Guide to the Joseph Levoff Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Joseph Levoff Collection
Creator:
Levoff, Joseph, 1930-
Identifier/Call Number: OCH.JLC
Extent:
3.17 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1934-2013
Abstract: Joseph Levoff was born on July 7, 1930
in Shanghai, China. His father was born in Manchuria while his mother came from Siberia in
Russia. Levoff grew up in Shanghai's French Concession and went to the Shanghai Jewish
School. In 1949, Levoff and his family left Shanghai for Israel. In Israel, Levoff served in
the air force for three years before being honorably discharged. After leaving Israel in
1964, he moved to Los Angeles, and became involved with the restaurant business. Levoff was
a member of the American Far Eastern Society, which consisted of former residents of China,
like himself. He was president of this group for nearly ten years until he moved back to
Israel. The collection contains a number of photographs and photographs albums documenting
his family's experiences in Shanghai and Israel, as well as some print materials related to
Levoff's life in Shanghai.
Language of Material: English
Biographical Information:
Joseph Levoff was born on July 7, 1930 in Shanghai, China. His father was born in
Manchuria, and his mother came from Siberia, Russia. Levoff grew up in Shanghai's French
Concession, and went to the Shanghai Jewish School. He was also part of the Jewish Club and
the Foreign YMCA. The latter was where he spent most of his recreactional time socializing
and participating in numerous sporting events.
In 1949, Levoff and his family left Shanghai for Israel. In Israel, Levoff served in the
air force for three years before being honorably discharged. He worked for a company called
Mittwoch & Sons, who were agents for the National Cash Register Co. After leaving Israel
in 1964, he moved to Los Angeles, California and became involved with the restaurant
business. Levoff also became involved with the American Far Eastern Society, which consisted
of former residents of China, like himself. He was president of this group for nearly ten
years until he decided to move back to Israel. Levoff currently resides in Los Angeles.
Scope and Contents
The
Joseph Levoff Collection consists mostly of photograph
albums documenting Levoff and his family's experiences in Shanghai, Israel and abroad from
the 1930s to the 1960s. Photographs relate to his social life, family, and military
experience. In addition to photographs, the collection includes numerous newspaper clippings
documenting Levoff's participation in Foreign YMCA sporting activities, a radiogram sent to
the Levoff's aboard the SS
General Gordon, an essay written by
Levoff describing his life in Shanghai, and a map of Old Shanghai.
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) 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 owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual,
or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
Tim Kaufler, 2012
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Photographs
Box 1, Item 1
Photograph Album - Shanghai and United States,
1936-1948
Box 2, Item 1
Photograph Album - Leaving Shanghai; Traveling to Haifa, Israel; Shanghai
Classmates' Pictures,
1948-1949
Box 3, Item 1
Photograph Album - Family and Military Photos,
ca. 1940-ca. 1969
Box 4, Folder 1
Loose Photographs,
ca. 1930-ca. 1959
Box 4, Folder 2
Loose Photographs,
ca. 1990-ca. 1999
Box 4, Folder 3
Photograph: Founding Committee of the First Jewish Club in
Shanghai,
ca. 1934
Box 4, Folder 4
Photograph: Shanghai Jewish School - Form IV,
October 1944
Box 4, Folder 5
Girls' Name Card from Jean Holo House, Shanghai
Box 4, Folder 6
Newspaper Clippings on Sporting Events in Shanghai,
1947-1948
Box 4, Folder 7
Shore to Ship Radiogram Sent to Levoffs,
1949
Folder 1
Map of Old Shanghai - by Albert Jouravel, revised by Joe Cohen,
1992
Digital Folder
Essay Written by Joseph Levoff Describing His Life Story in
Shanghai,
December 2013
