Ely Aaron papers

Biography/Profile

Born April 29, 1896 in Chicago, Ely Mayer Aaron studied law at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, graduating in 1918. He practiced law in Chicago, most notably as a partner in the firm of Aaron, Aaron, Schimberg, and Hess. In 1928, he married Helen E Strauss, with whom had had two children. His interests in integration and civil rights led him to serve with the Chicago Committee on Human Relations, the Chicago Committee on Human Opportunity, and the American Jewish Committee, amongst other organizations and civic commissions. He died in 1975.

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations formed in 1947 as the successor to the Mayor's Committee on Human Relations to address issues related to racial unrest in the city. The commission consisted of fifteen volunteer civic leaders appointed by the mayor, and Aaron served on the commission from its inception and as then chairman from 1960-1967. During this period he also served on the affiliated Mayor's Committee on New Residents and the Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity.

Aaron directed his volunteer energy towards Jewish issues as well. His involvement with the American Jewish Committee began in 1946 and sustained throughout the rest of his life. Although the national organization dates from 1906, the Chicago chapter began in 1945, with Aaron involved early on. He served as Chairman of the Chicago chapter from 1946-1952, later moving into leadership roles within the national organization. With his work for the AJC, he combined his interests in domestic civil rights issues with international Jewish concerns including matters pertaining to Israeli settlement and statehood.