American Jewish Congress, Chicago Division records
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- American Jewish Congress, Chicago Division records
- Identifier
- BMRC.SPERTUS.JEWISH_CONGRESS
- Repository
- Spertus Institute, Library & Collections
- Language
- English
- Size
- 20.0 Linear feet
- Dates
- 1930-1986
- Creator
- American Jewish Congress
Acknowledgements and Access
This collection was part of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's Survey Initiative, 2009-2011. For current information about the collection and its status, please contact the Spertus Institute Library.
Historical note
The national AJC was founded in 1918 in Philadelphia, a response to the worsening conditions of European Jews in the years before World War I. Its goals were to establish unity within the Jewish community and represent all groups of Jews in a democratic forum, and defend the rights of Jews abroad. The advent of World War II proved the organization ineffective in preventing persecution of Jews abroad, and as the organization evolved, its focus shifted to the elimination of discrimination for all Americans. The Chicago Division was officially established June 25, 1934, although it had been active informlly before this. Stephen Wise had been instrumental in getting this chapter founded, and his relatives, Milton and Rosemary Krensky, were among the early leaders. Sigmund W. David, Jennie F. Purvin, Samuel M. Blumenfield, Leo H. Lowitz, Nathan Raymer and James J. Glassner served on the first board. Its first actions were to organize meetings for German refugees to aid in adjustment.
Processing Information note
This collection was surveyed as part of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's Survey Initiative on 2010 February 15 by Bergis Jules and Andrew Steadham.
Conditions Governing Access note
Access to this collection is restricted; please contact the holding institution for details.