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Finding aid to the Jesse Jacobs papers, 1942-1998
Coll2012.136
Coll2012.136
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Table of contents
Title: Jesse Jacobs papers
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012.136
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 linear feet.
1 archives box
Date (inclusive): 1942-1998
Abstract: The collection consists of personal papers and correspondence; organizational records from the League of Voters for Equal
Rights (LOVER), ONE Institute, and the Institute for the Study of Human Resources (ISHR); and acting-related materials created
and/or collected by Jesse Jacobs, 1942-1998. Jacobs was a longtime character actor in theater and television, influential
early member of Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC), a president of LOVER and ONE Incorporated, and a board member for ONE Institute
and ISHR.
creator:
Jacobs, Jesse, 1922-1998
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
The collection consists of personal papers and correspondence; organizational records; theater scripts, programs, and playbills;
clippings; school records; photographs; and World War II materials created and/or collected by Jesse Jacobs, 1942-1998. The
organizational records document Jacobs' involvement with the League of Voters for Equal Rights (LOVER), ONE Institute, and
the Institute for the Study of Human Resources.
Formerly housed in boxes 103-151 and 103-231. Collection processed by Kyle Morgan, 2012.
Guides:
Chicago's Gay Directory 1973. The Advocates of Gay Action Publishing Co-op.
Pocket Legal Guide for Gay People. Gay People's Legal Committee.
Periodicals:
Dignity, v.4, no.4-6, June-August 1973.
Prime Timers (Los Angeles), October/December 1997.
Theater Arts, October 1946 - February 1947.
Playbills:
The Royal Ballet from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, c. 1957.
Captain Brassbound's Conversion. Center Theater Group, Ahmanson Theater, 1968-1969.
Programs and catalogs:
Dignity First National Convention, 1973.
Wintersun Ah Men catalog.
Coll2012-133, Beth Chayim Chadashim Records, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.
Date of acquisition unknown.
Jesse Jacobs was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1922 and grew up in Brooklyn. He studied speech therapy at Brooklyn College,
when during his senior year in 1943, he was drafted in the army. After the war's end, Jacobs pursued an acting career, working
as Oscar Brand's assistant, teaching drama at the New Jersey College for Women, and joining the Men's Acting Company at Vassar.
In 1952 with funding from the GI Bill, Jacobs earned a master's degree in drama at Columbia University. Across the 1950s Jacobs
had minor roles in numerous New York theater productions, before moving to California in 1960 where he worked as a character
actor in television.
In July 1972, Jacobs joined the recently formed Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC), the world’s first synagogue for gay and lesbian
Jews. Jacobs helped write some the congregation's first services and served for several years as the ritual chair, leading
the majority of the services. In the late 1970s at a time when most temples still used male language for God, Jacobs helped
created the first prayer book with gender-neutral language.
In 1975 Jacobs took his first job as a bookkeeper, an occupation that would become his primary profession for the next 20
plus years. In 1978 he became president of the League of Voters for Equal Rights (LOVER), a group dedicated to registering
LGBT people to combat Proposition 6, also known as the Brigg's Initiative. Jacobs joined the board of directors at ONE Incorporated
in 1981 where he served as president for six of the next fourteen years. When ONE joined with the International Gay & Lesbian
Archives in 1994, Jacobs remained on the board and also became treasurer at the affiliated organization, the Institute for
the Study of Human Resources (ISHR). Jacobs remained active in both organizations until his death in 1998.
Edited from Tracy Moore's article "Jesse Jacobs: An Original BCC Member."
G''vanim, v.45, no.5 (January 1997).
[Box/folder #, or item name] Jesse Jacobs Papers, Coll2012-136, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gay activists--California--Los Angeles
Gay men
Theater