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Descriptive Summary
Creator:	Abraham and Frieda Wolper
Title:	Abraham and Frieda Wolper, papers
Dates:	1949
Abstract:	The Wolpers were a Jewish family from Chelsea, Massachusetts. In 1949, they issued a petition to the school board, raising concerns about Christmas carols and pageants in public schools. The resulting negative criticism from Jews and non-Jews, as well as the anti-Semitic letters sent to the Wolpers, eventually caused them to remove the petition. The collection includes the letters sent to the Wolpers, as well as newspaper clippings and correspondence with the school board.
Languages:	The collection is in English.
Quantity:	.25 linear feet (1 half manuscript box)
Identification:	P-531
Repository:	American Jewish Historical Society
Location:	Located at AJHS, Boston, MA.

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Biographical Note

Abraham and Frieda Wolper

Abraham and Frieda Wolper were Jewish parents in Chelsea, Massachusetts. In 1949, the Wolpers submitted a petition with the school board about Christmas carols and displays of Christmas pageants in public schools. Criticism from Jews and non-Jews, including virulently anti-Semitic correspondence sent to the Wolpers, forced them to withdraw their petition.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection contains letters sent to the Wolpers denouncing their petition. Many of the letters are anti-Semitic in nature, arguing that the Wolpers are anti-American and should go back to Russia. Newspaper clippings about the petition and letters to the School Board, including the one withdrawing the petition, are included.

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Arrangement

The collection is organized into a single series.

• Papers of Abraham and Frieda Wolper, 1949

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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

Jewish Community Relations Council, I-123

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Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); Abraham and Frieda Wolper, papers; P-531; box number; folder number; American Jewish Historical Society, Boston, MA and New York, NY.

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Acquisition Information

Acquisition information not found.

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Access Points

• Subject Names:

  • Wolper, Abraham
  • Wolper, Frieda

• Subject Topics:

  • Antisemitism--United States
  • Christmas
  • Church and state--New England

• Subject Places:

  • Chelsea (Mass.)

• Document types:

  • Correspondence
  • Newspaper clippings

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Container List

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

Papers of Abraham and Frieda Wolper, 1949.
English.
Box 1.
Scope and Content: See Scope and Content Note.
Box	Folder	Title	Date
1	1	Community Responses	December 1949
1	2	Newspaper Clippings	December 1949
1	3	Correspondence with School Committee	December 1949

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