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.

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.

19.5 linear feet (14 cartons, 1 box, 1 oversize box)

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Collection is open for research.