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American Jewish Committee: AJC Community Services and Membership Department (ca. 1944 - ca. 1971)
Collection IDRG 347.4
Sizeca. 60 linear feet
Collection Description
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is a Jewish advocacy group established in 1906. It has been described by the New York Times as "widely regarded as the dean of American Jewish organizations." The founders of the AJC were concerned about pogroms against the Jewish population of Russia; the group's official statement of purpose was to "prevent infringement of the civil and religious rights of Jews and to alleviate the consequences of persecution."
The organization was led in its early years by lawyer Louis Marshall, banker Jacob H. Schiff, Judge Mayer Sulzberger, scholar Cyrus Adler, and other well-to-do and politically connected Jews. Most were from New York City while others lived in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Later leaders were Judge Joseph M. Proskauer, industrialist Jacob Blaustein, and lawyer Irving M. Engel. In addition to the central office in New York City, local offices were established around the country.
Over the course of its long history, the AJC has worked to safeguard minorities; fight terrorism, anti-Semitism, and bigotry; pursue social justice; advance human dignity; support Israel's right to exist in peace and security; defend religious freedom; and provide humanitarian relief to those in need. The organization works through advocacy, education, research, and extensive diplomatic outreach. In addition to its efforts on behalf of the Jewish people, the AJC has a history of fighting against racial and other forms of discrimination in the U.S.; for example, it filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the May 1954 case of Brown v. Board of Education and participated various events of the civil rights movement. It has regional offices in more than 20 American cities, 9 overseas offices, and 32 international partnerships with Jewish communal institutions around the world.
The AJC's Community Services and Membership Department has been responsible for implementing its policies and programs in local communities, chapters, and field offices. The YIVO collection includes files from the following offices: Atlanta, 1953-1968; Boston, 1947-1968; Chicago and Milwaukee, 1944-1971; Cleveland, 1950-1970; Newark, 1947-1964; San Francisco, 1946-1966; and White Plains (for Westchester and Upstate New York), 1955-1968.
The office of the Essex County Chapter of the American Jewish Committee was based in Newark, at 45 Branford Place, in the 1950s. Myron M. Ruby was chairman and Harry Steiner was president of the Chapter in this period. Area Director Sydney Kellner handled day-to-day operations of the office, and acted as liaison, not only to other Newark and Essex County organizations and individuals, but also kept in close touch with the AJC National Office. To a large extent, the materials in this collection are his office files.
The organization was led in its early years by lawyer Louis Marshall, banker Jacob H. Schiff, Judge Mayer Sulzberger, scholar Cyrus Adler, and other well-to-do and politically connected Jews. Most were from New York City while others lived in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Later leaders were Judge Joseph M. Proskauer, industrialist Jacob Blaustein, and lawyer Irving M. Engel. In addition to the central office in New York City, local offices were established around the country.
Over the course of its long history, the AJC has worked to safeguard minorities; fight terrorism, anti-Semitism, and bigotry; pursue social justice; advance human dignity; support Israel's right to exist in peace and security; defend religious freedom; and provide humanitarian relief to those in need. The organization works through advocacy, education, research, and extensive diplomatic outreach. In addition to its efforts on behalf of the Jewish people, the AJC has a history of fighting against racial and other forms of discrimination in the U.S.; for example, it filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the May 1954 case of Brown v. Board of Education and participated various events of the civil rights movement. It has regional offices in more than 20 American cities, 9 overseas offices, and 32 international partnerships with Jewish communal institutions around the world.
The AJC's Community Services and Membership Department has been responsible for implementing its policies and programs in local communities, chapters, and field offices. The YIVO collection includes files from the following offices: Atlanta, 1953-1968; Boston, 1947-1968; Chicago and Milwaukee, 1944-1971; Cleveland, 1950-1970; Newark, 1947-1964; San Francisco, 1946-1966; and White Plains (for Westchester and Upstate New York), 1955-1968.
The office of the Essex County Chapter of the American Jewish Committee was based in Newark, at 45 Branford Place, in the 1950s. Myron M. Ruby was chairman and Harry Steiner was president of the Chapter in this period. Area Director Sydney Kellner handled day-to-day operations of the office, and acted as liaison, not only to other Newark and Essex County organizations and individuals, but also kept in close touch with the AJC National Office. To a large extent, the materials in this collection are his office files.
Collection Contents
The files consist of administrative files, activity reports, and incoming and outgoing correspondence with the national AJC, with national and local organizations, and with individuals. The papers pertain to subjects of local and national interest, such as anti-Semitic incidents and personalities, segregation/desegregation, Catholic-Jewish relations, civil rights, communism, ecumenical activities, religion and education, urban renewal, women and the AJC, extremism, housing, race relations, and surveys of Jewish attitudes. Three boxes in the collection contain records of the New Jersey Area; in the first box is a file labeled "Index N. J." containing a typescript list of all filenames in the New Jersey boxes. The New Jersey files contain material relating to national issues and AJC policies, but they are also rich in clippings from the local press, including the "Jewish News," local correspondence and reports, and lists of AJC contacts and activists in Newark and Essex County. The files are in alphabetical order, but are not numbered.
Box CSD # 1: contains many files headed "Civil Liberties" or "Civil Rights," with various sub-headings.
A file labeled "Anti-Semitism, Muslims (Elijah Muhammad)," includes detailed reports by AJC contacts on a Black Muslim meeting addressed by Muhammad on September 6, 1959, and on another Black Muslim meeting, July 29, 1959. Some of these accounts are by Walter Chambers of the Mayor's Commission on Group Relations, and some by journalists; the file also includes transcripts of a duplicated letter of invitation to the meeting and of related clippings, some from the black press; and other reports and memos, with details of Black Muslim meetings and activities in Newark, names of supporters, etc. The AJC was investigating to ascertain whether anti-Semitism was prevalent in the group.
"Civil Liberties, Bigelow Case, NJ Senate," contains material on the opposition to the appointment of Judge John O. Bigelow as a Trustee of Rutgers University (1956), because he had acted as a defense attorney for Newark teacher Robert Lowenstein. Includes a copy of the decision of the NJ Commissioner of Education opposing the 1955 action of the Newark Board of Education in dismissing teachers Estella Laba, Robert Lowenstein, and Perry Zimmerman on allegations of subversive beliefs, and calling for their reinstatemet.
"Civil Liberties, Congressional Investigations, Newark, NJ," contains correspondence, memos, public statements, and drafts -- mostly to or from Arnold Harris of the Essex County Intergroup Council regarding statements prepared by the Council and other supporting groups in response to the planned hearings by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) in Newark, May 1955 and September 3-5, 1958. Issues discussed include HUAC procedures, the suspension of Newark teachers (1955), loyalty oaths, etc. The local AJC is a member organization of the Council, but its national and local officers are hesitant about signing on to any statement that doesn't make explicit its opposition to Communism; they are clearly suspicious of some Newark left-wing and labor groups that are attempting to organize anti-HUAC protests.
"Civil Liberties -- Loyalty Oaths and Questionnaires, Newark, NJ," contains a draft of an AJC statement protesting against the Newark City Council's resolution mandating a loyalty oath for city employees and teachers (1955)
"Civil Rights," includes a report to the local chapter from attorney John H. Kaufman, 60 Park Place, who chairs the local chapter's Civil Rights Committee and serves on the national Civil Rights Committee of the AJC (1958); and a letter from Rabbi Ely Pilchik about a planned public meeting at his synagogue, B'nai Jeshurun (1954)
"Civil Rights - Discrimination Classified Advertising," includes a report with quotations od many examples of discriminatory advertising (Christian-only, white-only, etc.) in Newark (1952) and a report of a meeting between AJC members and Richard Scudder, publisher of the Newark Evening News, re: discriminatory ads in the paper (1954)
There are also several files on discrimination in education, including fraternities and medical schools (1953-1959).
"Fair Employment Practices Week - Newark" (1936-1954)
"Civil Rights, Discrimination, Police Brutality, Newark, NJ," includes several clippings from the Newark Evening News on an incident involving alleged police brutality against young Puerto Rican men in Newark (Sep 8-17, 1955), noting the involvement of the "newly formed" Puerto Rican Civil Rights Committee. Some clippings are about similar allegations presented to David M. Litwin, chairman of the Newark Civil Rights Commission (1951-1952).
Box #2: "Community Relations, Intergroup and Race Relations (Negro-Jewish Relations)," includes a detailed report on black attitudes toward Jews in Newark, sent by Sydney Kellner to Lucy Dawidowicz, who is doing a study on black-Jewish relations for the AJC national office (Jun 9 1958); Kellner's report summarizes the opinions of James Pawley, director of the Urban League of Essex County.
"Desegregation in Newark Schools" (1961), includes a lengthy report by Sydney Kellner on problems of the Newark school system and the ongoing complaints of the local NAACP about discrimination, school districting, etc. Stanley Winters is Chairman of the Newark NAACP Education Committee. There is also correspondence regarding meetings with others to discuss the allegations.
"Human Rights, Freedom Campaign" (1954), includes material on a campaign whereby 14 Newark organizations wrote statements reaffirming their faith in the American heritage of freedom. The campaign was initiated by members of the Newark Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. It started with a joint declaration called "A Reaffirmation of Faith," issued on July 4, 1954. Among the signers of this statement were: Charles R. Ehrhardt, President of the Newark Church Fellowship; Mayor Leo P. Carlin; Henry Austin, Newark Ethical Society; Samuel Cooper, American Jewish Congress; Philip C. Camurro, Vice-President of the Newark Teachers Union; Theodore Pettigrew, President Newark Chapter, NAACP; Sylvia Josephson, President of the Newark Chapter, American Association for the United Nations; Sydney Kellner of the AJC; Morris Fuchs, American Federation of Labor - Essex Trades Council; Mrs. Arthur Bernstein, Newark League of Women Voters, etc. Individual organizations' statements were published in the Newark Evening News starting July 6, 1954.
"Human Rights, United Nations, AAUN High School Contest" (1957-1959). The NJ AAUN provided study materials for its annual statewide contest, which had both exam and essay components. In 1958 three of the four Honorable Mention winners were Newark residents: Karl H. Huber, Mary Ann Iannuzzi, and Gail Malmgreen.
Box #3: "Politics, Elections, N.J. Conservative Party," includes an election card with a list of 1957 Essex County NJCP candidates, notes, clippings, and an unsigned, detailed report by someone who attended a meeting sponsored by "Americans against Communism" at Sokol Hall, 38 Morris Ave., Newark (Jun 21, 1956), with verbatim quotations of extreme and eccentric right-wing, anti-black, and anti-Jewish remarks by various speakers.
"Women in AJC," includes a list of 95 women members of the Essex County AJC. No addresses are given, but many are from Newark. (1956)
"Youth, Juvenile Delinquency," includes a clipping on the Newark Citizens Committee to Combat Juvenile Delinquency, headed by Judge Joseph H. Lerner, and its pilot program in the Central Ward (1953-1954). Also present is material on other initiatives of the City Council and various local organizations; clippings on overcrowded conditions in schools and trouble at housing projects; and a report on an open forum meeting of the "Citizens Advisory Committee on Tension Control," sponsored by the Mayor's Commission on Group Relations, at the Newark Board of Education (May 27, 1953). The report summarizes the remarks of many speakers and citizens, concerned about "gang wars and racial tension in Newark" and the need for more trained professionals to cope with it.
Box CSD # 1: contains many files headed "Civil Liberties" or "Civil Rights," with various sub-headings.
A file labeled "Anti-Semitism, Muslims (Elijah Muhammad)," includes detailed reports by AJC contacts on a Black Muslim meeting addressed by Muhammad on September 6, 1959, and on another Black Muslim meeting, July 29, 1959. Some of these accounts are by Walter Chambers of the Mayor's Commission on Group Relations, and some by journalists; the file also includes transcripts of a duplicated letter of invitation to the meeting and of related clippings, some from the black press; and other reports and memos, with details of Black Muslim meetings and activities in Newark, names of supporters, etc. The AJC was investigating to ascertain whether anti-Semitism was prevalent in the group.
"Civil Liberties, Bigelow Case, NJ Senate," contains material on the opposition to the appointment of Judge John O. Bigelow as a Trustee of Rutgers University (1956), because he had acted as a defense attorney for Newark teacher Robert Lowenstein. Includes a copy of the decision of the NJ Commissioner of Education opposing the 1955 action of the Newark Board of Education in dismissing teachers Estella Laba, Robert Lowenstein, and Perry Zimmerman on allegations of subversive beliefs, and calling for their reinstatemet.
"Civil Liberties, Congressional Investigations, Newark, NJ," contains correspondence, memos, public statements, and drafts -- mostly to or from Arnold Harris of the Essex County Intergroup Council regarding statements prepared by the Council and other supporting groups in response to the planned hearings by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) in Newark, May 1955 and September 3-5, 1958. Issues discussed include HUAC procedures, the suspension of Newark teachers (1955), loyalty oaths, etc. The local AJC is a member organization of the Council, but its national and local officers are hesitant about signing on to any statement that doesn't make explicit its opposition to Communism; they are clearly suspicious of some Newark left-wing and labor groups that are attempting to organize anti-HUAC protests.
"Civil Liberties -- Loyalty Oaths and Questionnaires, Newark, NJ," contains a draft of an AJC statement protesting against the Newark City Council's resolution mandating a loyalty oath for city employees and teachers (1955)
"Civil Rights," includes a report to the local chapter from attorney John H. Kaufman, 60 Park Place, who chairs the local chapter's Civil Rights Committee and serves on the national Civil Rights Committee of the AJC (1958); and a letter from Rabbi Ely Pilchik about a planned public meeting at his synagogue, B'nai Jeshurun (1954)
"Civil Rights - Discrimination Classified Advertising," includes a report with quotations od many examples of discriminatory advertising (Christian-only, white-only, etc.) in Newark (1952) and a report of a meeting between AJC members and Richard Scudder, publisher of the Newark Evening News, re: discriminatory ads in the paper (1954)
There are also several files on discrimination in education, including fraternities and medical schools (1953-1959).
"Fair Employment Practices Week - Newark" (1936-1954)
"Civil Rights, Discrimination, Police Brutality, Newark, NJ," includes several clippings from the Newark Evening News on an incident involving alleged police brutality against young Puerto Rican men in Newark (Sep 8-17, 1955), noting the involvement of the "newly formed" Puerto Rican Civil Rights Committee. Some clippings are about similar allegations presented to David M. Litwin, chairman of the Newark Civil Rights Commission (1951-1952).
Box #2: "Community Relations, Intergroup and Race Relations (Negro-Jewish Relations)," includes a detailed report on black attitudes toward Jews in Newark, sent by Sydney Kellner to Lucy Dawidowicz, who is doing a study on black-Jewish relations for the AJC national office (Jun 9 1958); Kellner's report summarizes the opinions of James Pawley, director of the Urban League of Essex County.
"Desegregation in Newark Schools" (1961), includes a lengthy report by Sydney Kellner on problems of the Newark school system and the ongoing complaints of the local NAACP about discrimination, school districting, etc. Stanley Winters is Chairman of the Newark NAACP Education Committee. There is also correspondence regarding meetings with others to discuss the allegations.
"Human Rights, Freedom Campaign" (1954), includes material on a campaign whereby 14 Newark organizations wrote statements reaffirming their faith in the American heritage of freedom. The campaign was initiated by members of the Newark Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. It started with a joint declaration called "A Reaffirmation of Faith," issued on July 4, 1954. Among the signers of this statement were: Charles R. Ehrhardt, President of the Newark Church Fellowship; Mayor Leo P. Carlin; Henry Austin, Newark Ethical Society; Samuel Cooper, American Jewish Congress; Philip C. Camurro, Vice-President of the Newark Teachers Union; Theodore Pettigrew, President Newark Chapter, NAACP; Sylvia Josephson, President of the Newark Chapter, American Association for the United Nations; Sydney Kellner of the AJC; Morris Fuchs, American Federation of Labor - Essex Trades Council; Mrs. Arthur Bernstein, Newark League of Women Voters, etc. Individual organizations' statements were published in the Newark Evening News starting July 6, 1954.
"Human Rights, United Nations, AAUN High School Contest" (1957-1959). The NJ AAUN provided study materials for its annual statewide contest, which had both exam and essay components. In 1958 three of the four Honorable Mention winners were Newark residents: Karl H. Huber, Mary Ann Iannuzzi, and Gail Malmgreen.
Box #3: "Politics, Elections, N.J. Conservative Party," includes an election card with a list of 1957 Essex County NJCP candidates, notes, clippings, and an unsigned, detailed report by someone who attended a meeting sponsored by "Americans against Communism" at Sokol Hall, 38 Morris Ave., Newark (Jun 21, 1956), with verbatim quotations of extreme and eccentric right-wing, anti-black, and anti-Jewish remarks by various speakers.
"Women in AJC," includes a list of 95 women members of the Essex County AJC. No addresses are given, but many are from Newark. (1956)
"Youth, Juvenile Delinquency," includes a clipping on the Newark Citizens Committee to Combat Juvenile Delinquency, headed by Judge Joseph H. Lerner, and its pilot program in the Central Ward (1953-1954). Also present is material on other initiatives of the City Council and various local organizations; clippings on overcrowded conditions in schools and trouble at housing projects; and a report on an open forum meeting of the "Citizens Advisory Committee on Tension Control," sponsored by the Mayor's Commission on Group Relations, at the Newark Board of Education (May 27, 1953). The report summarizes the remarks of many speakers and citizens, concerned about "gang wars and racial tension in Newark" and the need for more trained professionals to cope with it.
FormatTextual materials
SubjectsAfrican-American History / Civil Rights; Education; Jewish-American History; Politics and Government
Time Period20th Century
LanguageEnglish
Access policyOpen for research
Finding AidYes