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Guide to the Records of Boston YMHA-Hecht House, undated, 1896-1971

*I-74

Reprocessed by Stephanie Call

American Jewish Historical Society

Center for Jewish History

15 West 16th Street

New York, N.Y. 10011

Phone: (212) 294-6160

Fax: (212) 294-6161

Email: reference@ajhs.org

URL: http://www.ajhs.org

© 2013, American Jewish Historical Society, Boston, MA and New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
Machine-readable finding aid created by Stephanie Call as MS Word document, June 2009. Finding aid was encoded by Marvin Rusinek on March 1, 2010. Finding aid written in English.

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Boston YMHA-Hecht House
Title: Boston YMHA-Hecht House records
Dates: undated, 1896-1971
Abstract: Includes constitution, minutes of the Board of Trustees (1934-1948, 1953-1958), budgets (1942-1948, 1951-1953, 1955-1958), financial reports, material on membership, and numerous activities. Among the latter is extensive material on camping, clubs, and the nursery school. Contains material on the history of Hecht House, surveys, publications, and other material issued, photographs, and memorabilia. Includes similar material of the YMHA for the years 1933-1958, and for the merged organization for the years 1959-1970. Among the latter are the minutes of the Board of Directors (1959-1970) and budget reports (1959-1963). Contains some material of the Hebrew Industrial School as well as papers on the following institutions relating to the work of the Hecht House: Associated Jewish Philanthropies, Central Service Agency for Groupwork, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Greater Boston Council of Jewish Centers, Jewish Centers Association, Jewish Community Centers Camps, Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Boston, National Jewish Welfare Board, National Association of Jewish Center Workers, New England Association of Jewish Center Workers, New England Association of Jewish Center Youth Councils, New England Association of Young Adult Councils, United Jewish Youth Council, and United Synagogue of America.
Languages: The collection is in English.
Quantity: 13.5 linear foot (27 manuscript boxes, 3 oversized folders)
Identification: I-74
Repository: American Jewish Historical Society Archives
Location: Located at AJHS, Boston, MA.
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Historical Note1

The Young Men's Hebrew Association (Y.M.H.A.) was founded in Boston's South End and incorporated on January 30, 1882 by a small group of residents, including Edward S. Goulston, Grace Cohen, Raphael Lasker, Mark Wolf, Abraham L. Fisbel, Louis Gans, Mark Stone, Abraham P. Spitz, Nathan Schloss, L.B. Schwabe, Samuel B. Sterne, Morris Clarke and Julius Rosenthal. At the time of it's founding, the mission of the Y.M.H.A. was to be the impetus of "the moral, physical, intellectual and social improvement" of its members. Several years later the Y.M.H.A. received, as a donation by Godfrey Hyams, a converted residence at 39 East Concord Street in the South End of Boston, where it conducted the majority of its activities. By 1909, the Jewish population had moved out of the South End to Roxbury and Dorchester, prompting the Y.M.H.A. to relocate to the former Hetty Green mansion on the corner of Warren and Howland Streets in Roxbury.

Once the organization was established in Roxbury, a shift in its ideology compelled the Board to declare that the Y.M.H.A. was a Jewish cultural organization, responsible for not just its members, but also the entire Jewish community. Included in its new mission was a religious school that moved under the auspices of the Bureau of Jewish Education in 1918; also that year, the practice of Friday Night Services, instituted by the Y.M.H.A, were held by individual synagogues. In conjunction with the National Y.M.H. and Kindred Associations, the organization published a manual in 1917 on the development and management of boys' clubs, which is included in this collection.

With membership continuing to increase, the Y.M.H.A. needed to relocate once again, this time to a building on Seaver Street, on the corner of Humboldt Avenue, in Roxbury. Administration recognized that programs and facilities needed expansion, and in 1920 they hired an executive director to lead the process. After a lengthy fundraising campaign that was put on hold during World War I, enough funds were raised to build a gymnasium, completed in 1925. More staff was trained and hired to replace volunteers who no longer fit the changing needs of the organization.

As the Jewish population began to move out of Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury and into Brookline, Newton and Brighton, membership and funding decreased. However, the organization remained positive about its location and impact on the community and stayed in this location until the merger with Hecht House in 1960.

Hecht House

Lina Hecht founded the Hecht House in 1889 as the Hebrew Industrial School in the North End of Boston. The school's primary purpose was to educate young female immigrants in a trade (particularly sewing) so that they could provide for themselves in their new country. Lena Hecht died in 1920, the same year the school moved to Bowdoin Street in the West End. Two years later, on February 7, 1922, the school incorporated under the name "Hecht Neighborhood House." Signatories on the incorporation papers included the organization's officers: Sally Hecht Ehrlich, Lena F. Leviseur, Morris Rosenthal, Lena H. Frankenstein, Henry Ehrlich and Adolph Ehrlich. In 1936, Hecht Neighborhood House moved to 160 American Legion Highway in Dorchester. At this point it operated as a community center for children and adults, and included a Nursery School, as well as programs for school children, high school students, young adults and adults.

The Hecht House had four overriding objectives: 1) foster democracy and citizenship; 2) to advance understanding of Jewish ideals; 3) conduct relevant programming to promote physical, cultural, moral and educational well-being, and 4) promote understanding among all community groups. Membership was open to all community members, although programs generally serviced community members from the Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester neighborhoods. Programming, in addition to the nursery school, included after school programming for elementary school children, evening programs for high school students and adults, and over sixty clubs-some not directly affiliated with Hecht House. In addition, there were men's and women's associations, which were responsible for planning activities and events for adults, and a summer day camp that operated for eight weeks out of the summer.

The building on American Legion Highway was well equipped to handle the needs of its members, with a gymnasium, exercise rooms, health club, science laboratory, and photography dark room. A dance hall, kitchen, nursery rooms, clubrooms, adult lounge and canteen were on the group floor. On the second room, the building housed a game room, children's library, sewing room, and additional nursery rooms. The third story included a young adult lounge, art and ceramic studios, a theater, and additional clubrooms. In addition to the main building, two bungalows existed on the property, one equipped with a woodshop and the other used by "Golden Agers" and Scouts. A 250 square feet playground was also on the grounds. Additionally, Hecht House also had cooperative agreements with three public schools that were used for juniors programming.

The Boston Y.M.H.A.- Hecht House

In 1960, Hecht House and the Boston Y.M.H.A. merged to create one organization, the Boston Y.M.H.A.-Hecht House. Their goal was to provide "the development and conducting of a comprehensive program of guided leisure time activities for its members utilizing the skills and methods of group work, informal education and recreation, and aimed at helping individuals achieve an affirmative relationship to their community." The organization was located at 150 American Legion Highway in Dorchester and welcomed both children and adults from Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, Hyde Park and Milton.

A Board of Directors oversaw the Boston Y.M.H.A.-Hecht House. The Board was elected by adult members of the organization and responsible for participating in the majority of activities. Staffing included an executive director, program director, teachers and specialists who were responsible for running several departments, including the nursery school, programs for students in grammar, junior and senior high schools, post high school, young adults, adults, senior citizens programming, the physical education department and day camps.

In 1970, Hecht House was sold to the Lena Park Housing Development Corporation, a move sponsored and supported by Mayor Kevin White and then mayoral aid Barney Frank.

1 Historical Sketch based on documents found in the Boston Y.M.H.A-Hecht House collection.

Chronology
1882 Y.M.H.A. founded in the South End, incorporated on January 30th
1889 Lina Hecht founds the Hebrew Industrial School in the North End of Boston
1909 The Y.M.H.A moved from East Concord Street in the South End to Warren and Howland Streets in Roxbury
1917 Y.M.H.A. publishes a manual on boys' clubs through the National Y.M.H. and Kindred Associations
1918 Bureau of Jewish Education assumes control of Y.M.H.A. Religious School
1918 Synagogues begin Friday night services, modeled after Y.M.H.A. services
1920 Lina Hecht dies
1920 Hebrew Industrial School moves to the West End
1920 Y.M.H.A. hires an executive director
1922 "Hecht Neighborhood House" is incorporated on February 7th
1925 Y.M.H.A. completes building the gymnasium
1936 Hecht Neighborhood House moves to 160 American Legion Highway in Dorchester
1960 Y.M.H.A. and Hecht House merge to become the Boston Y.M.H.A- Hecht House, located at 150 American Legion Highway in Boston
1970 Y.M.H.A.-Hecht House sold to the Lena Park Housing Development Corporation
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Scope and Content Note

The Boston Y.M.H.A.- Hecht House Collection contains the records of the Y.M.H.A. and Hecht House when they were separate organizations as well as after the merger, including constitutions, meeting minutes, budgets, financial reports, correspondence, publications and photographs. Overall, the records of the Hecht House are more complete, and include the records of numerous clubs and activities held at the organization. Materials pertaining to organizations and associations that worked with the Y.M.H.A.-Hecht House are also included in the collection. These organizations range from Associated Jewish Philanthropies (the precursor to Combined Jewish Philanthropies) to the Jewish Welfare Board.

There are several folders of restricted material in the collection, including personnel evaluations and reports of anti-Semitic incidents at Hecht House. These records cannot be accessed without permission from the archivist.

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Arrangement

The collection is arranged into eight series as follows:

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society, except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact:
American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011
email: reference@ajhs.org

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Related Material

Boston Jewish Community Relations Council & Addendums, I-123
Papers of Abraham Ratshesky, P-586
National Jewish Welfare Board, I-298 (New York)
Boston Bureau of Jewish Education, I-497
Papers of Bernard Gorfinkle, P-664

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Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); Boston YMHA-Hecht House records; I-74; box number; folder number; American Jewish Historical Society, Boston, MA and New York, NY.

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Acquisition Note

Gift of the Hecht House.

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Access Points

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Container List

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

 

Series I: Governance (Hecht), undated, 1928-1971.
English.
Boxes 1-5.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content:

This series contains documents relating to the governing bodies and members of the Hecht House prior to its merger with the Y.M.H.A. Included in this series are records regarding committees, including the Adult Forum, Budget, Membership and Personnel committees, as well as written histories of Hecht House, the constitution of the organization, and information pertaining to the merger of Hecht House and the Y.M.H.A. Of particular interest is a report written by Executive Director Mrs. Harry Saftel, which examines how the Hecht House handled the Depression, Pearl Harbor, and World War II, as well as the growing and prevalent anti-Semitism of the time. Please note that Box 2, folder 8 is restricted as it contains the evaluations of Hecht House personnel. The material is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder Title Date
1 1 Adult Forum Committee undated
1 2 Annual Meetings 1942-1954
1 3 Attendance Statistics 1941-1953
1 4 Auxiliary Volunteer Bureau 1940, 1945
1 5 Board of Directors -- Minutes & Members of the Board 1953-1959
1 6 Board of Trustees –- Correspondence 1944-1947
1 7 Board of Trustees -- Minutes & Members 1934-1948
1 8 Boys Work Manual 1933-1940
1 9 Budget Committee undated, 1946-1954
1 10 Budget Materials 1935-1958
1 11 Budgets 1942-1958
1 12 Building Plans 1955-1958
1 13 Casework Project 1948-1950
1 14 Community Relations undated, circa 1971
1 15 Constitution & Organizational Structure 1922-1955
1 16 Correspondence -- Experiences at Hecht House 1971
1 17 Discipline Problems 1955-1957
1 18 Extension Directors 1958
1 19 Foreign Agencies undated, 1957
Box Folder Title Date
2 1 Fund Raising Committee 1951-1958
2 2 Golden Age Committee 1951-1958
2 3 Hayden Funds 1938-1945
2 4 Hebrew Industrial School/Reports 1896-1917
2 5 History and Purpose of Hecht House undated, 1936-1955
2 6 House Committee 1946-1950
2 7 House Council 1932-1933
2 8 House Youth Council 1944-1945
2 9 Housing Committee 1952
2 10 Intermediate Council –- General 1940-1957
2 11 Intermediate Council -- Junior Council Joint Meetings 1940-1942
2 12 Intermediate Council—Senior Council Joint Meetings 1952
2 13 Investments 1944-1948
2 14 Jewish Art Festival Committee 1955
2 15 Job Descriptions undated, 1954-1957
2 16 Junior Council 1940-1942
2 17 Junior Program 1952-1958
2 18 Leaders’ Group undated, 1936-1950
2 19 Leader’s Program undated, 1938-1958
2 20 Merger of Hecht House and Y.M.H.A. 1958
Box Folder Title Date
3 1 Membership –- Committee 1948-1957
3 2 Membership -- General Materials 1939
3 3 Membership –- Statistics 1941-1957
3 4-6 Membership –- Lists 1937-1956
3 7 Personnel –- Committee undated, 1948-1956
3 8 Personnel -- Evaluations (RESTRICTED) 1945-1957
3 9 Personnel –- Practices undated, 1947-1955
3 10 Physical Education Committee 1956-1957
Box Folder Title Date
4 1 Professional Director’s Meeting 1945
4 2 Program Committees 1951-1957
4 3-5 Reports –- General 1928-1949
Box Folder Title Date
5 1 Reports – General 1951-1957
5 2 Rules for Facilities undated, 1959
5 3 Salary Scales 1956-1957
5 4 School Lunch Program Forms 1957-1958
5 5 Staff Conferences 1948-1956
5 6 Senior Council 1956-1958
5 7-9 Staff Meetings –- Minutes 1936-1953
5 10 Staff Philosophy 1938-1939
5 11 Union Affiliation Committee 1947
5 12 Vocational Guidance undated, 1936-1942
5 13 War Records 1942-1944
5 14 Women’s Auxiliary -- Constitution and Minutes 1938-1949
5 15 Women's Auxiliary -- Correspondence 1945-1949
5 16 Young Adult Organization 1946-1955
5 17 Young Men’s Association 1943
5 18 Young People’s Non-Partisan League 1940
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Series II: Governance (Y.M.H.A.), undated, 1932-1960.
English.
Boxes 6-9.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content:

This series contains documents relating to the governing bodies and members of the Young Men's Hebrew Association (Y.M.H.A.) prior to the merger with Hecht House. Included in this series are records regarding budget, committees, and personnel. Please note that personnel evaluations in boxes 8 and 9 are restricted. The series also contains some historical information of the Y.M.H.A. as well as meeting minutes and reports. The material is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder Title Date
6 1 A.J.P. Financial Reports 1941-1947
6 2-3 Accountant’s Annual Statements 1944-1959
6 4 Activities Committee 1945-1952
6 5 Annual Meeting 1946-1955
6 6 Athletic Committee 1938-1956
6 7 Associated Jewish Philanthropies 1949-1951
6 8 Board of Directors 1948-1956
6 9 Bowling and Billiards Committee 1952-1956
6 10-11 Budget –- General 1933-1949
Box Folder Title Date
7 1-6 Budget –- General 1952-1958
7 7 Club and Education Committee 1939
7 8 Constitution 1932
7 9 Election of Board 1944
7 10 Executive Committee 1940-1954
7 11 Executive Director 1941-1942
7 12 Extension Committee 1951
7 13 Financial Reports 1940-1945
7 14 Finance Committee 1954-1956
Box Folder Title Date
8 1 Fund Raising Committee 1954-1956
8 2 History circa 1947, 1957
8 3 House Committee 1944-1955
8 4 House Rules undated, 1950-1956
8 5 Job Descriptions undated, 1952-1957
8 6 Leaders Program 1954
8 7 Membership –- Committee 1941-1955
8 8 Membership –- Lists 1955-1959
8 9 Membership –- Reports 1938-1946
8 10 National Jewish Welfare Board/Annual Reports 1951-1959
8 11 Monthly Attendance Report for JCA 1951
8 12 Personnel Committee 1947-1955
8 13 Personnel Evaluation Guidelines undated, 1953
8 14 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Anbinder, Vivian 1958-1959
8 15 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Dennison, Helen 1957-1961
8 16 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Field Work Students 1951-1953
8 17 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Friedman, Leonard 1952-1957
Box Folder Title Date
9 1 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Glovin, Charles 1954-1956
9 2 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Hoffman, Elise 1952-1954
9 3 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Kessler, Edward 1956-1959
9 4 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Nemeth, Leonard 1958-1960
9 5 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Rubenstein, Noel 1954-1956
9 6 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Schonholz, Sally 1953-1956
9 7 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Sheinfein, Pauline Tessler 1956-1957
9 8 Personnel Evaluations (RESTRICTED) -- Winitzer, Jack 1958-1960
9 9 Personnel Practices undated, 1936-1946
9 10 Program Committee 1954-1955
9 11 Referrals (RESTRICTED) 1956-1960
9 12 Religious Services Committee 1944-1954
9 13 Reports—Annual Activities 1936-1957
9 14 Reports -- Executive Director & President 1931-1956
9 15 Reports –- Membership 1946-1947
9 16 Reports -- National Jewish Welfare Board 1940-1946
9 17 Salary Schedules undated, 1953-1957
9 18 Smith, Samuel O. (President) undated, 1955
9 19 Special Gifts Committee 1946-1952
9 20 Staff Meetings 1958-1959
9 21 Training Bureau for Jewish Communal Service 1948
9 22 Youth Lounge Committee undated
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Series III: Governance (Merged), undated, 1949-1970.
English.
Boxes 10-11.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content:

This series contains documents relating to the governing bodies and members of the Y.M.H.A.-Hecht House following the merger of the two organizations in 1960. Included is information pertaining to budgets, committees, personnel practices and various meetings of the organization. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder Title Date
10 1 Adult Activities Committee 1960-1962
10 2 Annual Report 1963-1964
10 3-7 Board of Directors 1959-1970
10 8 Boston State Hospital undated, 1965
Box Folder Title Date
11 1 Budget 1960-1963
11 2 Building Fund Campaign Committee 1960
11 3 Constitution 1963
11 4 Fund Raising 1960
11 5 Golden Age Committee 1959
11 6 History and Function undated
11 7 House Committee 1959-1960
11 8 House Rules undated, 1959-1961
11 9 Inter-Agency Relationship 1962
11 10 Intermediates Council 1961-1964
11 11 Job Descriptions and Salary 1959-1963
11 12 Juniors Program 1962-1963
11 13 Leader’s Manual 1964
11 14 Membership –- Campaign 1959-1963
11 15 Membership –- Committee 1959-1963
11 16 Membership –- Statistics 1960-1963
11 17 Officers and Chairman’s Minutes 1959-1960
11 18 Personnel –- Committee 1959-1963
11 19 Personnel –- Practices 1949-1960
11 20 Physical Education Committee 1959-1964
11 21 Program Committee 1960
11 22 Scholarship Fund 1963-1964
11 23 Senior Council 1961-1962
11 24 Senior Division 1961-1965
11 25 Staff Meetings 1959-1965
11 26 Summer Day Camp/Committee 1960
11 27 Teen Parents Committee 1965
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Series IV: Activities (Hecht), undated, 1926-1958.
English.
Boxes 12-21.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content:

This series contains materials and documents relating to the multitude of activities at Hecht House, including student and adult clubs, nursery school, camps, publications and studies. The files on Anti-Semitic incidents at Hecht House and in the community restricted and require permission to view. Many of the club files, particularly for the "Convicts," a social club for adolescent boys, provide a thorough picture of life at Hecht House and the relationship of its members to one another and the organization. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder Title Date
12 1 Adult Program undated, 1948-1955
12 2 Annual Outings 1926-1940
12 3 Anti-Semitism (RESTRICTED) -- Incidents at Hecht House undated, 1945-1950
12 4 Anti-Semitism (RESTRICTED) -- Incidents in the Community 1944
12 5 Camps -- Hecht Pioneer Camp undated, 1937-1940
12 6 Camps -- Hecht Pioneer Camp/Reports 1935-1940
12 7 Camps -- Summer Day Camp 1948-1957
12 8 Camps -- Summer Day Camp/Parent Materials 1947-1958
12 9 Camps -- Summer Day Camp/Programs 1938-1957
12 10 Camps -- Summer Day Camp/Reports 1940-1957
12 11 Camps -- Summer Day Camp/Requests to Place Children (RESTRICTED) undated, 1946
12 12 Camps -- Summer Day Camp/Staff Materials 1947-1958
12 13 Camps -- Summer Day Camp/Statistical Data 1937-1956
12 14 Camps -- Summer Day Camp/Winter Junior Day Camp 1955
Box Folder Title Date
13 1 Canteen 1944-1953
13 2 Clubs –- Aces 1938-1939
13 3 Clubs –- Adelias 1938-1939
13 4 Clubs –- Alboes undated, 1938
13 5 Clubs -- All Stars undated, 1939-1941
13 6 Clubs -- Almont Arrows 1939-1942
13 7 Clubs -- Alpha Datas undated
13 8 Clubs –- Alpines 1939-1940
13 9 Clubs –- Amigos 1939-1940
13 10 Clubs –- Amikians 1939
13 11 Clubs –- Archons 1937-1939
13 12 Clubs –- Associates 1936
13 13 Clubs –- Athenians 1939-1941
13 14 Clubs –- Avalons undated, 1941-1942
13 15 Clubs –- Aviation undated, 1942
13 16 Clubs –- Avons 1939
13 17 Clubs -- A.Z.A. undated, 1939-1940
13 18 Clubs -- A.Z.A. Jr. 1939-1942
13 19 Clubs –- Balfours 1939-1941
13 20 Clubs –- Beavers 1938-1939
13 21 Clubs –- Belladonnas undated
13 22 Clubs –- Biology 1941-1942
13 23 Clubs -- Boy Scouts 1949-1958
13 24 Clubs -- Black Hawks undated, 1942
13 25 Clubs –- Brandeis undated, 1938-1939
13 26 Clubs –- Braves undated, 1939
Box Folder Title Date
14 1 Clubs -- Bull Session Thursday Nite Discussion 1938-1942
14 2 Clubs –- Cadets 1940
14 3 Clubs -- Calvin Coolidge Civics Club 1933-1937
14 4 Clubs –- Cavaliers undated, 1942
14 5 Clubs –- Champlains 1941
14 6 Clubs -- C.C.C.A. 1940
14 7 Clubs –- Chemistry 1941-1942
14 8 Clubs –- Collegiates 1941-1942
14 9 Clubs –- Comitors 1939
14 10 Clubs –- Convicts 1941-1942
14 11 Clubs –- Copains 1946-1947
14 12 Clubs -- Cub Pack 8 undated, 1942
14 13 Clubs -- Cub Scouts 1939-1940
14 14 Clubs –- Darettes 1946-1947
14 15 Clubs –- Dardenelles 1941-1942
14 16 Clubs –- Debbies 1939-1940
14 17 Clubs –- Decols 1941
14 18 Clubs -- Defense Council 1942
14 19 Clubs -- Delta Gamma Sorority 1939
14 20 Clubs –- Deximes 1942
14 21 Clubs -- Dorchester Merchants undated
14 22 Clubs –- Dorians undated, 1946-1947
14 23 Clubs –- Dorsets undated, 1936
14 24 Clubs –- Dragonettes 1941
14 25 Clubs –- Dramatics 1939, 1952
14 26 Clubs -- Dramatics – Intermediate 1937-1941
14 27 Clubs -- Dramatics - Junior Club 1937-1942
14 28 Clubs -- D.T.T.’s 1936-1937
14 29 Clubs -- D.T.T. Jr. 1937-1938
Box Folder Title Date
15 1 Clubs –- Eagles 1941
15 2 Clubs –- Eldors 1938-1939
15 3 Clubs -- El-Rays 1946-1947
15 4 Clubs –- Emanons 1940-1941
15 5 Clubs –- Emrocs 1940-1941
15 6 Clubs –- Enrols 1938-1940
15 7 Clubs -- Enrols Jrs. undated, 1942
15 8 Clubs -- Ehrlich, Henry 1932-1941
15 9 Clubs –- Falcons 1940-1942
15 10 Clubs –- Finahs undated
15 11 Clubs –- Foxes 1938
15 12 Clubs –- Franklins 1939
15 13 Clubs –- Fratians 1939-1941
15 14 Clubs –- Grovewoods 1940
15 15 Clubs –- Heretogas 1940
15 16 Clubs -- Intermediate Discussion Group 1939
15 17 Clubs –- Jaffas 1938-1940
15 18 Clubs –- Jovens 1939-1940
15 19 Clubs –- Junos 1941-1942
15 20 Clubs -- Kina Ta Philon 1939
15 21 Clubs -- Lafayette Co-eds undated, 1939
15 22 Clubs –- Lathoms 1939-1942
15 23 Clubs -- Louis Nedel Aleph Club undated
15 24 Clubs -- Literature Group 1941-1942
15 25 Clubs –- Lornettes undated
15 26 Clubs –- Macons 1938-1939
15 27 Clubs –- Malkos 1942
15 28 Clubs –- Marshalls 1934-1936
15 29 Clubs –- Matadors 1938
15 30 Clubs -- Mattapan A.A. undated
15 31 Clubs –- Maurauders 1946
15 32 Clubs –- Maydels 1940-1941
15 33 Clubs –- Metros 1941-1942
Box Folder Title Date
16 1 Clubs –- Mohawks 1940-1941
16 2 Clubs –- Monarchs 1940-1942
16 3 Clubs –- Mystics 1939-1942
16 4 Clubs –- Norfolks 1941-1942
16 5 Clubs –- Panays 1938-1942
16 6 Clubs -- Paul Revere Jrs. undated
16 7 Clubs –- Pharoahs 1937-1939
16 8 Clubs -- Pharoah Cubs 1939-1942
16 9 Clubs –- Philos 1939-1941
16 10 Clubs –- Photography 1941-1942
16 11 Clubs –- Pioneers 1938
16 12 Clubs –- Pirates 1942
16 13 Clubs –- Pontiacs 1941
16 14 Clubs –- Primos undated, 1939
16 15 Clubs –- Radio 1938-1942
16 16 Clubs –- Rajahs undated, 1939
16 17 Clubs –- Rams 1938-1939
16 18 Clubs –- Rambams undated, 1942
16 19 Clubs –- Ramblers 1938-1940
16 20 Clubs –- Rangers 1938-1942
16 21 Clubs –- Redaels 1939-1940
16 22 Clubs –- Redwings 1939-1940
16 23 Clubs –- Regis 1938-1941
16 24 Clubs –- Rochelles 1941
16 25 Clubs –- Roosevelts undated, 1939
16 26 Clubs –- Rover 1933-1934
16 27 Clubs –- Royals 1940
16 28 Clubs –- Science 1937-1947
16 29 Clubs –- Scitaminds 1938-1939
16 30 Clubs –- Seimas 1939
16 31 Clubs –- Semades undated
Box Folder Title Date
17 1 Clubs –- Seminars 1939-1940
17 2 Clubs –- Senators 1941
17 3 Clubs -- Signet Co-Eds 1938-1939
17 4 Clubs –- Sirdars 1938-1948
17 5 Clubs –- Sororities undated
17 6 Clubs –- Spartans 1938-1940
17 7 Clubs –- Specimens 1938
17 8 Clubs –- Squirrels 1938
17 9 Clubs -- Stamp Club 1937
17 10 Clubs -- Stamp Club, Jr. 1937
17 11 Clubs –- Sultans 1941-1942
17 12 Clubs –- Taros 1941-1942
17 13 Clubs –- Toheos 1938
17 14 Clubs –- Tritons 1937
17 15 Clubs -- Troop 8 Boy Scouts 1939-1954
17 16 Clubs –- Utopians 1939-1940
17 17 Clubs –- Vagabonds 1940
17 18 Clubs –- Valiants 1941-1942
17 19 Clubs -- Valiants, Jrs. 1942
17 20 Clubs –- Vees 1941-1942
17 21 Clubs –- Verdaoe 1940-1941
17 22 Clubs –- Viceroys 1940
17 23 Clubs –- Viscounts undated, 1939-1940
17 24 Clubs –- Volunteers 1942
17 25 Clubs -- Weekend Camp 1942
17 26 Clubs –- Williams undated, 1943-1947
17 27 Clubs –- Windsors 1946-1947
17 28 Clubs –- Zephyrs 1938-1941
17 29 Clubs -- Zephyr, Jr 1938
Box Folder Title Date
18 1 Clubs -- General Activities undated, 1932-1950
18 2 Clubs -- General Materials undated, 1932-1958
18 3 Clubs -- Registration Forms 1935-1943
18 4 Combined Jewish Appeal 1948-1953
18 5 Community School of Religion 1950-1958
18 6 Couple’s Club 1953-1955
18 7 Extensions undated, 1947-1955
18 8 Girl Scouts 1952-1958
18 9 Golden Age –- Activities 1951-1958
18 10 Golden Age -- Day Camp- Summer 1953-1958
18 11 Golden Age Club –- Correspondence undated, 1951-1958
18 12 Golden Age Club -- Song Sheets and Poems undated, 1950-1954
18 13 Gym Activities 1937-1957
18 14 Gym and Health Club Communications undated, 1950-1954
18 15 Hecht House Pop Nights Program 1946
18 16 Intermediates Program 1950-1959
18 17 Jewish Festival Material undated, 1943-1958
Box Folder Title Date
19 1 Junior Program 1929-1958
19 2 Keren Ami 1940-1943
19 3 Library 1946-1950
19 4 Marionette Drive undated
19 5 Membership Drive Materials undated, 1945-1954
19 6 Men’s and Women’s Association Activities 1950-1955
19 7 Men’s Association undated, 1948-1955
19 8 Nursery School –- General 1937-1957
19 9 Nursery School –- Committee 1941-1958
19 10 Nursery School –- Communication to Parents undated, 1951-1958
19 11 Nursery School –- Forms undated, 1950-1958
19 12 Nursery School –- P.T.A. 1941-1958
19 13 Nursery School –- Publications 1948-1958
19 14 Nursery School –- Staff Meetings 1949-1958
19 15 Not Group Related 1923-1958
19 16 Photographs circa1930s-1950s, 1937, 1939
19 17 Pins and Buttons 1936
19 18 Postcards undated
19 19 Pre-Teen Activities 1957-1958
Box Folder Title Date
20 1 Program Forms undated, 1950-1958
20 2 Programs -- Miscellaneous 1936-1958
20 3 Publications -- Hecht House Herald 1946-1952
20 4 Publications -- Hecht House News 1929-1939
20 5 Publications -- Hecht House Newsletter 1940-1942
20 6 Publications -- Hi-Buddy 1944
20 7 Publications -- Night Editor 1936
20 8 Publications -- Youth Journal 1945
20 9 Publicity 1911-1958
20 10 Roxbury-Dorchester Youth Forum 1940
20 11 Savings Plan undated, 1938-1939
20 12 Scholarship Program (RESTRICTED) undated, 1955-1958
20 13 Senior and Collegian Program undated, 1952-1958
20 14 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Associated Jewish Philanthropies Survey undated, 1950
20 15 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Boston Council of Social Agencies 1942
Box Folder Title Date
21 1 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Jewish Centers Association 1946
21 2 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Jewish Communal Survey of Boston 1930
21 3-4 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Jewish Welfare Board circa 1940
21 5 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Jewish Welfare Board Survey 1930
21 6 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Proposal to Remove to Dorchester 1935
21 7 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- Social and Health Agencies of Boston 1934
21 8 Studies, Reports and Surveys -- United Settlements of Greater Boston 1934, 1943
21 9-10 Tweenage Activities 1952-1953
21 11 United Jewish Appeal 1939
21 12 Women’s Association undated, 1950-1956
21 13 Women’s Neighborhood Group undated, 1940-1949
21 14 Young Adult Program undated, 1946-1955
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Series V: Activities (YMHA), undated, 1917-1958.
English.
Boxes 22-24.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content:

This series contains materials and documents relating to the activities at the Y.M.H.A. Not as detailed as the files from the Hecht House, it does provide some background through its publications on the events and clubs at the organization. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder Title Date
22 1 Adult Informal Education undated
22 2 Anniversary Ball and Week 1946
22 3 Anniversary Banquet 1952
22 4 Anniversary Week 1947
22 5 Chaverim Children’s Program undated, 1951-1952
22 6 Clubs 1942-1948
22 7 Day Camp –- General undated, 1946-1958
22 8 Day Camp –- Committee 1942-1958
22 9 Day Camp –- Reports 1937-1958
22 10 Father and Son Dinner 1946
22 11 Greenberg Plaque 1942
22 12 Gym Banquet 1949
22 13 Harvest Ball undated, 1945-1947
22 14 Honor Roll 1943-1944
22 15 Keren Ami 1945-1947
22 16 Nursery School undated, 1949-1953
22 17 Patches undated, 1946
22 18 Photographs circa 1930s-1950s
22 19 Programs and Events undated, 1940-1956
22 20 Publications -- Club Times undated, 1934-1940
Box Folder Title Date
23 1 Publications -- Day Camp 1934-1959
23 2 Publications -- Misc. undated, 1933-1940
23 3 Publications -- Council of Y.M.H. and Kindred Associations circa 1917
Box Folder Title Date
24 1 Publications -- Service Men’s Bulletin 1944-1945
24 2 Publications -- The “Y Herald” 1946-1950
24 3 Publications -- YMHA Review 1956
24 4 Purim Ball 1948
24 5 Service Men’s Center undated, 1942
24 6 Victory Ball 1926, 1946
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Series VI: Activities (Merged), undated, 1953-1964.
English.
Box 24.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content:

This series contains materials and documents relating to the activities and events at the Y.M.H.A.-Hecht House following the merger of the two organizations. Please note that the files on the Summer Day Camp and Nursery School staff are restricted. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder Title Date
24    7 Broadside circa 1960
Box Folder Title Date
24 8 Camp Chebacco Outing 1953, 1961-1963
24 9 First Sunday Adult Series 1962-1963
24 10 Gym Activities 1961-1962
24 11 Nursery School –- General 1960-1964
24 12 Nursery School –- Business 1961-1963
24 13 Nursery School -- P.T.A. 1961-1964
24 14 Nursery School -- Staff (RESTRICTED) 1961-1964
24 15 Photographs, 1963 circa 1960s
24 16 Program Plans undated, 1960-1963
24 17 Publications 1961-1965
24 18 Sidman Testimonial 1961
24 19 Summer Day Camp (RESTRICTED) 1959-1962
24 20 Young Couple’s Club 1962
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Series VII: Relations with other Organizations, undated, 1937-1963.
English.
Boxes 25-27.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content:

This series contains records pertaining to several organizations and associations that worked with the Y.M.H.A-Hecht House. Included are reports, surveys and information pertaining to camps, personnel and other activities that were supported or sponsored by one of these associations or organizations. Hecht House was affiliated with the National Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers, the National Jewish Welfare Board, and the Jewish Centers Association of Greater Boston. It was a constituent member of the Associated Jewish Philanthropies of Boston. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder Title Date
25 1 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- General 1944-1962
25 2 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Camp Committee 1950
25 3 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Camp Chabacco undated, 1952-1956
25 4 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Camp Kingswood/General 1951-1952
25 5 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Camp Kingswood/Operating Committee 1951-1952
25 6 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Group Work Services undated, 1949, 1960
25 7 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Joint Intake Program 1948-1957
25 8 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Nursery School Committee undated, 1949-1950
25 9 Associated Jewish Philanthropies -- Workers’ Council undated, 1937
25 10 Central Service Agency for Group Work undated, 1951-1952
25 11 Combined Jewish Philanthropies 1961-1963
25 12 Greater Boston Council of Jewish Centers -- General 1946-1949
25 13 Greater Boston Council of Jewish Centers -- Camps 1947-1949
25 14 Greater Boston Council of Jewish Centers -- Camp Emoh 1947
25 15 Greater Boston Council of Jewish Centers -- Greater Boston Professional Group undated, 1949-1953
25 16 Greater Boston Council of Jewish Centers -- Metropolitan Leaders Council 1947-1949
25 17 Jewish Camps in New England undated, 1940-1961
25 18 Jewish Centers Association -- Activities undated, 1945-1951
25 19 Jewish Centers Association -- Aged Program undated, 1955-1960
25 20 Jewish Centers Association -- Budget 1951-1954
25 21 Jewish Centers Association -- By-laws and Board of Directors undated, 1944-1959
Box Folder Title Date
26 1 Jewish Centers Association –- Correspondence 1952-1960
26 2 Jewish Centers Association -- Dorchester-Mattapan-Roxbury Planning Committee 1946-1957
26 3 Jewish Centers Association -- Executive Council Conference 1951-1959
26 4 Jewish Centers Association -- Facilities Committee 1946
26 5 Jewish Centers Association -- Golden Age Council 1957-1958
26 6 Jewish Centers Association -- Hale Camping Reservation undated, 1955-1960
26 7 Jewish Centers Association -- Leisure Time Services Committee undated, 1950
26 8 Jewish Centers Association -- Location Committee 1946
26 9 Jewish Centers Association -- Nursery School undated, 1950-1955
26 10 Jewish Centers Association -- Personnel Practices 1951-1960
26 11 Jewish Centers Association -- Plans and Scope Committee 1955-1956
26 12 Jewish Centers Association -- Program Committee 1952
26 13 Jewish Centers Association -- Staff Meeting 1952
26 14 Jewish Centers Association -- Summer Day Camp undated, 1952-1960
26 15 Jewish Centers Association -- Synagogue-Center Relations undated, 1956
26 16 Jewish Centers Association -- Teenage Problem Study 1956-1958
26 17 Jewish Centers Association -- United Jewish Youth Council 1952-1953
26 18 Jewish Centers Association -- Women’s Council 1952-1960
26 19 Jewish Community Center Camps: Naomi and Joseph undated, 1960-1961
26 20 Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Boston 1950-1962
26 21 Jewish Welfare Board –- National undated, 1948-1963
26 22 Jewish Welfare Board -- New England Section/Administrative Committee 1946-1952
26 23 Jewish Welfare Board -- New England Section/Bulletin 1946-1953
26 24 Jewish Welfare Board -- New England Section/Constitution & Activities 1946-1952
Box Folder Title Date
27 1 Jewish Welfare Board -- New England Section/Conventions 1948-1951
27 2 Jewish Welfare Board -- New England Section/Executive Board 1946-1953
27 3 Jewish Welfare Board -- New England Section/Physical Education Committee 1946-1952
27 4 National Association of Jewish Center Workers 1940-1952
27 5 New England Association of Jewish Center Workers 1944-1953
27 6 New England Association of Jewish Center Youth Councils 1946-1951
27 7 New England Association of Young Adult Councils 1946-1950
27 8 New England Conference of Center Women’s Groups undated, 1945, 1952
27 9 United Jewish Youth Council 1948-1953
27 10 United Synagogue of America undated, 1963
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Series VIII: Oversized, 1937-1958.
English.
OS1F Folders 1-3.
Box Folder Title Date
OS1F 1 Pioneer Camp Budget 1937-1958
Box Folder Title Date
OS1F 2 Hecht House Herald 1946-1952
OS1F 3 House Blueprints 1946-1954
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