sermon itself was published in 1877 by the 'Christian Union' Print. (New York).

Contains letters and articles in manuscript to Leeser pertaining to: his work as editor of The Occident, his translation of the Bible and his other literary works; discussions concerning Jewish law, the Reform movement in the United States and in Curaçao; Reform and Orthodox Judaism in Albany, N.Y., Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson's anti-Semitic comments in the United States Congress; the founding of a synagogue in San Francisco; the condition of Jews and Jewish education in America and in England; equal rights for Jews in Massachusetts and North Carolina; the controversy over the Touro Monument; slavery and the Civil War; and converts to Judaism. Also includes information on Israel Joseph Benjamin's trip in the U.S., 1859-1862; Isaac Mayer Wise; Sabato Morais; a manuscript guidebook on Jewish ritual slaughter written by Moses Julian in Barbados in 1820; Moses Montefiore's report on his mission to Rome on behalf of the Edgardo Mortara affair; articles discussing Christian theology; the Jews in Cochin, India and in China; a Latin preface to Leeser's Hebrew Bible; a Portuguese prayer against the evil eye; and poems on topics of Jewish interest.

This collection consists of the papers of Nathan Perlmutter, a lawyer, lecturer, author, political activist, and a long-time leader of the American Jewish community. It contains certificates, newspaper clippings, correspondence — including numerous condolence cards and letters sent to his family after his death — manuscripts and drafts of Perlmutter’s writings, obituaries, printed materials, programs, and subject files relating to topics he was interested in and that he wrote about.

This collection primarily contains correspondence and published material of the National Citizens Committee, organized to protest Russian abuse of the travel and trade agreements of the Treaty of 1832. Included is a published report of and correspondence relating to the Mass Meeting at Carnegie Hall, Dec. 6, 1911, as well as a large number of letters of endorsement from members of Congress, state and city government officials, various prominent educators, lawyers, businessmen and numerous Protestant and Catholic congregations. Also included is an incomplete list of contributions, correspondence of Congressman William Sulzer from New York City regarding his resolution in Congress, and letters from Woodrow Wilson, Robert M. LaFollette, John Haynes Holmes, Louis Marshall and Jefferson M. Levy.

The collection documents a very wide spectrum of Paul Rieger’s writings and interests. Series I contains personal documents such as his ordination certificate as well as Rieger’s correspondence. The most extensive part of the collection is Series 2: Writings, which contains a variety of manuscripts, articles, notes, index cards, correspondence, excerpts and lectures. Rieger’s articles cover a wide scope of topics, incuding Jewish and non-Jewish issues. His main work however, was Zur Geschichte der Juden in Rom. Series 3 holds a vast amount of off-prints about different subjects, such as on Jewish and non-Jewish topics, on Palestine and Israel as well as on Leo Baeck. Series 4 consists of Jewish, Yiddish, Israeli and German newspapers, and newsletters of Jewish communities in Germany. Series 5: Varia covers miscellaneous documents, such as letters of protection, legal documents, an abundance of marriage contracts, original signatures of Jewish personalities such as of Martin Buber and a record of the first meeting of the Centralverein deutscher Staatsbuerger juedischen Glaubens. There are also various pictures and drawings of different places, synagogues and people. Series 6: Oversized Materials contains Hebrew learning material, newspapers and fliers of Germany as well as Nazi propaganda.

The papers consist of biographical information on Rabbi Klein, including publications of his sermon excerpts and press releases issued for his 25th anniversary as leader of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (SWFS). The collection also contains correspondence concerning the rabbi's activities and his testimony in 1964 against Bible reading in schools as Chairman of the Church and State Commission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Other items of interest include a prayer for Rabbi Stephen S. Wise's funeral and Klein's article and a SWFS publication in memory of him, a report on the care of Jewish Tuberculosis patients (1923), information concerning Young Adventurers Club for developmentally disabled children in SWFS, and a signature appeal for a 1967 candlelight vigil against the Vietnam War.

The records of Temple Beth El offer a valuable insight into a small town Southern Jewish community. The community members, composed mainly of German Jews devoted to the Reform movement, participated actively in charity work and mutual benefit societies, and maintained a close relationship with Jewish communities throughout the South. Temple Beth El was one of the first members of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Its history reflects the struggles a small town Jewish community experienced in maintaining their Jewish identity as well as the cooperation and acceptance of their non-Jewish neighbors. A significant part of the collection concerns the activities of women in the Helena Jewish community, who were a tight knit group that conducted extensive charity work. The Sisterhood took an active role as member of the Mississippi-Arkansas Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. The records also include minute books for the B'nai B'rith Esther Lodge. The collection contains correspondence, real estate deeds, financial ledgers, minute meetings, news clippings, a scrapbook, and photographs.

Reverend Francis K. Shepherd, Minister of the North Baptist Church in New York City, was a strong defender of Jewish rights during the period preceding and following World War II. This collection contains correspondence he received supporting and protesting his sermons against anti-Semitism, writings and notes he collected concerning Jews and religious prejudice, newspaper clippings, articles, and a photograph.

This collection contains the text of several speeches delivered by Senta Gerstein (née Meyer), as well as numerous award certificates for Gerstein's social work and a few letters of recommendation dating to her life in 1930s Hamburg.

Collection encompasses an extensive variety of organizations, subjects, and formats and is most useful for genealogists and researchers interested in general information. Researchers looking for a particular publication will also find this collection helpful.