Louis and Emma Blumenthal Papers

The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
2121 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 549-6950
Email: magnesresearch@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://www.magnes.org/
© 2011


Descriptive Summary

Title: Louis and Emma Blumenthal papers
Dates: 1911-1959
Collection number: BANC MSS 2010/689 (oversize folder 1; carton 1, box 1)
Creator: Blumenthal, Louis H
Creator: Blumenthal, Emma (Loewy)
Collection Size: 1 carton, 1 box, and 1 oversize folder
Repository: Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94704
Abstract: The collection consists of Louis Blumenthal's diaries from 1911 through 1922 and from 1944; documents (including some correspondence) relating to the founding and early years of the San Francisco Jewish Community Center; files on some of Louis Blumenthal's publications; manuscript drafts of books; materials relating to Camp Tiyatah, including a camp manual from 1959 and minutes from camp staff meetings in 1962 (both of which are particularly interesting for their daily log of camp activities, observers' notes, and reflections on the camp experience); Louis Blumenthal's speeches and articles on social work, group work, and camping; a file of Emma Blumenthal's correspondence; and photographs of the Blumenthals at home and at work (including at camp).
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

UNARRANGED COLLECTION. UNAVAILABLE FOR USE. Inquiries regarding these materials should be directed, in writing, to the Curator of Collections, The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, The Bancroft Library, using the Online Research Request form.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.

Preferred Citation

Louis and Emma Blumenthal papers. BANC MSS 2010/689. Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, The Bancroft Library, Berkeley, CA 94704.

Acquisition Information

Transfer; Judah L. Magnes Museum; 2010. 4 16mm film reels and 4 reel-to-reel audiotapes transferred to the museum holdings of The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life for separate handling and cataloging. Formerly: Judah L. Magnes Museum Collection Number 2009.27 AR1.

Biography

Louis H. and Emma (nee Loewy) Blumenthal played central roles in Jewish communal life in San Francisco during the middle of the twentieth century. Louis Blumenthal (1893-1959) served as executive director of the YMHA from 1924 until 1933 and then as co-founder (with Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel) and executive director of San Francisco's Jewish Community Center from 1933 until his death in 1959. Emma (Loewy) Blumenthal spent 39 years as associate director of the JCC. Before coming to San Francisco in 1924, Louis was executive director of the Portland, Oregon Jewish Center. Louis Blumenthal was also active in the national Jewish Community Center movement and a nationally recognized expert on the administration of community centers. He was the author of many articles and books relating to center work, including Group Work in Camping (1937), Administration of Group Work (1948), and How to Work with Your Board and Committees (1954). Louis also served as an instructor in Group Work at the University of California, Berkeley and on many state and national committees dealing with issues relating to youth, camping, child health, and social work.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection consists of Louis Blumenthal's diaries from 1911 through 1922 and from 1944; documents (including some correspondence) relating to the founding and early years of the San Francisco Jewish Community Center; files on some of Louis Blumenthal's publications; manuscript drafts of books; materials relating to Camp Tiyatah, including a camp manual from 1959 and minutes from camp staff meetings in 1962 (both of which are particularly interesting for their daily log of camp activities, observers' notes, and reflections on the camp experience); Louis Blumenthal's speeches and articles on social work, group work, and camping; a file of Emma Blumenthal's correspondence; and photographs of the Blumenthals at home and at work (including at camp).

Organization

Carton 1: Biographical materials, Louis Blumenthal's diaries, correspondence, Jewish Community Center materials, speeches and articles, files on Louis Blumenthal's books, camp binders. Box 1: Reports, Emma Blumenthal's correspondence, photographs. Oversize folder 1: Certificates and diplomas.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection.

Names and Places

Blumenthal, Louis H.--Archives
San Francisco Jewish Community Center
Young Men's Hebrew Association (San Francisco, Calif.)

Topics

Jews--California--San Francisco
Jewish community centers--California--San Francisco Bay Area
Jews--California--Social life and customs--20th century

Genres and Forms of Materials

Photographs
Diaries