Samuel Gurvitz Papers
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains photographs, schedules and notes from Gurvitz's trips to Palestine (1934 and 1936), Paris, Berlin and Warsaw (1939), and Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Paris (1939.) The European trips, sponsored by the American Joint Distribution Committee, centered on visiting camps for illegal refugees and Jewish towns. His notes discuss the political and emotional mood in Europe at this time due to the impact of Nazi Germany. The notes are a firsthand account of what was happening to Jews in Germany, with specific examples.
Dates
- 1934-1939
Creator
- Gurvitz, Samuel H. (Person)
Language of Materials
The collection is in English.
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.
Biographical Note
Samuel H. Gurvitz was born in Boston and graduated from Boston English High School in 1921 and Suffolk Law School in 1926. A resident of Newton, Massachusetts, he owned the New England Millwork Distributors in Dorchester, Massachusetts for 30 years and practiced law privately. He was married to Rima Gans and together they had two daughters, Joy and Linda.
Gurvitz was a World War II veteran. In addition to his businesses he was a volunteer program director at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale and the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton. He also conducted services at Brighton Marine Hospital.
Gurvitz died on February 12, 1987.
References
- Obituary of Samuel H. Gurvitz in the Boston Globe, published February 12, 1987 (page 58.)
Chronology
- 1921
- Graduated from Boston English High School
- 1926
- Graduated from Suffolk Law School
- 1934, 1936
- Trips to Palestine (sponsored by the American Joint Distribution Committee.)
- 1939
- Trips to Paris, Berlin and Warsaw; and Budapest, Vienna, Paris and Prague (sponsored by the American Joint Distribution Committee.)
- February 12, 1987
- SG dies.
Extent
0.25 linear feet (1 half*manuscript box)
Abstract
Samuel H. Gurvitz was the owner of New England Millworks in Dorchester, Massachusetts and a veteran of World War II. In 1936 and 1939, he visited Palestine, and the photographs from this trip are included in the collection. In 1939 Gurvitz visited Paris, Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna and Prague and witnessed firsthand how the political situation in Nazi Germany was impacting European Jews. His notes from these trips are also included in this collection.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Samuel H. Gurvitz in 1974, 1978 and 1981.
Processing Information
Reprocessed by Stephanie Call, 2009
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
- Berlin (Germany)
- Budapest (Hungary)
- Contact sheets
- Göring, Hermann, 1893-1946
- Holocaust
- Kristallnacht, 1938 -- Germany -- Berlin
- Notes
- Palestine
- Paris (France)
- Photographs
- Prague (Czech Republic)
- Refugees, Jewish -- Europe
- Vienna (Austria)
- Warsaw (Poland)
- World War, 1939-1945
- Title
- Guide to the Samuel Gurvitz Papers, P-352
- Author
- Reprocessed by Stephanie Call
- Date
- 2009
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Sponsor
- Processed by Stephanie Call, Schilder Assistant Archivist, made possible by a grant from the Schilder Family Fund. This collection has been digitized, made possible by a grant from the Trustees u/w of Herman Dana.
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository