TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Finding Aid to the American Pro-Falasha Committee Records. 1922-1949.
Manuscript Collection No. 61
Introduction |
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| Repository: | The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives |
| Creator: | American Pro-Falasha Committee. |
| Title: | American Pro-Falasha Committee Records. |
| Dates: | 1922-1949. |
| Quantity: | 1.2 linear feet (3 Hollinger boxes, 1 oversize box) |
| Abstract: | The American Pro-Falasha Committee records trace the creation, development, and activities of this organization, founded in 1924 in New York City to promote education in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), to organize schools and synagogues in the Falasha communities, to translate educational works and the Bible into the Falasha language and to improve their living conditions. The collection consists of correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, membership lists, and nearprint which trace the activities of the Committee in the United States and Abyssinia in the years 1922-1949. |
| Collection Number: | MS-61 |
| Language: | Collection material in English. |
Institutional Sketch
The New York City based American Pro-Falasha Committee was organized in 1922 and incorporated in 1924 to promote educational efforts in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), to organize schools and synagogues in the Falasha communities, to translate educational works and the Bible into the Falasha language, and to improve their living conditions.
The Committee was organized largely through the efforts of Rabbi J. Max Weis, Dr. Norman Salit, and Dr. Jacques Faitlovitch, who assumed the duties of Educational Director in Abyssinia.
Throughout its nearly thirty year existence, from 1922-1949, the Committee was plagued by constant financial and political problems. Adequate monies rarely existed to support the Committee's educational efforts. In addition, the political status of Abyssinia, especially in the 1930s, was constantly in doubt because of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's efforts to conquer Abyssinia.
Scope and Content Note
The American Pro-Falasha Committee records describe the efforts of a New York City based organization that was incorporated in 1924 to organize schools and synagogues in Abyssinia, to translate educational works and the Bible into the Falasha language, and to improve living conditions among the Falashas. The collection consists of correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, membership lists, and nearprint which trace the activities of the Committee in the United States and in Abyssinia.
Arrangement
The papers are divided into one general series.
Conditions of Access and Use
Terms of Access
The collection is open for use; no restrictions apply.
Terms of Reproduction and Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce, with exceptions for fair use, may be obtained through the American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio. Please address queries to the Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives. For more information, see the American Jewish Archives copyright information webpage.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the American Pro-Falasha Committee Records and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is as follows:
[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-61. American Pro-Falasha Committee Records. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Provenance
The American Pro-Falasha Committee records were received from Daniel L. Davis, Director of the New York Federation of Reform Synagogues, New York, N.Y., in 1952.
Processing Information
Processed by Mark Cowett, September, 1978.
Box and Folder Listing
Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the AJA's online catalog.