Temple Israel Collection (MC 305)

Organizational / Historical Note

The Temple Israel congregation has a long and interesting history in Columbus, Georgia dating back to 1854, when twenty Jewish families came together to form Temple B'nai Israel. They had been meeting in private homes when the group established a sanctuary and school in a building at the northeast corner of 10th Street and 5th Avenue. In October of 1859, the congregation bought a house on the corner of 10th Street and 4th Avenue, which it furnished as a synagogue accommodating 100 people. For almost a century it occupied the same site in downtown Columbus.

A parcel of land given to the congregation by the city for the construction of a Temple on Chapel Street was never used. In June of 1866 it was decided to build a new Temple at the 10th Street-4th Avenue site. The house being used was then moved to a new site. The new Temple, begun in October 1886, was dedicated September 2, 1887. A banquet and dance to celebrate was held at the Rankin Hotel with several hundred guests attending.

In 1907, fire destroyed the interior of the Temple, along with historical records. The Temple was rebuilt and remodeled, including moving the choir loft and organ.

On January 28, 1955, Temple Israel celebrated a double "Simcha"; its 100th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the ordination of its Rabbi, with many honored guests attending. In March of 1956, under the leadership of President Albert M. Wise, the membership approved purchase of the Wildwood Avenue site and the sale of the downtown building. Ground was broken for the new Sanctuary in March 1957 and dedicated in March 1958. The stately old building downtown was sold and demolished in 1958 when the congregation moved into the new Temple on Wildwood Avenue.

The Jewish Ladies Aid Society in Columbus was founded on July 5, 1874, by the Ladies Purim Association. These women decided to broaden their societies' focus to include charity and benevolence within the Jewish community and throughout the city of Columbus. Originally named the "Daughters of Israel", the name has changed over the years, becoming the Hebrew Benevolent Society before finally becoming the Jewish Ladies Aid Society. The Columbus Society orchestrated the establishment of the Milk Fund in 1924, donating milk to needy children. The Jewish Ladies Aid celebrated 100 years of service in 1974. Rabbi Goodman called them "an arm of the Temple". Among other projects they have been involved with are the Blind Fund and the Educational Fund. Their works have known neither race, creed, nor color.

The Columbus chapter of Hadassah had been organized twice in the 1930's but was dissolved both times. In the fall of 1944 two young women, newcomers to the community, began discussing the possibility of organizing Hadassah, which was involved in the plight of European Jews . A chapter was formed in 1945 with 40 women signing up. Hadassah sold more war bonds than any other organization in the community. By the 1960's, particularly after the 1967 war, Hadassah leadership was held by young women who brought new ideas and fresh enthusiasm and increased the membership. This brought in many women of the reform congregation who had not been willing to join in previous years. Columbus Jewry became more united in spirit and fellowship.

Scope and Content

The Temple Israel Collection consists of 8 boxes of archival material from the Archives of Temple Israel, Columbus, Georgia. This collection encompasses the history of the Temple in Columbus, its anniversaries, family histories, the women's organizations of Hadassah and the Jewish Ladies Aid Society and the founding and history of the Harmony Club. There are 3 boxes of scrapbooks included in this collection, including those from Temple Israel, Hadassah, the Jewish Ladies Aid Society and the Century Club. The collection is divided by subject area. The folders within each subject are arranged alphabetically by content.

1874-2003 8 boxes (8 l.f.)

Provenance

The Temple Israel Collection was donated to the Columbus State University Archives by the Board of Trustees of Temple Israel in October 2013. Rabbi Beth Schwartz, Jean Kiralfy Kent, Regina Satlof Block, and Gary Stern arranged the transfer.

Permission to Publish

Permission to publish material from the Temple Israel Collection must be obtained from the Columbus State University Archives. Use of the following credit line for publication or exhibit is required:

Temple Israel Collection, MC 305Columbus State University ArchivesColumbus State UniversityColumbus, Georgia

Box and Folder List

Box 1: Temple Israel

Folder 1: Articles and clippings
Folder 2: Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes, 1986-1990
Folder 3: Budget, 1979
Folder 4: Bulletins of Temple Israel
Folder 5: Centennial Anniversary Sabbath Service, 1974
Folder 6: Charter Applications, 1878, 1889, 1922 Reviver, 1948 Reviver
Folder 7: Columbus Concordia, Record of Proceedings (photocopy), organized April 12, 1870
Folder 8: Confirmation programs, 1897
Folder 9: Congress Weekly: A Review of Jewish Interests, v. 22, #7, Feb. 14, 1955
Folder 10: Constitution and By-Laws, Congregation B'nai Israel, 1908
Folder 11: Constitution, 1949
Folder 12: Correspondence, 1918, 1965, 1993-1994
Folder 13: Documents, financial, 1887, 1889, 1891, 1894, 1909
Folder 14: "Early History of Jewish Settlers in Columbus, Georgia" by Jean Kent (See also folder 17), 1998
Folder 15: Evaluation of Board Members Workshop
Folder 16: Golden Book of Life, Congregation B'Nai Israel, 1896-1938
Folder 17: "History of Early Jewish Settlers in Columbus, Georgia" by Jean Kent (See also folder 14), 1991
Folder 18: History of Temple Israel
Folder 19: Inventory of Graves in the West Section of Linwood Cemetery known as the Jewish Section
Folder 20: Jewish Welfare Board, Army and Navy Committee news release, January 21, 1944
Folder 21: Jewish Welfare Federation of Columbus, Georgia-Incorporation Proceedings, 1944
Folder 22: Jewish Youth Rally, 1953
Folder 23: Like Mama Used to Make; Jewish dishes and recipes
Folder 24: Linwood Cemetery lists (2); 1943-1946, 1950-1959
Folder 25: National Council of Jewish Women, Columbus section - Membership
Folder 26: National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods
Folder 27: Notes-handwritten
Folder 28: 125th Anniversary of Temple Israel
Folder 29: 150th anniversary celebration, 2004
Folder 30: Parliamentary procedures, 1960
Folder 31: Photographs
Folder 32: Proceedings of Executive committee Congregation B'nai Israel (photocopies), 1880-1908
Folder 33: Rabbi Alfred L. Goodman
Folder 34: Rabbis
Folder 35: Religious School Handbooks, 1984-1987
Folder 36: Remembrance card for Mrs. Mina Hirschberg, May 8, 1890
Folder 37: Riverdale Cemetery Burials
Folder 38: Schindler's List viewing by area high school students; sponsored by Jewish Federation of Columbus
Folder 39: Shearith Israel Synagogue Dedication Ceremony, 2550 Wynnton Rd., February 1951
Folder 40: Temple Beth- El, West Point, Georgia
Folder 41: Temple B'nai Israel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Folder 42: "Temple Israel of Columbus, Georgia, 1854-1999" by Jean Kiralfy Kent
Folder 43: Timeline and history
Folder 44: "To Do the Manufacturing for the South: Private Industry in Confederate Columbus"; Georgia Historical Quarterly, 2001
Folder 45: Wall of Tolerance honoring Harry Kruger, 2003

Box 2: Families of Temple Israel

Folder 1: Angel Family history-Jeanne Angel Weil, Celie Helman, Elinor Angel Rosenberg
Folder 2: Broda, Inez Rothschild and Daniel
Folder 3: Browne, Edward B.M." Alphabet" Dr. and wife Sophie Wells Browne (See also Goldberg/Gerson)
Folder 4: Cemetery-Historic Jewish of Eufaula, Alabama
Folder 5: Congregation Mickve Israel, Savannah
Folder 6: Esquiline, home of Raphael J. Moses (See also Moses, Raphael J and family folder)
Folder 7: Friedlander, Reb, and Miral
Folder 8: Golden, Lillian
Folder 9: Goldberg/Gerson
Folder 10: Haiman, Lewis and Elijah
Folder 11: Hecht Family
Folder 12: Julius, M
Folder 13: Kent, Gerry and Jean Kiralfy
Folder 14: Kiralfy, Victor and Raye
Folder 15: Lilienthal, Leslie and Ruth Gump
Folder 16: Loeb Family
Folder 17: Loeb, Sol Family
Folder 18: Moses, Raphael J. and family
Folder 19: Picard/Sternberg wedding photo 1909 (Includes a folded flag believed to have belonged to M. Sternberg)
Folder 20: Rothschild, Benno and Babette
Folder 21: Rothschild, David II and Barbara
Folder 22: Rothschild, Frank and Simon
Folder 23: Rothschild, Jac and Dora
Folder 24: Rothschild family portraits
Folder 25: Schiffman, Jack
Folder 26: Schwob, Simon and Ruth
Folder 27: Sol Loeb Company, Kern & Loeb charter 1899, Loeb Estate, Loeb Realty Company and family
Folder 28: Schwarz, Isaac: first Rabbi of Columbus in 1852
Folder 29: Sternberg & Loewenherz-advertisement. 1887
Folder 30: Strauss Family; see also Strauss, Isador and Ida
Folder 31: Strauss, Isador and Ida
Folder 32: Weil, Sam and Jeanne

Box 3: Hadassah

Folder 1: Century Club photo- member
Folder 2: Century Club programs (photocopies), 1908,1912-1915,1924, 1950-1972
Folder 3: Columbus Hadassah Report, 1960-1962
Folder 4: Conferences-Southern Regional of Hadassah
Folder 5: Hadassah Book of Life, 1945-1950
Folder 6: Hadassah Conferences, 1962-1984
Folder 7: Hadassah: Hands of Healing Award: John B. Amos, 1989
Folder 8: Hadassah Headlines
Folder 9: Hadassah - History of Chapter
Folder 10: Hadassah-Israel
Folder 11: Hadassah Minutes, 1977-1989
Folder 12: Hadassah Minutes book, 1954-1945
Folder 13: Hadassah Minutes book 1955-1958
Folder 14: Hadassah Minutes book Sept 1958-Oct 1963
Folder 15: Hadassah Minutes of board Meetings, 1990-2007
Folder 16: Hadassah Newsletter/Bulletin
Folder 17: Hadassah-newspaper clippings
Folder 18: Hadassah photos
Folder 19: Hadassah presents News-O-Rama , 1960-1961
Folder 20: Hadassah programs
Folder 21: Hadassah ribbons and awards
Folder 22: Hadassah-Siegal affair
Folder 23: Hadassah -speech, handwritten, undated
Folder 24: Hadassah Yearbooks, 1962-1965
Folder 25: Hedda Hadassah Newsletter, 1961-1962
Video tapes (2)
Hadassah Honors Cele Levy Funk, November 14, 1992

Box 4: Harmony Club

Folder 1: Annual report, Sept 1987
Folder 2: Bar plan proposals and costs
Folder 3: Board meetings, 1988-1990
Folder 4: Board meetings 1991
Folder 5: Board minutes 1992
Folder 6: Board of Directors meeting, Nov. 30, 1994
Folder 7: Budget Recap for redecorating to September 27, 1992
Folder 8: By-Laws and Special Meeting of Membership, 1994
Folder 9: Carpet samples and floor finishing plan with blueprint
Folder 10: Decorating committee correspondence, 1992
Folder 11: Doors, 1992
Folder 12: Financial; balance sheets and income statements, 1991
Folder 13: Financial statements, years ending Sept 1992 and 1993
Folder 14: History
Folder 15: Marcel Carles, 1993-1994
Folder 16: Members packet, 1992
Folder 17: Membership lists, 1985-1994
Folder 18: Monthly Board Meetings, 1993
Folder 19: Monthly board Meetings, 1994
Folder 20: Nominating Committee, 1992-1994
Folder 21: Outgoing letters, 1993
Folder 22: Paint and wallpaper redecorating plans
Folder 23: Photos
Folder 24: Redecorating committee renovation, 1992
Folder 25: Souvenir edition newspaper, 1936

Box 5: Jewish Ladies Aid Society

Folder 1: Annual reports and budgets, 1932-1965
Folder 2: Bank books (3), 1943-1957
Folder 3: Broadway Theatre League
Folder 4: Certificates
Folder 5: Correspondence
Folder 6: Cradle Roll
Folder 7: DAME, the Yearly Report Magazine, from Vol.1#1 May 4, 1954
Folder 8: Deli Day
Folder 9: Deposit slips-1st National Bank, 1965
Folder 10: Education Fund
Folder 11: Guestbook, 1957
Folder 12: History
Folder 13: Milk Fund, Laura F. Rosenberg
Folder 14: Minute Book, 1874-1890
Folder 15: Minute Book (photocopy), 1874-1902
Folder 16: Minute Book (photocopy), 1875-1927
Folder 17: Minute Book (copy), 1946-Dec 1952
Folder 18: Minute Book (copy), 1952-1958
Folder 19: "My Chair Lady"
Folder 20: Newspaper clippings
Folder 21: President's reports (copy),1932-1935
Folder 22: President's reports (copy), 1936-1988
Folder 23: Programs and photos
Folder 24: Receipt book ,1964-1965
Folder 25: Receipts and invoices
Folder 26: Rothschild fund for the Blind
Folder 27: Sabbath School
Folder 28: Springer Guild Laugh In
Folder 29: Yearbooks

Box 6: Jewish Ladies Aid Society-contents of Broadway File box (small box)

Folder 1: Altar Guild Fund, 1951-1956
Folder 2: Bulletin Committee, 1946-1954
Folder 3: Linwood Cemetery Committee, 1949-1956
Folder 4: Civic Committee, 1942-1961
Folder 5: Constitution and By-Laws, 1947
Folder 6: Corresponding Secretary, 1951-1959
Folder 7: Eva M. Friedlander Educational Fund, 1947-1954
Folder 8: Financial Secretary, 1946-1958
Folder 9: Frank L. Rosenthal Memorial Library Fund, 1941-1950
Folder 10: House Committee, 1949-1954
Folder 11: Armed Services Committee, 1951-1952
Folder 12: Matilda D. Rothschild Fund for the Blind, 1941-1952
Folder 13: Membership Committee, 1943-1954
Folder 14: Milk Fund, 1944-1954
Folder 15: Convention reports from file box
Folder 16: Miscellany ( from file box)

Box 7: Scrapbooks-Hadassah

National Hadassah "MEM" Award, Re-enrollment Achievement (green cover), 1966-1967
Hadassah (blue cover), 1963-1967
Columbus Chapter of Hadassah (brown cover), 1973-1974
Columbus Chapter of Hadassah (dark blue cover), 1982-1987
Hadassah ( brown cover-the Ideal Scrapbook), 1946-1955
Hadassah Life Membership Album (white cover)

Box 8: Scrapbooks

1. Temple Israel One Hundredth Anniversary, 1854-1954 (cream cover)
2. Temple Israel history (green cover)
3. Jewish Ladies Aid Society (green cover)
4. Jewish Ladies Aid Society (brown cover Scrapbook), 1944-1945
4. Broadway file box (empty) that held reports of Jewish Ladies Aid Society ( see contents in box 6)

Oversize Items

Plaque-Resolution for 125th Anniversary of Temple Israel
Century Club Scrapbooks (2)
Framed Engraving of Simon Schwob by Harry S Maskowitz (on display in reading room)