TABLE OF CONTENTS


Introduction

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Conditions of Access and Use

Related Material

Administrative Information

Search Terms

Box and Folder Listing

Series A. Correspondence. 1900-1949.

Series B. Writings and Nearprint. 1933-1951.

A Finding Aid to the Louis Witt Papers 1900-1951.

Manuscript Collection No. 159


Introduction

Repository: The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives
Creator: Witt, Louis, 1878-1950.
Title: Louis Witt Papers.
Dates: 1900-1951
Quantity: 1.2 linear feet (3 Hollinger boxes)
Abstract: The Louis Witt Papers detail the life of Witt (1878-1950) as a rabbi, civic leader, and author in Dayton, Ohio. Papers consist of correspondence, articles, newsclippings, and miscellaneous items pertaining to the professional activities of Rabbi Witt between 1900 and 1951. Also, the papers contain sermons and lectures delivered by him.
Collection Number: MS-159
Language: Collection material in English.

Biographical Sketch

Louis Witt

Louis Witt was born in 1878 and was raised in Rochester, New York. Both Witt and his friend Samuel Goldenson went to Hebrew Union College to pursue their dream of becoming rabbis. Following his graduation from Hebrew Union College in 1903, Witt served a small congregation in Pueblo, Colorado. In 1907, he became the rabbi at Congregation B'nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained until 1919. In 1920, Witt took a one year position at Temple Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, Missouri.

Witt served as the rabbi at Congregation Temple Israel in Dayton, Ohio from 1921 until his retirement in 1946. Under his leadership, the congregation doubled in size and a new temple auditorium project was begun. Witt was also extremely active in local politics, the relationships of Christians and Jews and symbols used in the Reform movement.


Scope and Content Note

The Louis Witt Papers detail the life of Witt as a rabbi, civic leader, and author in Dayton, Ohio. Papers consist of correspondence, articles, newsclippings, and miscellaneous items pertaining to the professional activities of Rabbi Witt between 1900 and 1951. Also, the papers contain sermons and lectures delivered by him.


Arrangement

The papers are divided into two series as follows:

A. Correspondence

B. Writings and Miscellaneous


Conditions of Access and Use

Terms of Access

The collection is open for use; no restrictions apply.

Terms of Reproduction and Use

This collection has been placed in the permanent care, custody, and control of the American Jewish Archives (AJA) by the donors of the collection. Questions concerning rights to use or publish materials from the collection should be addressed to the Executive Director of the AJA. For more information, see the American Jewish Archives copyright information webpage.


Related Material

Hurvitz, Henry/ Menorah Association Memorial Collection. MSS Collection No. 2.

Lazaron, Morris. MSS Collection No. 71.

Union of American Hebrew Congregations Records. MSS Collection No. 72.

Witt, Louis. Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Cincinnati. 1902. FF3:C3.

Witt, Louis. Nearpint Biographies File.

Witt Louis. Picture Collection.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the Louis Witt Papers and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is as follows:

[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-159. Louis Witt Papers. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Provenance

The papers were donated by Myra Witt, Columbus, Ohio in November 1968.

Processing Information

Processed by American Jewish Archives staff.


Box and Folder Listing

Series A. Correspondence. 1900-1949.
The correspondence series consists of one Hollinger box (1900-1949). Of particular interest is correspondence relating to the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
This series is arranged alphabetically.
Box Folder
1 1 Correspondence. A-E.
1 2 Correspondence. F-K.
1 3 Correspondence. L-R.
1 4 Razosky, Cecilia. Correspondence. 1935-1938.
1 5 Correspondence. S-Z.
1 6 Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Correspondence. 1931-1948.
1 7 Witt, Myra. Correspondence. undated
1 8 Unidentified correspondence. 1929;1937-1949; undated
Series B. Writings and Nearprint. 1933-1951.
Witt was noted for his active participation in the Jewish Dayton community and his research into Jewish response to Christmas. This series represents his published materials.
The series is arranged with the sermons first, subdivided alphabetically by title, followed by memorials and prayers.
Box Folder
2 1 Sermons and writings. A-E.
2 2 Sermons and writings. F-K.
2 3 Jew Celebrates Christmas.Articles; correspondence. 1939-1950.
2 4 Sermons and writings. L-O.
Box Folder
3 1 Sermons and writings. P-R.
3 2 Sermons and writings. S-T.
3 3 Sermons and writings. U-Y.
3 4 Sermons and writings. Untitled and fragments.
3 5 Memorials. 1950-1951.
3 6 Prayers. undated
3 7 Miscellaneous.

Search Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the AJA's online catalog.

Persons and Families

Witt, Louis -- 1878-1950

Institutions

Temple Israel (Dayton, Ohio)

Subjects

Jews -- Arkansas -- Little Rock
Jews -- Missouri -- Saint Louis
Jews -- Ohio -- Dayton

Genres and Forms

Jewish sermons, American
Prayers

Occupations

Rabbis