Guide to the Photographs of the Synagogue Documentation Project, 1998
Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Photographs of the Synagogue Documentation Project
Creator
Synagogue Documentation Project
Collection Number
MSP#317
Extent
.25 cubic feet(1 box)
Date
1998
Abstract
This collection consists of photographs taken of synagogue buildings in small western Pennsylvania towns in the course of the Synagogue Documentation Project. Most of the buildings are no longer in use as synagogues.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
This guide to the collection was originally prepared by Rae Barent and Susan Melnick on August 2, 2000. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in Winter, 2001-2002.
Sponsor
This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
The Synagogue Documentation Project was organized in 1997 by Rabbi Walter Jacob of Congregation Rodef Shalom to collect architectural information about the buildings that had served as synagogues in the small towns of Western Pennsylvania. The project was then turned over to the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Archives and the object of the project was expanded to include the collection of archival materials related to Jewish life in those small towns. The Jewish populations in these towns have decreased. Indeed, there are no longer Jews living in some of the towns. Many congregations have disbanded, and the synagogues have been sold and used for other purposes.
Project volunteers were assigned to locate people who had been part of those communities, and enlist their help in collecting records of the congregations, photographs of the synagogue buildings, personal papers, or any other materials that would document what had been a strong Jewish presence in those towns. An explanation of the project and a call for materials was posted in the Jewish Chronicle. Approximately 50 towns were identified for the project. The fact that few records were collected from the twelve towns from which any records were found, underscores the ephemeral nature of such materials.
Scope and Content Notes
The collection consists of photographs of buildings originally constructed as synagogues in eight towns in western Pennsylvania: Beaver Falls, Brownsville, Butler, New Kensington, McKeesport, Midland, Rochester, and Uniontown; and one, East Liverpool, in Ohio. The photos were taken as part of the Synagogue.
Arrangement
The Synagogue Documentation Project Photographs are housed in one archival box and arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials came in one accession in 2000.
Acc. 2000.0050 Gift of J. Robert Myers.
Preferred Citation
Photographs of the Synagogue Documentation Project, 1998, MSP# 317, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Rae Barent and Susan Melnick on August 2, 2000.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Doug MacGregor on January 10, 2002.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
Corporate Names
Synagogue Documentation Project (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Agudath Achim Congregation (Beaver Falls, Pa.)
Beth Jacob Congregation (New Kensington, Pa.)
Beth Shalom Congregation (East Liverpool, Ohio)
B'nai Israel Congregation (Butler, Pa.)
B'nai Israel Congregation (McKeesport, Pa.)
Ohave Israel Congregation (Brownsville, Pa.)
Sons of Israel Congregation (Midland, Pa.)
Temple Israel (Uniontown, Pa.)
Tree of Life Congregation (Rochester, Pa.)
Tree of Life Congregation (Uniontown, Pa.)
United Jewish Community Center (Beaver Falls, Pa.)