Title: Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Collection- Part 1 Genre: Records Date : 1899-1990 (Predominantly, 1950-1980) Size : 301.5 linear feet ID #: 1491 OCLC: ©Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs HEFA.01c.update |
Scope & Contents
The records of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, formerly the Jewish Welfare Federation, were transferred to the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs in 1991 when the Federation moved its main offices from a building it had occupied since 1951.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is a philanthropic agency serving the area’s Jewish community. It provides partial funding to numerous area agencies. In partnership with its member agencies, the Federation identifies needs within the community, mobilizes human and financial resources, engages in communal planning and allocation and advocates to meet those needs.
The papers represent a segment of the entire collection. They contain information about the Federation, its executive body, its divisions, its member agencies, the personal papers of several individuals instrumental in the organization’s operation over the years, as well as papers related to the Federation’s connection with the Council of Jewish Welfare Federations, United Community Services and the United Jewish Appeal.
Previously, the historical records of the Federation were housed in the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library. Those records were transferred to the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs early in 1997 and are described in a separate guide, Part 2 of the the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Collection.
This collection has been arranged first by subject area, then alphabetically and chronologically within each segment. Usually the chronological order is ascending, although attempts to maintain the original order of the creator of the records have left some categories in descending date order. Files identified as general files contain an assortment of material pertaining the broad subject heading.
423 manuscript boxes
57 flats
Series I, Administration, Boxes 1-127 To Series I Box List
The Administrative Series include correspondence, minutes, agendas, internal memoranda, published papers, booklets, and brochures. The Series consists of three subseries Executive Director, History, and Annual Meetings. The papers focus on the administrations connection to its member agencies, larger bodies to which it belongs and its overall operation.
Series I, Subseries A, Executive Director, Boxes 1-119 To Series Ia Box List
The papers of the Executive Director include correspondence, minutes, agendas, internal memoranda, published papers, booklets, and brochures. They cover the entire spectrum of Federation activities. The papers, although not complete, over time periods encompassing all of the organizations Executive Director’s up to the 1990s and the working papers of the Director’s office during that period.
Series I, Subseries B, Histories, Boxes 120-125 To Series Ib Box List
Historic materials of the Federation as well as documentation on Jewish history in Detroit. Papers, publications, studies, correspondence, transcripts, reports, and notes pertaining to the Federation, its member agencies and the Jewish community in Detroit.
Series I, Subseries C, Federation Annual Meetings, Boxes 126-127 To Series Ic Box List
Papers and programs from Annual Meetings between 1960 and 1973. Also includes Federation Annual Reports from 1955-1995.
Series II, Divisions, Boxes 128-335 To Series II Box List
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is completed of several internal Divisions and Member agencies. These units each maintained records of their individual interaction. The papers consist of minutes, agendas, reports, summaries, memos and correspondence, in addition to workbooks, manuals, bulletins, and published documents.
Series II, Subseries A, Aged, Boxes 128-129 To Series IIa Box List
Although Aged is not a division or agency, a separate body of papers was saved internally to cover issues pertaining to the issues of aging during the 1940s and 1950s. The papers consist of reports, statements, pamphlets, newsletters, correspondence, papers, studies and summaries covering that period.
Series II, Subseries B, Agencies, Boxes 130-168 To Series IIb Box List
Contains correspondence, audits, reports, minutes, agendas and summaries pertaining to the Agencies that work with and receive funding from the Jewish Federation.
Series II, Subseries C, Budget & Planning, Boxes 169-220 To Series IIc Box List
The Budget and Planning Division oversees allocation of funds. This series contains financial records, minutes, reports, studies, and budgets.
Series II, Subseries D, Community Relations, Boxes 221-226 To Series IId Box List
The Division participates in funding National Agencies. This series contains Minutes, Annual Reports, Correspondence, Budget Manuals, and public relations.
Series II, Subseries E, Community Service, Boxes 227-231 To Series IIe Box List
The Community Service Division focuses on member agencies with emphasis on studies and reports. This series contains minutes, correspondence, agendas, lists, and budgets.
Series II, Subseries F, Culture & Education, Boxes 232-256 To Series IIf Box List
The Culture and Education Division has its focus on agency and Federation actions pertaining to Religious Education and community living. The series contains studies, statistics, reports, minutes, correspondence, and clippings.
Series II, Subseries G, Detroit Service Group, Boxes 257-267 To Series IIg Box List
The Detroit Service Group is the volunteer fundraising arm of Federation. This series contains member lists, contribution information, and fundraising files.
Series II, Subseries H, Health and Welfare, Boxes 268-304 To Series IIh Box List
The papers of the Health and Welfare Division consist of correspondence, reports, minutes, budgets, memos, and Annual Reports.
Series II, Subseries I, Insurance, Boxes 305-306 To Series IIi Box List
Materials in this series consist of policies and insurance related documents.
Series II, Subseries J, Junior Division, Boxes 307-314 To Series IIj Box List
The Junior Division represents younger volunteers within the organization. This series consists of papers related to the operation of the division including minutes, reports, agendas, and correspondence.
Series II, Subseries K, National Agencies, Boxes 315-319 To Series IIk Box List
The National Agencies papers consist of correspondence, financial reports, and reports.
Series II, Subseries L, Women's Division, Boxes 320-335 To Series IIl Box List
The papers in this subseries represent the files of the Women’s Division between 1940 and 1980. Papers include correspondence, minutes, agendas, budgets, lists, and summaries.
Series III, Fundraising, Boxes 336-401 To Series III Box List
This series contains Federation papers pertaining to the fundraising mechanisms of the organization. Papers include correspondence, reports, lists, summaries, budgets, memos, and agendas.
Series III, Subseries A, Allied Jewish Campaign, Boxes 336-368 To Series IIIa Box List
The Allied Jewish Campaign is the major fundraising undertaking of the organization. The papers in this series include member lists, correspondence, reports, summaries, budgets, agendas, and memos.
Series III, Subseries B, United Community Service, Boxes 369-373 To Series IIIb Box List
During the 1950s the then Jewish Welfare Federation participated in the combined drive of United Community Service. Not only did Federation assist in the drive, but it was a recipient of funding as well.
Series III, Subseries C, United Jewish Appeal, Boxes 374-379 To Series IIIc Box List
The United Jewish Appeal is a nationwide effort to raise funds for Jewish causes. Again Federation is a participant in fundraising efforts and a recipient of funding. The papers in this series include correspondence, minutes, reports, and agendas.
Series III, Subseries D, United Jewish Campaign, Boxes 380-399 To Series IIId Box List
The United Jewish Campaign began in 1899 later becoming the Jewish Welfare Federation. The UJC continued as the charitable arm of the Federation. It became the United Jewish Foundation in 1991. UJC continues to maintain long term assets. The series contains papers pertaining to all of these areas.
Series III, Subseries E, War Chest, Boxes 400-401 To Series IIIe Box List
During World War II the War Chest took the place of the Allied Jewish Campaign. The series contains budgets, lists, correspondence, memos, and reports.
Series IV, General Assembly, Boxes 402-403 To Series IV Box List
In 1980 the General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations was held in Detroit. This series contains papers including correspondence, minutes, programs, invitations, and reports.
Series V, Personal Papers, Boxes 404-423 To Series V Box List
This series contains the personal papers of individuals who played a key roll in the operation of Federation throughout its history. It contains correspondence, speeches, memos, and journal articles in addition to personal memorabilia of individuals who served as Executive Director and those who maintained long-term Federation ties.
Series V, Subseries A, Avrunin, William, Boxes 404-405 To Series Va Box List
William Avrunin served as Executive Director from 1964 to 1973. The papers in this series consist of his correspondence and notes.
Series V, Subseries B, Chapin, Ann, Box 406 To Series Vb Box List
The papers in this subseries consist primarily of those used in preparation of the manuscript of The History of the Jews of Michigan. The subseries also contains some brochures and correspondence.
Series V, Subseries C, Drachler, Sol, Boxes 407-409 To Series Vc Box List
Sol Drachler served as Executive Director. This subseries contains his correspondence while in that position.
Series V, Subseries D, Feinstein, Wayne, Boxes 410-411 To Series Vd Box List
Wayne Feinstein served as Federation Executive Director. These papers come from his term of leadership.
Series V, Subseries E, Mandelkorn, Ben, Box 412 To Series Ve Box List
The papers in this subseries are the correspondence related to Mandelkorn’s efforts with Federation.
Series V, Subseries F, Peiser, Kurt, Box 413-415 To Series Vf Box List
Kurt Peiser served as Executive Director. Correspondence from his time as Director are included in this subseries.
Series V, Subseries G, Prussian, Esther, Boxes 416-423 To Series Vg Box List
Esther Prussian held a variety of positions within Federation including chair of the Allied Jewish Campaign. This series contains her record of activities including correspondence, budgets, memos, lists, and minutes.
Series VI, Scrapbooks & Ledgers, Boxes 424-480 To Series VI Box List
This series contains ledgers and scrapbooks pertaining to the operation of the Federation and its member agencies.