Connection and community: documenting 20TH-century american jewish philanthropy and public service [jewish federations are collectively among the largest charities in the U.S. And the world

The Center for Jewish History, Inc. will receive $700,000 through a three-year Project Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities under the Promotion of the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access program. The Center will arrange, describe, and provide intellectual access to the records of the Council of Jewish Federations for the first time. Totaling 1,475 linear feet, the Council's records document 20th century American Jewish philanthropy and public service at the national scale. A selection of 5,000 items will also be digitized. By opening this significant collection and making materials available online, the grant will support humanities research across fields and engage the public on the history of Jewish communities nationwide. The Preservation and Access program aims to ensure long-term availability of primary resources in the humanities through projects that promote preserving and accessing materials in libraries, museums, and archives.

Federations were created by and for local communities at the turn of the 20TH century to address social needs like immigrant relief, education, and elder care before state-led social service infrastructure was available. As jewish federations grew, so did the necessity for collaboration among them, leading to the establishment in 1932 of the council of jewish federations to coordinate efforts on a national scale. The center for jewish history and the american jewish historical society will arrange and describe the records of the council of jewish federations (1,475 linear feet), opening this prodigious collection to researchers for the first time. A selection of 5,000 items will also be digitized. The council?s records hold tremendous potential for humanities research across many fields and appeal to a broad public interested the history of communities across the nation.]