Subject: Religious institutions

Billhead for work performed for Mikvah Israel Congregation in Philadelphia. The billhead, dated October 25, 1876, details work related to fixing a gas fixture. The billhead features a vignette, indicating it is number 10 of a set of 12. The work was performed by W.H. Wood.

Bookplate reading "KAAL KADOSH BETH SHALOME...THIS BOOK MUST NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF; THE SYNAGOGUE." Undated bookplate from Beth Shalome Synagogue.

Bookplate of the Library of the Hebrew Literature Society. Founded in 1885; located at 310 1/2 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Undated; text in Yiddish and English.

This 24-page pamphlet contains the charter and by-laws of Congregation Mikveh Israel (also known as Kaal Kadosh), a prominent Jewish congregation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Published in 1824 by John Bioron, it represents the first edition of the congregation's official charter and bylaws. This document offers insights into the organizational structure, governance, and regulations of the congregation in its early years.

This 21-page book contains the constitution and by-laws of Congregation Sha'are Tefilah ("The Gates of Prayer") in New York City, adopted in 1847 (5608). The book was printed by J. M. Jackson in New York and is bound in contemporary wrappers. According to Singerman's bibliography, only one other copy of this book is known to exist.

This 14-page pamphlet contains the constitution and by-laws of the Society for the Visitation of the Sick and Mutual Assistance, the first Jewish mutual aid society in Philadelphia. Established in 1814, this 1824 edition represents the earliest recorded constitution and by-laws of this important organization. The pamphlet is primarily in English, with a title page printed in Hebrew. It provides insights into the structure, governance, and activities of this pioneering Jewish charitable institution in early 19th-century Philadelphia.

This eight-page pamphlet, printed by Daniel Neall in Philadelphia, presents the constitution of Congregation Mikveh Israel as reported on June 29, 1823. It is a rare document, with only three other known copies according to Singerman #0380. The pamphlet details the organizational structure, rules, and regulations of this historic Philadelphia congregation, one of the oldest in the United States.

Silk ribbon commemorating the Young Men's Hebrew Association of Syracuse, New York. The ribbon is fringed at the top and bottom and shows signs of a straight pin having been used to attach it. Likely from the Association's founding around 1900.

Ornate deed for a seat at Congregation B'nai Israel, located at 521-527 Lombard Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The deed, dated circa 1910, features an engraved depiction of the temple building. The document is in English and Hebrew.

Draft deed of agreement between Congregation B'nai Jeshurun and Congregation Sha'ari Tephila, New York, New York, concerning the sale of a portion of their cemetery near Cypress Hills for $3000. The agreement stipulates that the sale be conducted according to the laws of Beth Olom Cemetery as of March 12, 1856. The document is dated May 20, 1856.

Draft agreement between Congregation B'nai Jeshurun and Congregation Sha'ari Tephila in New York, New York, concerning the sale of a portion of their cemetery near Cypress Hills for $3000. The agreement, dated April 1, 1856, stipulates that the sale is to be conducted according to the laws of Beth Olom Cemetery as of March 12, 1856.

An invitation to an event at Temple Israel in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, dated January 1, 1930. The invitation is printed on cloth.

Printed invitation to the annual meeting of the Hebrew Ladies' Sewing Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The invitation, measuring 4 x 6 1/2 inches, requests attendance at the meeting on Sunday, October 26, 1862, at the Portuguese Synagogue on Seventh Street. It bears the printed signature of Leah Lobo, President. This item was found with the papers of Isaac Leeser.

Invitation to the First Conference of the Jewish Ministers' Association, held at the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA), 110 West 42nd Street, New York, New York, on January 14, 1885. The invitation is a printed broadside.

Six-page manuscript trial balance for the year ending December 31, 1861, detailing the financial records of Samuel A. Harrison, a doctor and gentleman farmer from Talbot County, Maryland. The ledger includes entries related to property holdings in St. Michaels, Maryland, and financial transactions with the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and the Union Presbyterian Church.

Letter from District Grand Lodge No. 7 of the B'nai B'rith to its members, dated May 27, 1889, in Memphis, Tennessee. The letter includes minutes from a convention held in New Orleans and notification of a move of the headquarters. It lists approximately 40 officers' names, primarily from Southern states.

A one-page letter dated December 6, 1848, from J. Myer in Montgomery, Alabama, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter discusses the election of officers and the rental of a synagogue in Montgomery. Signatories include P. Krans (VP), Emanuel Lehman (Secretary), Henry Weil (Treasurer), M. Englander (Trustee), and Charles Levy (Trustee). This letter pertains to the establishment of the first synagogue in Montgomery, Alabama, initially organized as the Orthodox Congregation Kahl Montgomery.

Two-page letter dated April 1, 1878, from Jacob Ezekiel, Secretary of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Rabbi Sabato Morais of Mikveh Israel Congregation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter discusses plans for a preparatory school for the Hebrew Union College in Philadelphia and the effort to establish a National Union of Congregations. The letter is written on Ezekiel & Co. stationery.

A letter written by M. S. Isaacs to Mayer Sulzberger on August 7, 1884, concerning a meeting of the Executive Board of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. The letter was sent to Sulzberger at 115 Broadway, New York, NY.

Two-page letter from M. W. (Morris) Strouse, Corresponding Secretary of the newly formed Congregation B'nei B'rith in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Isaac Leeser. Dated August 14, 1849, the letter outlines the resolutions of the congregation, announces its consecration on August 31, 1849, with Reverend S. M. Isaacs delivering the sermon, and requests the sale of prayer books on commission.

Letter written by Myer S. Isaacs to Isaac Leeser on July 21, 1863, on the letterhead of "The Jewish Messenger." The letter acknowledges Leeser's request to convene a meeting of the "Board of Delegates." Isaacs, a prominent New York attorney and judge, discusses the request.

A one-page letter from N. Van Bell to Isaac Leeser, dated March 12, 1860, informing him of the election of James Newhouse and the writer as delegates to represent their congregation on the Board of American Israelites. The letter was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Letter written by S. Solis Cohen to the Young Men's Hebrew Association in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 24, 1880. Cohen informs the Association that he has sent them a copy of the minutes from the convention of the Young Men's Hebrew Association and kindred societies.

Letter written by Dr. S. Solis-Cohen on his business letterhead to Elina, concerning materials for a circular and member invitations for an unnamed religious organization. Dated to the mid-1890s and sent from 219 South Seventeenth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Letter written by Dr. S. Solis-Cohen on his business letterhead to Elina, concerning materials for a circular and member invitations for an unnamed religious organization. The letter is dated sometime in the mid-1890s and was sent from his office at 219 South Seventeenth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

One-page letter from Z. A. Davis to Isaac Leeser, dated October 11, 1850, informing Leeser of his election as an honorary member of the Hebrew Beneficent Society in Philadelphia. Leeser had recently resigned from the board. The Hebrew Beneficent Society was established in 1822 by members of Congregation Rodeph Shalom.

Booklet outlining the modified regulatory provisions for the Gemiloeth Chasadim organization in Paramaribo, Suriname, 1904. The regulations pertain to Jewish funeral practices, including ritual washing and burial. Published in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Newspaper clipping from the New Haven Daily Palladium, April 25, 1881, featuring an article on the dedication of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. The article appears on the front page.

Newspaper clipping from the *New York Herald*, February 22, 1860, featuring a significant editorial by Rabbi David Einhorn titled "Trouble Among the Hebrews." The editorial is a protest against the establishment of the Board of Delegates of American Israelites, referencing its first meeting in late November 1859. The article is noted for its unusual length and significance as the first major attempt at forming such a board, eventually encompassing one-third of the congregations in the USA. The Board of Delegates of American Israelites (BDAI) was later succeeded by the Union of American Congregations. The clipping is from Volume D, Page 19 of the archive.

Book containing the proceedings of the fifth annual session of the Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, held July 9-11, 1878. Includes "Propositions [regarding the Hebrew Union College] ... : submitted [by I.M. Wise] to the gentlemen of the commission appointed by the Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations at Milwaukee, July 11, 1878". Published in 1878.

This 111-page book (8.5" x 6") contains the proceedings of the first annual session of the Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, held in Cleveland, Ohio, from July 14th to 16th, 1874. It includes an address in German by Dr. Jacob Mayer. A preceding pamphlet, "Proceedings of the First General Convention of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations" (Cincinnati, OH: Bloch & Co., [1873]), is referenced but not included in this collection. The Union of American Hebrew Congregations, later renamed the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), was founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise in Cincinnati, Ohio, initially comprised of 34 congregations. In 1950, the UAHC relocated its headquarters to New York City. In 2003 it officially changed its name to the Union for Reform Judaism.

This book contains the proceedings from the fourth annual session of the Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from July 10-12, 1877 (5637). The proceedings list 89 congregations and an estimated 190,000 active Jews in the United States. This publication offers a valuable snapshot of the state of American Jewish life and organization in the late 19th century.

Two-page receipt signed by Aaron Lopez and Zachariah Polock for the payment of three months of a Congregational Subscription. This receipt completes the payment of £25 for the entire year. Newport, Rhode Island, August 24, 1757.

Printed and handwritten receipt from Congregation Shearith Israel in New York, New York, to Charles Tobias for donations received during the first and second quarters of 1841. The receipt is signed by D. Phillips Cohn. Measures 7.75" x 3.25".

Printed and handwritten receipt issued by Congregation Shearith Israel in New York, New York to Henry Tobias for donations received during the first two quarters of 1841. The receipt is signed by D. Phillips Cohn. Measures 7.75" x 3.25".

Collection of over 50 documents from Ahaveth Sholem Lodge No. 160, Independent Order B'nai Brith (I.O.B.B.), Corry, Pennsylvania. The documents date from the late 1890s to the 1920s. Corry, Pennsylvania is located northeast of Erie, Pennsylvania, approximately 10 miles from the New York state border.

Silver-plated medallion commemorating the Ninth Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), held in July 1885. Side one features the Ten Commandments on a tablet. Side two displays a wreath and the inscription "Union of American Hebrew Congregations." Attributed to John J. Linck, engraver and die sinker. The medallion is holed, suggesting it may have been intended for suspension.

Booklet containing the statutes and bylaws of the Surinamese Zionist Federation, established in Paramaribo, Suriname. Published in 1941. This item is part of the Willy Lindwer Suriname Collection.

Stereoscopic photograph of the Sinai Congregation located at 21st and Indiana Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Part of the 'American Scenery Views of Chicago & Vicinity' series. Circa 1880.