The Jewish Community Archives at the Reuther Library: Additions and Revisions

The Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives document the rich and varied history of the Detroit Jewish community. In 1991, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit placed the bulk of its archival holdings in the Reuther Library. The collection dates back to the beginning of the United Jewish Charities in 1899. Through the years, the Jewish Community Archives (JCA) at the Reuther Library has expanded to include more than two million documents chronicling the growth and development of the Federation and its member agencies and Jewish communal agencies.

Recently, some new collections have been added and some revisions have been made to finding aids.

JFMD Records
The records of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit (JFMD) comprise the largest collection in the JCA. A third part has now been added, and the finding aid for the three parts has been updated online and in the Reuther Reading Room. Part 3 is made up of 20 boxes of documents including papers of the JFMD and United Jewish Foundation from 1964-2005 (predominately 1987-2000). These include correspondence, minutes, notes, programs and reports of the president, officers and boards, and committees. Two boxes contain microfilms of Jewish Welfare Federation scrapbooks from 1925 through 1955 and scrapbooks from JWF’s Women’s Division from 1947-1987. Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Records

JFMD Videos
This collection of videos includes many JFMD activities and special events from the 1980s through 2013 including annual meetings, board of governors meetings, promotional pieces and interviews. It also includes videos from JFMD’s department, the Agency for Jewish Education (AJE). These materials are housed in the Reuther AV department and a finding aid is available at the Reuther website. Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Video Collection

JFMD Microfilms
This collection includes the microfilmed minute books of the Jewish Welfare Federation, later known as the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, the United Jewish Charities and the Detroit Service Group, as well as scrapbooks of the Jewish Federation and its Women’s Division. The microfilms are now available in the Reuther Library Reading Room and a finding aid is available at the Reuther website. Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Microfilms

Sinai Hospital Records--revised
Part 2 of this collection is now available for researchers. The Sinai Hospital Records reflect the history of the establishment and operation of a Jewish hospital in Detroit from 1900-1999. The new part includes annual reports and various administrative documents, including those from the Board of Directors, Board of Trustees and the Staff Executive Committee. Three boxes of materials have been transferred to the Reuther Library Audiovisual Department. Sinai Hospital Records

Auxiliary for Jewish Home and Aging Services Records--new
Records from this service organization, established with the first Jewish Old Folks Home in 1907, are now available for research. These documents are from 1933 to 2007 and including administrative records, meeting minutes and correspondence, memorabilia from programs and events, photos, scrapbooks and several quilts made by staff and residents. Auxiliary for Jewish Home and Aging Services Records

Sol Panush Papers—new
This is a small collection of personal papers from Sol Panush, who was a chemical engineer, inventor and author. Most of it relates to his work in automotive color. Sol Panush Papers

Jewish Community Center Records—new
These records include JCC programming and events at its many locations, from the Fenkell Branch to the West Bloomfield campus, from 1935 to 2005. The collection includes meeting minutes from various governing groups and papers from the Jewish Book Fair, Jewish Parents Institute, day care and camp programs and the Jewish Ensemble Theater, as well as the Music Department, Festival Dancers and the Sholem Aleichem Institute. Jewish Community Center Records

Glennwood ORT Records—new
The bulk of these materials relates to the organization’s internal operations and programming, including photographs, program fliers, newsletters, and meeting minutes, dating from its origin in 1962 up to 2011. Glenwood ORT Records

Janice Charach Gallery Records—new
The Janice Charach Gallery Records include the business and administrative records for the organization, as well as the exhibit materials for every show since its inception in 1990 until 2011. Janice Charach Gallery Records

Sholem Aleichem Institute Records
The finding aid for the records of this educational and cultural institution has been updated. It is available at the Reuther website. Sholem Aleichem Institute Records

Detroit Jewish Newspapers
This microfilm collection of 23 reels was recently borrowed by the Jewish News Foundation for digitization. It is again available in the Reuther Reading Room.Detroit Jewish Newspapers