Finding Aid to the William Stern papers, 1915-1965
Finding Aid written by The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life staff.
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2011
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the William Stern papers, 1915-1965
Collection Number: BANC MSS 2010/703
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
- Finding Aid Written By:
- The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life staff.
- Date Completed:
-
May 2011
© 2011 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: William Stern papers
Date (inclusive): 1915-1965
Collection Number: BANC MSS 2010/703
Creators :
Stern, William, 1897-1965
Extent:
Number of containers: 6 cartons, 2 boxes, and 2 oversize boxes
Linear feet: 8.2
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: The papers of Rabbi Willam Stern of Oakland, California. The collection includes files on Stern's involvement with various
local and national organizations, Jewish and non-Jewish; files from Stern's years at Temple Sinai; correspondence, including
letters of appreciation to Rabbi Stern for his efforts on weddings, bar mitzvot, funerals, and conversions; sermons and addresses,
some of which were for the Jewish Chautauqua Society, about religious, patriotic, and philanthropic matters, including The
California Jew in History; subject files; ephemera and clippings; certificates and commendations; and a small number of photographs.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
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.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head
of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The
Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright
owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes. All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted
in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is
given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes. Materials in this collection 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.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], William Stern papers, BANC MSS 2010/703, The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, The Bancroft
Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Stern, William, 1897-1965--Archives
Jewish Chautauqua Society
Temple Sinai (Oakland, Calif.)
Temple Sinai (Oakland, Calif.)--Anniversaries, etc
Jews--California--Oakland
Humanitarianism
Patriotism
Social service
Oakland (Calif.)--Religious life and customs
Jewish sermons, American--California--Oakland
Correspondence--California--Oakland.
Rabbis--California--Oakland.
Western Jewish History Center.$n270
Judah L. Magnes Museum.$nWJHC 1968.032
Bancroft Library. Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The William Stern papers were gifted to The Bancroft Library by the Judah L. Magnes Museum in 2010.
Accruals
No future additions are expected.
System of Arrangement
Collection is arranged into 9 series: Community Involvement, General Jewish; Community Involvement, General; Temple Sinai;
Correspondence; Sermons, Addresses, and Services; Subject Files; Ephemera and Clippings; Certification, Commendations, and
Plaques; and Photographs.
Processing Information
Processed by Judah L. Magnes Museum staff in 1968. Additional processing by The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life staff
in 2011.
Biographical Information
William Stern served as a rabbi of Oakland's Temple Sinai from 1934 to 1965. Before serving at Sinai, he was a rabbi at Congregation
United Hebrew in Fort Smith, Oklahoma, and at Temple Beth El, in South Bend, Indiana. During his tenure at Temple Sinai, Stern
was known for his knowledge, thoughtfulness, congeniality, and patriotism, and Sinai's membership increased greatly during
his rabbinate. He actively involved himself in the affairs of his community, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, immersing himself
in interfaith relations and doing what he could to combat anti-Semitism. He served with various civic organizations, including
the Citizens Committees for Better Schools, Better Dental Health and Urban Renewal; Travelers Aid; the Alameda County United
Fund; Rotary Club; the Jewish Community Relations Council (with which he was affiliated from 1952 to 1964); the Northern California
Board of Rabbis (from 1939 until his death); the Interfaith Committee on Release Time and Religious Education; the Jewish
Committee for Personal Service; the Jewish Welfare Federation of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties; and the Palestine Orchestra
Fund. In 1937, Rabbi Stern spoke for the Emergency Peace Campaign of Northern Foreign War Crusade. In 1942, he was elected
to the executive council for the Oakland Area War Fund.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection includes files on William Stern's involvement with various local and national organizations, Jewish and non-Jewish;
files from Stern's years at Temple Sinai; correspondence, including letters of appreciation to Rabbi Stern for his efforts
on weddings, bar mitzvot, funerals, and conversions; sermons and addresses, some of which were for the Jewish Chautauqua Society,
about religious, patriotic, and philanthropic matters, including The California Jew in History; subject files; ephemera and
clippings; certificates and commendations; and a small number of photographs.
Series 1
Community Involvement: General Jewish,
1937-1965
Physical Description:
Carton 1
Carton 1, Folder 1
American Council for Judaism,
1942-1945
Carton 1, Folder 2
B'nai B'rith correspondence,
1941-1950
Carton 1, Folder 3
B'nai B'rith District Grand Lodge #4 (Zone Deputy),
1938-1939
Carton 1, Folder 4
Committee of 100, Hall of Religion, Golden Gate International Exposition,
1937-1940
Carton 1, Folder 5
East Bay Board of Rabbis,
1947-1955
Carton 1, Folder 6
Institutes on Judaism,
1947-1954
Carton 1, Folder 7
Interfaith Committee on Released Time Religious Education,
1944-1965
Carton 1, Folder 8
Interfaith Movement, Inc.,
1952
Carton 1, Folder 9
Israel Bond Campaign,
1962-1964
Carton 1, Folder 10
Jewish Chatauqua Society,
1941-1965
Carton 1, Folder 11
Jewish Committee for Personal Service,
1944-1945
Carton 1, Folder 14
Jewish National Fund Dinner, testimonial to Stern,
June 1963
Carton 1, Folder 15
Membership B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League,
1939-1941
Carton 1, Folder 16
National Conference of Christians and Jews, Camp Speaking Programs,
1943-1944
Carton 1, Folder 17
Northern California Board of Rabbis,
1956-1965
Carton 1, Folder 18
Northern California Reform Rabbis,
1959-1960
Carton 1, Folder 19
Oakland Jewish Welfare Federation,
1949-1965
Carton 1, Folder 20
Passion Play Correspondence,
1943-1947
Carton 1, Folder 21
Synagogue Council,
1955-1960
Carton 1, Folder 22
Tercentenary Committee,
1953-1954
Carton 1, Folder 23
Union American Hebrew Congregations, including Northern California Convention,
1960-1965
Carton 1, Folder 24
United Jewish Welfare Fund Campaign,
1952
Carton 1, Folder 25
Western Association of Reform Rabbis,
1962-1965
Carton 1, Folder 26
Zionist Organization,
1943-1948
Series 2
Community Involvement: General,
1929-1965
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 1-20
Carton 2, Folder 1
Alameda County United Fund (UBAC),
1961-1965
Carton 2, Folder 3
Child Study Material,
1929
Carton 2, Folder 4
Church Industry Conference,
1941-1945
Carton 2, Folder 5
Citizens' Committees for Better Schools,
1955
Carton 2, Folder 6
Citizens' Committees for Better Dental Health,
1961-1964
Carton 2, Folder 7
Citizens' Committees for Urban Renewal,
1955-1956
Carton 2, Folder 8
Committee of 1000,
1963-1965
Carton 2, Folder 9
Community Chest 1938 and 1939 Campaign,
1938-1939
Carton 2, Folder 10
Community Chest 1938 Campaign Chairman Correspondence,
1938
Carton 2, Folder 11
Crippled Children Society,
1959-1964
Carton 2, Folder 12
Emergency Peace Campaign,
1937
Carton 2, Folder 13
Exposition Committee,
1937-1939
Carton 2, Folder 14
Peace and Neutrality,
1937
Carton 2, Folder 17
Rotary and Lions Club Service,
1965
Carton 2, Folder 18
Symphony Orchestra Association,
1959-1965
Carton 2, Folder 19
Travelers Aid Society Objectives Committee,
1941-1951
Carton 2, Folder 20
War Work Committees,
1941-1945
Series 3
Temple Sinai (Oakland, Calif.),
1937-1977
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 21-23; Carton 3, folders 1-22
Carton 2, Folder 21
Anniversaries: 10th,
1944
Carton 2, Folder 22
Anniversaries: 15th,
1949
Carton 2, Folder 23
Anniversaries: 20th,
1954
Carton 3, Folder 1
Anniversaries: 25th,
1959
Carton 3, Folder 2
Anniversaries: 30th,
1964
Oversize Box 1, Folder 5
Anniversaries: 30th (Guest List),
1964
Carton 3, Folder 3
Anniversaries: 75th,
1950
Carton 3, Folder 4
Anniversaries: 80th,
1955
Carton 3, Folder 5
Anniversaries: 90th,
1965
Carton 3, Folder 7
Brotherhoods (including 30 June- 14 September 1961 correspondence with Bishop Pike),
1945-1965
Carton 3, Folder 8
Committees (Temple),
1953-1965
Carton 3, Folder 9-10
Confirmation Programs,
1915-1965
Carton 3, Folder 11
Correspondence,
1925-1934
Carton 3, Folder 13
Married Couples' Service,
1940-1942
Carton 3, Folder 14
Rabbi Stern obits and memorials,
1966-1981
Carton 3, Folder 15
Planning Committee (Temple),
1965
Carton 3, Folder 16
Plays by Rabbi Stern,
1934-1935
Carton 3, Folder 17
Religious Education Committee, Bnai Brith,
1941-1942
Carton 3, Folder 18
Religious School Building,
1948
Carton 3, Folder 19
Sinai 20-30 Club,
1939-1951
Carton 3, Folder 20
Sunday School Teachers Service,
1953,
1963
Carton 3, Folder 21
Inter-city Oratorical Contest,
1937
Carton 3, Folder 22
Young Married League,
1947-1956
Series 4
Correspondence,
1926-1965
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 23-26; Carton 4, folders 1-13
Carton 3, Folder 23-26
General correspondence,
1937-1942
Carton 4, Folder 1-2
General correspondence,
1942-1965
Carton 4, Folder 3
Temple Beth El, South Bend, Indiana,
1926-1932
Carton 4, Folder 4
Congratulatory letters and commendations,
1934-1936
Carton 4, Folder 5
Congratulatory letters and commendations,
1937-1938
Carton 4, Folder 6-7
Congratulatory letters and commendations,
1939-1946
Carton 4, Folder 9
Condolences, weddings, bar mitzvahs,
1945-1951
Carton 4, Folder 10
Condolences, weddings, bar mitzvahs,
1956-1965
Carton 4, Folder 11
Personal and Financial,
1932-1962
Carton 4, Folder 12
Placement Committee,
1956
Series 5
Sermons, Addresses, and Services,
1922-1936
Physical Description:
Carton 4, folders 14-24; Carton 5, folders 1-42
Carton 5, Folder 28
Sermons for children,
undated
Carton 5, Folder 29-31
Sermons, notes, and miscellaneous addresses,
undated
Carton 5, Folder 33
Peace addresses,
1934-1945
Carton 5, Folder 34-42
Confirmation Services,
1945-1965
Series 6
Subject Files,
circa 1920-1960
Physical Description:
Carton 5, folders 43-57; Carton 6; Box 1
Carton 5, Folder 43
The American Dream,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 44
Anti-Semitism,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 45
Anti-Semitism in Germany,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 46
Anti-Semitism in Russia,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 47
Architecture, Jews in,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 48
Art and artist, Jewish,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 49
Assimilation,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 52
Birth Control,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 5, Folder 56
Child, Problems of the,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 1
Christians and Christianity,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 2
Christian and Jew,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 3
Church, The,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 4
Crime and criminals,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 5
Crime, Juvenile delinquency,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 6
Congressional records,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 7
Debt-foriegn,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 8
Depression, problems relating,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 9
Diplomacy, in Jews,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 10
Disarmament,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 11
Do we still need parents?,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 13
Economics,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 14
Education, Jewish schools,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 15
Education, religious,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 16
Education, general,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 17
Einstein,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 18
Employment and discrimination,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 19
Evolution,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 20
Farmer, Jewish,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 21
Finance and Jewish financiers,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 22
Foreign countries, notes on,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 25
Heroic Life, The,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 27-28
Holy Days,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 29
Humanism,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 31
Industry and business, problems relating to,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 34
Jewish contributions to civilization,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 35
Jewish history and historians,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 36
Jewish Problem, The,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 37
Jewish student in universities,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 38
Jewish war heroes,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 39
Jewish woman,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 40
Jewry, leaders in America,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 41
Jewry, leaders in foreign countries,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 42
Jews and Nazi Germany,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 43
Jews in America,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 44
Jews in athletics,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 45
Jews in Australia,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 46
Jews in England,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 47
Jews in the Far East,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 48
Jews in Germany,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 49
Jews in Italy,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 50
Jews in Poland,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 51
Jews in Russia,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 52
Jews in Spain,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 53
Jews in The Netherlands,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 54
Judaism and the Jews,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 55
Judaism and reform,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 56
Justice, topics relating to,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 58
Language,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 59
Law, Jews in,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 60
Literature, books by Jewish authors,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 61
Literature, Jewish woman in,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 62
Literature, Jewish writers,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 63
Literature, Jews and drama,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 64
Literature, Jews subject of,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 65
Local notes,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 66
Magazine articles,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 67
Marriage and intermarriage,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 68
Medicine,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 69
Medicine, medical schools and the Jew,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 70
Ministry, rabbis and preachers,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 71-72
Miscellaneous,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 75
Pacifism,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 76
Palestine,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 77
Philanthropy,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 78
Philosophy, Jewish,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 79
Philosophy, subjects relating to,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 80
Political problems,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 81
Prayer and prayer book,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 82
Prejudice,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 83
Prophets of Israel,
circa 1920-1960
Carton 6, Folder 84
Psychology,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 1
Rabbi Abash,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 2
Race problems,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 4-5
Religion,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 6
Religion and psychiatry,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 7
Religion in the colleges,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 8
Religion in modern Jewish life,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 9
Religion and mysticism,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 10
Religion and science,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 11
Russia and the Soviet Union,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 12
Science, topics relating to,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 13
Science and scientists, Jewish inventors,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 14
Shintoism,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 15
Socialism and leaders,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 16
Social justice,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 17
Social problems,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 18
Social science and philanthropy,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 19
Social work,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 21
Superstitions,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 22
Supreme Court decisions,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 23
Synagogues,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 24
Technocracy,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 25
Tolerance,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 26
Unemployment,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 27
Universities and the college youth,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 28
War profiteers,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 29
War topics, discussing,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 30
War, the Jews in,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 31
Washington, George and the Jew,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 32
Wise, Stephen S.,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 33
World Jewish Congress,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 34
Youth, Jewish,
circa 1920-1960
Box 1, Folder 35
Zionism and leaders,
circa 1920-1960
Series 7
Ephemera and Clippings,
1921-1965
Physical Description:
Box 2, folders 1-2; Oversize Box 2, folders 2-4, Oversize Box 1
Box 2, Folder 1-2
Travel ephemera, postcards,
circa 1925
Oversize Box 2, Folder 2-4
Oversize clippings scrapbook pages (laminated),
1921-1952
Oversize Box 1
Clippings scrapbook,
circa 1940-1965
Series 8
Certificates, Commendations, and Plaques,
1909-1965
Physical Description:
Box 2, folder 3; Oversize Box 2, folder 1, Oversize Box 1, folders 2-4
Box 2, Folder 3
Certificates and commendations,
1914-1964
Oversize Box 1, Folder 2-4
Oversize Box 2, Folder 1
Oversize miscellaneous (includes 1909 incorporation cert. for Adath Israel),
circa 1909-1965
Series 9
Photographs,
circa 1910-1965
Physical Description:
Box 2, folder 4; Oversize Box 2, folder 1
Box 2, Folder 4
Photographs,
circa 1940-1965
Oversize Box 2, Folder 1
Oversize miscellaneous,
circa 1910-1940
