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Jewish Culture Club (Boston, Mass.) Records

 Collection
Identifier: I-179

Scope and Content Note

The main part of the collection is a notebook containing the protocols of the club’s meetings during the first years of its existence (1924-1926). The protocols record the rich cultural program of the club that consisted of lectures about philosophical and ethical questions and topics like the history of Yiddish literature, Jews in the world of music, and the education of Jewish children. Of interest are mentions of talks given by famous Jewish intellectuals, among them the writers Peretz Hirschbein, Shmuel Niger, and Alexander Mukdoni, and the editor of the Jewish Advocate, Alexander Brin. The club also hosted music concerts and celebrations of Jewish holidays in which their importance for a modern Jewish community was discussed. For a later period (1942-1943), the collection contains copies of invitations for meetings held at the club against the backdrop of the Holocaust, including talks about "Different Races" or "The Purpose of Jewish Culture."

Dates

  • undated, 1924-1963

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English and Yiddish.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Historical Note

The Jewish Culture Club was founded in Boston in 1924. It consisted of 30-40 men who met semi-monthly at the Parker and American Houses. The club’s first president was Morris Katzeff, a lawyer and a leading personality in local Jewish and Zionist circles. Among the club’s members was Boris Morros, who later became a film producer at Paramount Pictures and a double agent for the FBI against the Soviet Union.

References

  1. Materials from the collection
  2. "Obituaries: Morris Katzeff Passes Away." Jewish Advocate. November 1, 1940.

Extent

0.25 linear feet (1 half-manuscript box)

Abstract

The Jewish Cultural Club (Boston) was established in 1924 upon the initiative of six young local Jews who wished to hold regular meetings to discuss cultural and social problems related to Jewish life. The club was founded as a branch of the Jewish National Workers’ Alliance. This collection contains meeting minutes and a few other materials that illustrate the goals the club members set for their organization and the different initiatives they took to achieve them.

Physical Location

Located in Boston, Mass.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information is unknown.

Processing Information

Processed by Amir Zelinger, 2018

Title
Guide to Jewish Culture Club (Boston, Mass.) Records, I-179
Author
Processed by Amir Zelinger
Date
2018
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository

Contact:
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02116 United States
617-226-1245