Guide to the Collection of the Jewish Archival Survey, 1912-1991

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Collection of the Jewish Archival Survey
Creator
Jewish Archival Survey (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Collection Number
MSS#196
Extent
1.5 cubic feet (3 boxes)
Date
1912-1991
Abstract
The Jewish Archival Survey was conducted in 1987-1988 by the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania to identify and survey archival materials relating to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. The survey began the process of developing a Western Pennsylvania Jewish Archives at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. The collection includes published material, inventories, original materials and news clipings regarding Jewish organizations, synagogues and families, providing researchers with general information regarding the Jewish community in the Pittsburgh region.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
This guide to the collection was originally prepared by Rachel Balliet Colker on September 11, 1995. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in Summer, 1999
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.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History of The Jewish Archival Survey (1987-1988)

In 1987, the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania received a grant from the Allen H. and Selma W. Berkman Endowment Fund to conduct a one year survey to identify archival materials relating to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. An Advisory Committee was appointed to help direct the project and Michael Pipoly was hired to coordinate the research. Pipoly focused his efforts on identifying historical papers and records of archival repositories, synagogues, organizations, and individuals. Reviews of these materials were conducted and an inventory was taken at each site that included factors such as size, location, physical condition and information content. Many of the sources surveyed contributed publications or copies of archival material to be housed permanently with this collection. The project was completed in 1988 and served as the initial phase in establishing the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Archives at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Scope and Content Notes

These records primarily include published material, inventories, original materials, and newsclippings regarding Jewish organizations, synagogues, and families that provide researchers with general information regarding the Jewish community in the Pittsburgh region. While the materials provided in this collection are not comprehensive, they do serve as a general reference and provide some documentation of religious, social, and political institutions within the greater Pittsburgh Jewish community. Of primary note is the summary report of the survey entitled A Guide to Jewish Archival Resources in Pittsburgh (1988), by Michael Pipoly and a revised version (1989). The report provides a brief description of all materials collected and a review of the project.

Arrangement

Material in this collection is arranged in four groups: archival repositories, organizations, personal papers, and synagogues.

The Jewish Archival Survey Collection is housed in three archival boxes and arranged alphabetically by folder title with the final report arranged to the front.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials came in one primary accession, 1992, with some additional materials added at later dates.

Acc# 1992.0266 -- Collected by Michael Pipoly, (Collection. Michael Pipoly was an employee of the Historical Society of Western Pa. and was the coordinator of this survey. This accession number refers to items collected during the survey).

Preferred Citation

Collection of the Jewish Archival Survey, 1912-1991, MSS #196, Western Pennsylvania Jewish Archives, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Processing Information

This collection was arranged and described by Rachel Balliet Colker on September 11, 1995.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Jennifer Marshall on August 10, 1999.

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

    • Ahvath Achim Congregation (Carnegie, Pa.)
    • B'nai B'rith -- Anti-defamation League
    • Beth Hamedrash Hagodol (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Beth Israel (South Hills, Pa.)
    • Beth Shalom Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Children's Aid Society of Jewish Women (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Congregation Keser Torah (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Dor Hadash Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Independent Order of Odd Fellows -- Montefiore Lodge #794 (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Irene Kaufmann Settlement (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Jewish Labor Committee (U.S.)
    • Montefiore Hospital Association (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Pittsburgh Conference on Soviet Jewry
    • Tree of Life Congregation (Ellwood City, Pa.)
    • Tree of Life Congregation (McKeesport, Pa.)
    • Workmans' Circle (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Young People's Synagogue (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • United Jewish Federation (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Personal Names

    • Epstein, Dana
    • Heldman, Anna B. -- -1940
    • Kaufman, Nate-- 1910-1993
    • Krause, Corinne
    • Mintz, Ida
    • Pipoly, Michael

    Geographic Names

    • Allegheny County (Pa.) -- Religion
    • Beaver County (Pa.) -- Religion
    • Lawrence County (Pa.) -- Religion
    • McKeesport (Pa.) -- Religion
    • Monroeville (Pa.) -- Religion
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Education
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Medicine
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Religion
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Social Life and Customs
    • Westmoreland County (Pa.) -- Religion

    Other Subjects

    • Friendly societies -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Jewish aged -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Jewish Organizations -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Jewish religious education -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Jews -- Pennsylvania
    • Jews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Jews -- Pennsylvania -- McKeesport
    • Social settlements -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver Falls
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Carnegie
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Ellwood City
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Greensburg
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- McKeesport
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Monroeville
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- New Castle.
    • Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Zionism -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Jewish Archival Survey (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Jewish Archives
    • Women
    • Women's Collection

Container List