TABLE OF CONTENTS


Introduction

Institutional Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement Note

Conditions of Access and Use

Related Material

Administrative Information

Search Terms

Box Folder Listing

Series A. District 9: Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1962-1997.

Series B. District 11: Michigan Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1974-1996.

Series C. District 10: Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1963-2002.

Series D. Central District. 1945-2010.

A Finding Aid to the Women of Reform Judaism, Central District Records. 1945-2010.

Manuscript Collection No. 63


Introduction

Repository: The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives
Creator: Women of Reform Judaism (U.S.). Central District.
Title: Women of Reform Judaism, Central District Records
Dates: 1945-2010
Quantity: 19.2 linear feet (33 Hollinger boxes, 4 oversized boxes)
Abstract: Correspondence, bulletins, committee records, financial records, minutes, and history.
Collection Number: MS-63
Language: Collection material in English.

Institutional Sketch

Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1913 as the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS), Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is a national organization representing 100,000 women in 600 local Sisterhoods throughout the United States, Canada, and thirteen other countries. It is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the central body of Reform Judaism in North America. The Ohio Valley Federation chapters were a part of the NFTS from the opening conference in Cincinnati in March, 1913.

An early report of the recently created Special Committee on State and District Federations at the 1922 Biennial Convention notes that Ohio was a model state federation whose example could be followed by others. Both Ohio and Indiana had state federations before such organizations were formally recognized by the Executive branch. In fact, the Special Committee of the NFTS used the Ohio constitution as its model for other states wishing to create federations. The goals of state organizations were to strengthen the work of the national organization, promote publicity, and bring together Jewish women for the exchange of ideas.

There has been several changes in the geographic region covered by the district now known as the Central District because of changes in Sisterhood memberships. State federations evolved into interstate regions. Federations are first mentioned in 1915 in relation to subscriptions for the Hebrew Union College scholarship fund. Federations were primarily organized by state. In 1960, the former District 6 (Ohio Federation) and District 12 (Kentucky and Tennessee Federation) combined to form the District 9 Ohio Valley Federation. Two years later the District 7 (West Virginia Federation) became part of District 9. In 1970, the District 10 (Indiana Federation) joined with District 9 because of diminishing membership. In 1997, a further reorganization brought in the former District 11 (Michigan Federation) to become District 10- the Ohio Valley-Michigan Federation of Temple Sisterhoods.

In 2006, WRJ began merging some districts and renaming them by their geographical location. The Ohio Valley-Michigan Federation became known as the Central District. Currently the Central District consists of 36 sisterhoods in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The Central District is one of eight districts of Women of Reform Judaism in North America, Israel and around the world.

The regional Sisterhood organization has held biennial conventions. It elects a board which meets yearly and liaisons with the national organization. Activities of the Ohio Valley-Michigan Federation have included sponsoring speakers, programs, care packages for college students away from home and the sale of uniongrams. They have also had a series of newsletters which help to foster communications between the sisterhoods separated by large distances.


Scope and Content Note

The Women of Reform Judaism, Central District Records detail the activities and goals of a regional Sisterhood organization. Regional organizations encourage communication both between individual chapters and with the national organization in part through common events. Biennial conventions showcase speakers from both the regional chapters and representatives of the national organization and are an important part of the records. There are some convention files which explicate the planning and program of a typical convention together with a complete series of Highlights reports which summarize the meetings of the membership as a part of the records. The Interim Board file from 1987 contains information about the debate over the value and structure of future biennial meetings.

Within the District are numerous committees and offices. The records contain committee files from 1978-1996, from such mundane departments as Administration to the Judaica Shop and the Critical Issues committee. The Critical Issues committee contains material about the Federation's platform on issues such as abortion, intermarriage and Soviet Jewry. Other committee files typically contain the reports of the committee chairs and correspondence with membership. Membership lists and local president lists are included among the committee files.

The Ohio Valley Federation (District 9) and Michigan Federation (District 11), both formed in the early years of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (now called the Women of Reform Judaism) were merged into the new District 10 in 1997. The majority of the records are from the District 9 years of the regional organization from 1962-1997. Minutes and reports show typical and atypical activities and projects for the regional organization. Records relating to the merger are found in the 1995-1996 presidential records of District 9. Records have been donated to the American Jewish Archives by presidents of the organization.

There are limited records relating to the Michigan District 11 from those same years. There are no early records in the collection documenting the state federations prior to 1962. The early records of the Indiana state federation are located at the Indiana Jewish Historical Society. A history of the organization from 1913-1979 provides a useful chronology for District 9.


Arrangement Note

This collection is arranged in four (4) series:

  • Series A. District 9: Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1962-1997.
  • Series B. District 11: Michigan Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1974-1996.
  • Series C. District 10: Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1963-2002.
  • Series D. Central District. 1945-2010.

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.


Related Material

Related Collections

Michigan Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Nearprint Special Topics.

National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Nearprint Special Topics.

Women of Reform Judaism Records. MS-73.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the Women of Reform Judaism, Central District Records and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is as follows:

[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-63. Women of Reform Judaism, Central District Records. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Provenance

The records of the Ohio Valley-Michigan Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, District 10, were received from the organization in separate shipments in August 1978, September 2000, and December 2001. All material received prior to November 2012 has been arranged and described in this inventory.

Processing Information

Processed by Melinda McMartin, March, 2002. Additional processing by Michelle Wirth Detroit, November, 2012.


Box Folder Listing

Series A. District 9: Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1962-1997.[5.5 Hollinger boxes, 2 oversized boxes (5.2 linear feet)]
Box Folder
1 1 Administration Department. 1985-1987.
1 2 Administration. Manuals; Procedures; Reports. 1962-1996; Undated.
1 3 Area's Directors Reports. 1975-1988.
1 4 Awards. 1986-1996.
1 5 Biennial Convention. Highlights Reports. 1962-1968.
1 6 Biennial Convention. Highlights Reports. 1978-1988.
1 7 Biennial Convention. Highlights Reports. 1989-1994.
1 8 Biennial Convention. Hebrew Union College (Cincinnati, Ohio). 1962.
1 9 Biennial Convention. Akron, Ohio. 1962.
1 10 Biennial Convention. Detroit, Michigan. 1976.
1 11 Biennial Convention. Nashville, Tennessee. 1988.
1 12 Biennial Convention. Columbus, Ohio. 1992.
1 13 Biennial Convention. Huntington, West Virginia. 1994.
Box Folder
2 1 Biennial Convention. Canton, Ohio. 1996.
2 2 Bulletins. 1962-1972.
2 3 Bulletins. 1985-1990.
2 4 Bulletins. 1991-1997.
2 5 Bulletin Editor. Correspondence. 1988-1992.
2 6 By-Laws; Parliamentary Rules. 1986-1994; Undated.
2 7 Circle of Service Committee. 1987-1993.
2 8 Collegiate Affairs Committee. 1987-1990.
2 9 Education and Religion Department. 1986-1995; Undated.
Box Folder
3 1 Critical Issues Committee. Correspondence; Reports. 1988-1995.
3 2 Critical Issues Committee. Nearprint. 1986-1995; Undated.
3 3 Executive Committee Meetings. Minutes. 1962-1965.
3 4 Executive Committee Meetings. Minutes. 1966-1967.
3 5 Executive committee meetings. Minutes. October 1967-1968.
Box Folder
4 1 Meeting Minutes. 1962-1975.
4 2 Meeting Minutes. 1976-1980.
4 3 Meeting Minutes. 1981-1990.
4 4 Executive Committee Meetings. Minutes. 1981-1990.
4 5 Executive Committee Meetings. Minutes. 1991-1996; Undated.
4 6 Financial Reports. Audit Statements. 1980-1988; Undated.
4 7 Financial Reports. Treasurer's Reports. 1979-1995.
4 8 Financial Secretary. Reports. 1982-1996.
Box Folder
5 1 Fundraising Committee. 1976-1991.
5 2 History. 1979.
Box
X-167 History. 1964-1978.
[Includes typescript, manuscript and photographs.]
Box
X-168 History. 1964-1978.
[Includes typescript, manuscript and photographs.]
Box Folder
5 3 Human Relations Department. 1986-1994; Undated.
5 4 Interim Board Minutes. Lexington, Kentucky. 1987.
5 5 Judaica Shop Committee. Undated.
5 6 Membership Committee. 1984-1992.
5 7 Membership Rosters. 1979-1988; 1994-1996.
5 8 Outreach Committee (Intermarriage). 1987-1995.
5 9 President's Records. Correspondence; Reports. 1962-1967.
Box Folder
6 1 President's Records. Correspondence; Reports. 1967-1971.
6 2 President's Records. Correspondence; Reports. 1982-1994.
6 3 President's Records. Correspondence; Reports. 1995-1997.
6 4 Program Committee. 1978-1990.
6 5 Small Sisterhoods Committee. 1994-1996.
6 6 Speaker's Bureau. 1986-1992.
6 7 Union of American Hebrew Congregations. 1990-1995.
6 8 World Union for Progressive Judaism. Correspondence. 1986-1995.
Series B. District 11: Michigan Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1974-1996.[0.5 Hollinger boxes (0.2 linear feet)]
Box Folder
6 9 Membership and Officers Lists. 1976-1979; 1992-1996.
6 10 President's Records. Correspondence; Reports. 1974-1979.
Series C. District 10: Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. 1963-2002.[9 Hollinger boxes (3.6 linear feet)]
Subseries 1. Administration. 1963-2002.
Box Folder
7 1 Aging Programs. Undated.
7 2 Awards. 1995-1998.
7 3 Award Applications. 2000.
7 4 Award Applications. L'Dor V'Dor. 2001-2002.
7 5 Award Applications. Ruchiani. 2001-2002.
7 6 Award Applications. Temple Sisterhood of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. 2000.
7 7 Award Application. Tikkun Hanefresh. 2001-2002.
7 8 Biennial Convention. Cincinnati, Ohio. 1962.
7 9 Biennial Convention. 1966.
7 10 Biennial Convention. 1966.
7 11 Biennial Convention. April 1968.
7 12 Biennial Convention. Columbus, Ohio. 1970.
7 13 Biennial Convention. Cleveland, Ohio. April 1972.
7 14 Biennial Convention. Indianapolis, Indiana. 1978.
7 15 Biennial Convention. Cincinnati, Ohio. April 1979.
7 16 Biennial Convention. Huntington, West Virginia. April 1980.
7 17 Biennial Convention Report. 1986.
Box Folder
8 1 Biennial Convention. 1984.
8 2 Biennial Convention. Nashville, Tennessee. 1988.
8 3 Biennial Convention. April 20, 1990.
8 4 Biennial Convention. Huntington, West Virginia. April 1994.
8 5 Bulletins/Newsletters. 1976-1985.
8 6 Bulletins/Newsletters. 1986-1989.
8 7 Bulletins/Newsletters. 1990-1992.
8 8 Bulletins/Newsletters. 1993-1997.
Box Folder
9 1 Bulletins/Newsletters. 1998-2000.
9 2 Bulletins/Newsletters. 2001-2003.
9 3 By Laws and Policies. 1996.
9 4 Bylaws and Policies. 1992-2000.
9 5 Communication, Presentation, Reciprocation. 1997; Undated.
9 6 Contact Forms. Valley Temple, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1998-1999.
9 7 Contact Forms. Valley Temple, Cincinnati, Ohio. 2004.
9 8 Convention Report. 1988.
9 9 Correspondence. 1980-1981.
9 10 Correspondence: Spring Letter to Vice- President. 1997.
9 11 Correspondence. Letter to Officers. 1998.
9 12 Correspondence. Letters to Presidents Whose Terms Expire in 1997.
9 13 Critical Issues. 1997-1998.
9 14 District Areas: Maps and Lists. Undated.
9 15 Districts 9 and 11 Merger. 1997.
9 16 Districts 9 and 11 Packet Information. 1996-1998.
9 17 District 9. Notebook. 1994-1996.
9 18 District 9. Organization Booklet. 1974-1976.
9 19 District 9. Organization Booklet. 1980-1982.
9 20 District 9. Organization Booklet. 1982-1984.
9 21 District 9. Organization Booklet. 1984-1986.
9 22 District 9. Organization Booklet. 1986-1988.
9 23 District 9. Organization Booklet. 1988-1990.
9 24 District 9. Organization Booklet. 1990-1992.
9 25 District 9. Budget. 1995-1998.
9 26 District 9. By Laws and Financial Plan. 1996.
9 27 District 9. Leadership Conference. 1995.
9 28 District 9. Merger History. 1997.
9 29 District 9. Notebooks. Additions and Changes. 1997-1998.
Box Folder
10 1 District 10 Records. 1998-2000.
10 2 District 10 Rosters. 2000-2004.
10 3 District 10 Vice President Reports. 1997.
10 4 Executive Board. 1996-1997.
10 5 Executive Committee Correspondence. 2000- 2003.
10 6 Executive Committee Meeting. April 2000-April 2003.
10 7 Executive Committee Meeting. November 2002-November 2003.
10 8 Financial Secretary. 1996-1998.
10 9 General District Notebook. 1997.
10 10 Historian. 1997.
10 11 --.
10 12 Interfaith Programs. Undated.
10 13 Interim Board Meetings. Charleston, West Virginia. April 22-23, 1963.
10 14 Interim Board Meetings. Nashville, Tennessee. April 19, 1971.
10 15 Interim Board Meetings. Canton, Ohio. April 1973.
10 16 Interim Board Meetings. 1983.
10 17 Interim Board Meetings. Lexington, Kentucky. 1987.
10 18 Interim Board Meetings. Columbus, Ohio. 1989.
10 19 Interim Board Meetings. Dayton, Ohio. 1991.
10 20 Interim Board Meetings. Cincinnati, Ohio. 1993.
10 21 Interim Board Meetings. Louisville, Kentucky. 1995.
Box Folder
11 1 Jewish Women. Women of Faith. 1981.
11 2 Judaica Shop. 1998.
11 3 Leadership Conference. 1997.
11 4 Leadership Conference. 1999.
11 5 Mission Statement and brief history. Undated.
11 6 Mission Statement, Bylaws, officer information. 1994.
11 7 Meetings. Area Days. 1997.
11 8 Meetings. District 10 Biennial Convention. 1998.
11 9 Meetings: Fall Executive Meeting. 1997-1998.
11 10 Meetings. Indianapolis Biennial Meeting. 1997.
11 11 Meetings. Interim Board-Leadership Conference. 1997.
11 12 Meetings. Leadership Conference. 1997.
11 13 Meetings. Women of Reform Judaism District Assembly. 1997.
11 14 Membership Lists. Contact Forms. 1997.
11 15 Membership Lists. Ohio Valley of Temple Sisterhoods: General. 1996-1998.
11 16 Membership Lists. Sisterhood Leadership Rosters. 1997-1998.
11 17 Membership Lists. Women of Reform Judaism. 1998-2000.
11 18 Nourishing our Souls. Fundraising Program. Undated.
11 19 Or Ami Award Materials. 1997.
11 20 Outreach. Undated.
11 21 Photographs. 1984.
11 22 Photographs. Undated.
11 23 Photographs. Undated.
Box Folder
12 1 Photographs. Undated.
12 2 Photograph negatives. Undated.
12 3 Policies and By-Laws. 1996.
12 4-8 Presidents Notebook. Nancy Apfel. 2000-2002.
12 9 Presidents Notebook. By-Laws. Nancy Apfel. 2000-2002.
12 10 Presidents Records. Reports, Correspondence, forms. 1997-1998.
Box Folder
13 1 Programming update: For all your seasons. Undated.
13 2 Quarterly phone call chart. Undated.
13 3 Rosh Chodesh. Healing Service. Undated.
13 4 Siterhood Job Descriptions. Undated.
13 5 Sisterhood and Liaison Materials. 1996-1998.
13 6 Sisterhood Sabbath and Installation Services. 1971-1999.
13 7 Sisterhood by Size List. 1996-1998.
13 8 Special Program Skits. 1970s.
13 9 Temple Shalom. Prayer and Songs. Sisterhood Shabot. March 7, 1998.
13 10 Torat Nashim. 1997-1998.
13 11 Vice President Advancement of Women of Reform Judaism. Projects and Financial Development. 1992- 1998.
13 12 Vice President Advancement of Women of Reform Judaism. Projects and Financial Development. By-Law and Policies. 1995.
13 13 Vice President Advancement of Women of Reform Judaism. Projects and Financial Development. B'nai Shalom. Huntington, West Virginia. 1997-1999.
13 14 Vice President Advancement of Women of Reform Judaism. Projects and Financial Development. B'nai Shalom. Huntington, West Virginia. 1998-2000.
13 15 Vice President Advancement of Women of Reform Judaism. Projects and Financial Development. 1998- 2000.
13 16 "Who are the Women of Reform Judaism?". Undated.
13 17 Women's Seders. 1998.
13 18 YES Fund. 1997.
Subseries 2. Scrapbooks. 1976-1999.
Box Folder
14 1 1976-1982.
14 2 April, 1986.
14 3 April, 1986.
14 4 1986-1994.
14 5 1988.
14 6 1991-1994.
14 7 1994.
Subseries 3. Audiovisual/Nearprint. 1997-1999; Undated.
Box
15 Videocassette: "We Are the Women", by the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. Undated.
15 Booklet. "Catalog of Program and Administrative Materials for Sisterhoods."Undated.
15 Booklet. "Celebrating Together: National Federation of Temple Youth's 50th Anniversary."1999.
15 Booklet. "The Executive Agenda: A Program for Leadership Development and Training For the Women of Reform Judaism, Basic Information for Sisterhood Leaders."Undated.
15 Booklet. "The President's Guide: A Partnership Between Your Sisterhood and Women of Reform Judaism."1997-1998.
15 Booklet. "The President's Guide: A Partnership Between Your Sisterhood and Women of Reform Judaism."1998-1999.
15 Booklet. "Reform Jewish Outreach: The Idea Book."Undated.
Series D. Central District. 1945-2010.[18 Hollinger boxes, 2 oversized boxes (10.2 linear feet)]
Scope and Content Note: Series D. Central District contains the records of the former Districts 9, 10, and 11, which were consolidated into the Central District in 2006.
Box Folder
16 1 Biennial Assembly. 1996.
16 2-3 Biennial Assembly. 2000.
16 4-5 Biennial Assembly. 2002.
Box Folder
17 1 Biennial Assembly. 2002.
17 2-3 Biennial Assembly. 2004.
17 4-5 Biennial Assembly. 2006.
Box Folder
18 1 Biennial Assembly. 2006.
18 2-3 Central District Conference/Convention. 2008.
18 4-5 WRJ 45th Assembly. 2005.
Box Folder
19 1-2 Leadership Conference/Summit. 1999.
19 3-7 Leadership Conference/Summit. 2001.
19 8 Leadership Conference/Summit. 2003.
19 9-11 Leadership Conference/Summit. 2005.
19 12 Leadership Conference/Summit. 2007.
Box Folder
20 1 Leadership Conference/Summit. 2007.
20 2 WRJ Board Meeting. 2005.
20 3 WRJ Board Meeting. 2008.
20 4 Area Director Reports. 2006-2007.
20 5 Area Director Reports. 2007.
20 6 District Presidents' Council meeting. 2003.
20 7 District Presidents' Council meeting. 2004.
20 8 District Presidents' Council meeting. 2005.
Box Folder
21 1 Executive Committee. 1992-2002.
21 2 Executive Committee. 2000-2005.
21 3 Executive Committee. 2004-2005.
Box Folder
22 1-2 Executive Committee. 2004-2006.
22 3 Notebooks. President. 2002-2004.
Box Folder
23 1 Notebooks. Past President. 2004-2006.
23 2 Notebooks. Vice Chair of Nominating. 2006-2009.
23 3 Notebooks. VP Development/Special Projects. 2000-2008.
Box Folder
24 1 Notebooks. VP Development/Special Projects. 2006-2009.
24 2 Notebooks. VP Programming/Advocacy. 2000-2004.
24 3 Notebooks. VP Programming/Advocacy. 2006-2009.
Box Folder
25 1-2 Notebooks. Nominating Committee. 2004-2009.
25 3 Notebooks. Nominating Committee. 2000-2010.
Box Folder
26 1 Notebooks. Bulletin Editor. 2000-2006.
26 2-3 Notebooks. Bulletin Editor. 2006-2009.
Box Folder
27 1-3 Notebooks. Bulletins. 1996-2007.
27 4 Notebooks. Recording Secretary. 1996-1998.
Box Folder
28 1 Notebooks. Financial Secretary. 2000-2004.
28 2 Ledger. 1981-1996.
28 3 Funds. Fenburr Estate.
28 4 Manuals. District Presidents.
28 5 Manuals. Board of Directors. 2005-2007.
28 6 Notebooks. Originals. 2004-2006.
28 7 Small Sisterhoods. 1998-2000.
Box Folder
29 1-2 Sisterhood Connection Phone Calls. 2004-2005.
29 3 Monthly Phone Call. 2008.
29 4 Service to Sisterhoods.
29 5-6 Job Descriptions. 2007.
29 7 Resignations. 2006-2008.
29 8 Executive Committee. 2004-2006.
29 9 Membership CD. 2009.
29 10 District 9. Organization books. 1962-1990.
Box Folder
30 1 District 9. Organization books. 1964-1990.
30 2-5 District 9. Ledger. 1974-1996.
Box Folder
31 1 District 9. Policies. 1964-1990.
31 2 District 9. Minutes. 1988-1991.
31 3 District 9. Minutes. 1992-1994.
31 4 District 9. Indiana Federation. 1945-1970.
31 5 District 9. Golden Jubilee. 1963.
31 6 District 9. Biennial/Interim Board Meeting. 1970.
31 7 District 9. Interim Board Meeting. 1973.
31 8 District 9. Biennial Notebook. 1974.
31 9 District 9. Correspondence. 1974-1976.
31 10 District 9. Biennial Notebook. 1978.
Box Folder
32 1 District 9. Biennial Notebook. 1979-1980.
32 2 District 9. Biennial Notebook. 1981-1982.
32 3 District 9. Biennial Notebook. 1983.
32 4 District 9. Organization Book. 1984-1988.
32 5 Nearprint and miscellaneous.
32 6 Floppy discs (7).
32 7 Biennial. Notes and publicity. 1974.
Box
33 Scrapbook. 1994-1999.
33 Scrapbook. 2000-2004.
Box
34 Scrapbooks. 1970-1974; 1998.
Box
35 Scrapbooks. 1962-1966.

Search Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the AJA Online Catalog.

Institutions

National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods.
National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. District 11, Michigan Federation.
National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. District 9, Ohio Valley Federation.
Women of Reform Judaism (U.S.).
Women of Reform Judaism (U.S.). District 10, Ohio Valley-Michigan Federation.

Subjects

Jewish women -- Indiana -- Societies and clubs.
Jewish women -- Kentucky -- Societies and clubs.
Jewish women -- Michigan -- Societies and clubs.
Jewish women -- Ohio -- Societies and clubs.
Jewish women -- Pennsylvania -- Societies and clubs.
Jewish women -- Tennessee -- Societies and clubs.
Jewish women -- West Virginia -- Societies and clubs.
Reform Judaism.

Genres and Forms

Videocassettes.