Collection Guide
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Mintzer (Oscar A.) papers
BANC MSS 2010/832
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Oscar A. Mintzer papers
Creator:
Mintzer, Oscar A., 1916-1987.
source:
Judah L. Magnes Museum
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 2010/832
Physical Description:
6 linear feet
(2 cartons, 1 box, 2 oversize boxes, 2 volumes)
Date (inclusive): 1945-1980
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft
Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For
current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online
catalog.
Language of Material:
English .
The collection is open for research with the exception of Oversize box 1, which is
restricted and requires curatorial permission to view.
No future additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Oscar A. Mintzer papers were transferred to The Bancroft Library from the Judah L.
Magnes Museum in 2010.
Existence and Location of Copies
There are no alternative forms of this collection.
Arranged to the folder level.
Oscar "Art" Mintzer was born in New York City. Immediately after the end of World War II,
he went to Germany with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) that was attached to the
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency to help Holocaust survivors. During his time
in Germany from 1945-1946 he was appointed Legal Aid Director in the U.S. Zone for the JDC.
In this role he provided services to protect the legal and civil rights of displaced
persons. He settled in Oakland, California in 1959, became very active in local Jewish
affairs and was made the executive director of the Jewish Welfare Federation of Alameda and
Contra Costa Counties. When he retired, he became its executive director emeritus.
[Identification of item], Oscar A. Mintzer papers, BANC MSS 2010/832,The Bancroft Library,
University of California, Berkeley.
Processed by Presley Hubschmitt in 2022.
This collection contains correspondence, reports, and other ephemera from Mintzer's work
with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in Germany from 1945-1946. This includes letters
between Oscar A. Mintzer and his wife discussing his work with the JDC and what he saw
happening in the camps while helping displaced persons in Germany. Notably, he describes
attending the Dachau Trials in November 1945. It also contains materials relating to his
work as the executive director of the Jewish Welfare Federation of Alameda and Contra Costa
Counties; his fundraising efforts; and to his interests and activities concerning the Jewish
charities of the East Bay.
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
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Charities -- California -- East Bay.
Fund raising -- California -- East Bay.
Jews -- Charities.
Jews -- California -- East Bay.
Fund raising.
Jews.
California -- East Bay.
Executives -- California -- East Bay.
Jewish refugees--Europe
Holocaust survivors -- Germany
Refugee camps -- Germany
Jewish Welfare Federation of Alameda and Contra Costa
Counties
Judah L. Magnes Museum
American Jewish Joint
Distribution Committee