TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Finding Aid to the Graenum Berger Papers. 1940-1996 (bulk 1970-1990)
Manuscript Collection No. 352
Funding, in part, for the arrangement and description of this collection was
provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Introduction |
|
| Repository: | The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives |
| Creator: | Berger, Graenum, 1908- |
| Title: | Graenum Berger Papers |
| Dates: | 1940-1996 |
| Bulk Dates: | 1970-1990 |
| Quantity: | 5.6 linear feet (14 Hollinger boxes) |
| Abstract: | Consists of correspondence, writings, diaries, journals, and other materials relating to the Association of Jewish Center Workers (earlier name: National Association of Jewish Center Workers) and his work with the American Association for Ethiopian Jews to help relocate the Falashas (Ethiopian Jews). Also included are notes and correspondence relating to his autobiography Graenum, along with extensive correspondence with family and friends relating both to his professional life and his personal life. |
| Collection Number: | MS-352 |
| Language: | Collection material in English. |
Biographical Sketch
Graneum Berger was born in Gloversville, New York, in 1908. In 1927, Berger and Emma Finestein of Albany eloped to Missouri where Berger was studying. Berger completed his bachelor's degree in 1930 from the University of Missouri. Two years later, he earned a masters degree from the Graduate School of Jewish Social Work in New York, New York. He then took a job with the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, and worked with Jewish community centers in New York, Israel, and other countries. Beginning in 1938, he taught social work at the New York School of Social Work.
In 1965, Berger visited Ethiopia where he saw the plight of the Falashas and vowed to help them. He began by trying to enlist American Jewish leaders to help relocate the Ethiopians to Israel but met with little success. Berger formed the American Association for Ethiopian Jews in 1965, and he began giving lectures to educate others about their plight. The Association began raising money for educational and medical programs to benefit the Ethiopians. After his retirement in 1973, Berger devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause.
Berger died March 31, 1999, at his home in New Rochelle, New York. He was 90 years old. His survivors included his wife of 71 years, a son, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
--Adapted from "Graenum Berger". Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 1999. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 25 May 2012.
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of correspondence, writings, diaries, journals, and other materials relating to the Association of Jewish Center Workers (earlier name: National Association of Jewish Center Workers) and his work with the American Association for Ethiopian Jews to help relocate the Falashas (Ethiopian Jews). Also included are notes and correspondence relating to his autobiography Graenum, along with extensive correspondence with family and friends relating both to his professional life and his personal life.
Conditions of Access and Use
Terms of Access and Use
The Graenum Berger Papers are open to all users. The original manuscript collection is available in the Barrows-Loebelson Reading Room of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.
Property and Literary Rights
Graenum Berger, by the act of donating this collection to the American Jewish Archives, assigned all property rights to the American Jewish Archives. Literary rights are retained by the Graenum Berger's heirs. Literary rights may also be retained by specific creators of some materials.
Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives. For more information see the American Jewish Archives copyright information webpage.
Related Material
Separated Material
The papers of Samuel David Berger were removed to the MS-845: Samuel D. Berger Papers.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the Graenum Berger Papers and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is as follows:
[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-352. Graenum Berger Papers. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Provenance
The Graenum Berger Papers were received from Graenum Berger, New Rochelle, New York, in various segments in 1989 to 1997.
Processing Information
Processed by American Jewish Archives staff. Additional processing by Michelle Wirth Detroit, November, 2011.
This collection was arranged and described according to minimal-processing standards. Funding, in part, for the arrangement and description of this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Box Folder Listing
Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the AJA Online Catalog.