Description
The collection contains minutes and agendas of the Western Jewish History Center's Advisory
Committee; statistical reports, press releases and announcements; photographs, newspaper
clippings, and brochures. Most of this material relates to the Center's various collections,
exhibits, programs, publications, and projects. Also contains photographic slides of
photographs in the Center's collection that were shown on the television program, "What on
Earth are you Doing for Heaven's Sake?," produced by Michael Stempel, and the program's
script; together with maps and photographic materials from the Judah L. Magnes Memorial
Museum's Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks, which
is responsible for maintaining six pioneer Jewish cemeteries in the California Gold Rush
country.
Background
The Western Jewish History Center (WJHC) was a research center based around a library and
large archive and was founded in 1967. It was part of the Judah L. Magnes Museum, located in
Berkeley, California until 2010 when it was donated to the Bancroft Library at the
University of California, Berkeley. Its mission was to collect and preserve materials
documenting the history of the Jewish community in the western United States. To that end,
it collected a large number of organizational records; personal papers and correspondence;
audiotapes; and photographs, graphic art, and motion picture films. It has also sponsored
the creation of oral histories of noteworthy individuals; assisted in the publication of
scholarly material; hosted and participated in educational conferences and symposia; and
created and arranged for the distribution of museum exhibitions based on the WJHC's
collections.
Extent
19.5 linear feet
(14 cartons, 1 box, 1 oversize box)
Restrictions
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17,
U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of
University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and
publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of
the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited
without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with
the user. For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's
permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies
Availability
Collection is open for research.