Alexander Moshe Schindler was born in 1925, in Munich, the son of Eliezer and Sali
(Hoyda)
Schindler. His family left Germany in 1932 to escape the Nazis and after brief stays
in
Italy and France, settled in the United States. Schindler attended the City College
of New
York but left school to fight in World War II. While in the service Schindler received
the
Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
After the war Schindler returned to school and eventually studied for the rabbinate
at
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he was ordained in 1953.
Following
ordination Schindler served at Temple Emanuel in Worcester, Massachusetts while also
heading
the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation at Clark University in Worcester -- as well as
serving at
the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
From 1963-1967 Schindler served as director of education of the Commission of Jewish
Education of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the Central Conference
of
American Rabbis. In 1967 he was appointed vice-president of the UAHC and in June 1972 was selected
to succeed Maurice N. Eisendrath as president. Schindler was inducted as president
of the
UAHC on November 12, 1973,
remaining in this position until his retirement in 1996.
As president of the UAHC
Schindler quickly became a leading voice in American Jewish life. He worked tirelessly
advocating social justice, human rights, and liberal causes in both the Jewish and
secular
communities. A lifelong Zionist, Schindler worked closely with religious and political
leaders as well as with members of the Israeli government on issues of peace, security,
and
Jewish rights in Israel and throughout the world.
Schindler served on numerous boards and committees throughout his career. From 1976-1978
Schindler served as chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organizations, the first Reform Jewish leader to be elected to this position. In 1950
Schindler authored From Discrimination to Extermination, which examined anti-Jewish policies of the Nazi regime from 1933-1945. He was
literary editor of The CCAR Journal and was also founding editor of Dimensions, a quarterly journal of Jewish thought.
In 1956 Schindler married Rhea Rosenblum. They had five children. Alexander M. Schindler
died on November 15, 2000 at the age of 75.
Alexander M. Schindler, throughout his life and career, was a leading voice in the
issues
and concerns of his time. A classic liberal, Schindler advocated for both Jewish and
secular
causes -- ranging from Israel, to the environment, gender and equality issues, civil
rights,
interfaith dialogue, gay rights, the peace movement, Soviet Jewry, and many others.
As a result of his advocacy and concern, this collection, while documenting the life
and
activities of Alexander M. Schindler, also contains contemporary perspective on many,
if not
most, of the key social and cultural issues facing American Jewry and American society
from
the 1960s to the 1990s.
The collection also reflects the organization and functioning of American Jewish life
during this time, particularly relating to the American Reform Jewish movement and
its
institutions -- namely, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations -- as well as the
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
The collection is open for use; no restrictions apply.
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.
Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the Alexander Moshe Schindler
Papers
and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is
as
follows:
[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-630. Alexander Moshe Schindler Papers.
American
Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Alexander Moshe Schindler Papers were received from the Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, New York, New York, in 1998.
Processed by Kevin Proffitt, March 1999.
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| Series A. Union of American Hebrew Congregations 1961-1996 |
|
Series A. comprises the bulk of the collection, consisting of 19 Hollinger boxes.
This
series contains files pertaining to persons, issues, and organizations that Schindler
and the UAHC dealt with
during his presidency. Also included in this series are files pertaining to internal
and
organizational functions of the UAHC. A few materials in this series pre-date Schindler's term as president,
going back to the tenure of Maurice N. Eisendrath.
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The series is arranged alphabetically by subject, organization, or correspondent. |
| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
1 |
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome [AIDS] 1988-1994 |
| 1 |
2 |
American Conference of Cantors 1964-1995 |
| 1 |
3 |
American Israel Public Affairs Committee 1981-1991 |
| 1 |
4 |
American Jewish Archives Marcus, Jacob R. 1986-1994 |
| 1 |
5 |
American Jewish Committee 1978-1992 |
| 1 |
6 |
American Jewish Congress 1984-1990 |
| 1 |
7 |
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee 1990-1994 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
1 |
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee 1995-1996 |
| 2 |
2 |
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee [ International
Development Program ] 1989-1990
|
| 2 |
3 |
American Zionist Movement 1990-1995 |
| 2 |
4 |
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith 1983-1994 |
| 2 |
5 |
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith [ Jewish Foundation for
Christian Rescuers ] 1990-1995
|
| 2 |
6 |
Apartheid 1985-1990 |
| 2 |
7 |
Armenia Genocide 1989-1990 |
| 2 |
8 |
Bitburg cemetery Reagan, Ronald 1985 |
| 2 |
9 |
Black-Jewish relations 1979-1988 |
| 2 |
10 |
Camps [Misc.] 1982-1992 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
1 |
Center for Foreign Policy Development 1986 |
| 3 |
2 |
Center for Learning and Leadership 1988-1989 |
| 3 |
3 |
Civil rights [March on Washington] 1983 |
| 3 |
4 |
Claims conference 1995 |
| 3 |
5 |
Clergy and Laity Concerned 1985 |
| 3 |
6 |
Clinton, Bill 1993-1995 |
| 3 |
7 |
Communal schools 1967-1976 |
| 3 |
8 |
Communications Committee 1985-1993 |
| 3 |
9 |
Council of Jewish Federations 1983;
1992
|
| 3 |
10 |
Council of Jewish Federations [ Synagogue Federations
] 1985-1995
|
| 3 |
11 |
Cults, Committee on 1983-1993 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
1 |
Day schools 1963-1976 |
| 4 |
2 |
Disabled, Committee on 1982-1988 |
| 4 |
3 |
Drug and alcohol abuse, Committee on 1990-1993 |
| 4 |
4 |
East German mission 1989 |
| 4 |
5 |
East-West accord 1984 |
| 4 |
6 |
Environment 1992-1994 |
| 4 |
7 |
Ethics Committee 1988 |
| 4 |
8-9 |
Gay rights 1973-1998 (2 folders) |
| 4 |
10 |
Gay rights Boy Scouts of America 1992-1994 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
1 |
Gerontology 1973-1995 |
| 5 |
2 |
Global Forum 1995-1996 |
| 5 |
3 |
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Gottschalk, Alfred 1972-1993 |
| 5 |
4 |
Holocaust 1981-1994 |
| 5 |
5 |
Humanistic Judaism 1990-1994 |
| 5 |
6 |
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War 1988 |
| 5 |
7 |
Interreligious Presidents Advisory Committee on Interreligious
Affairs 1986-1995
|
| 5 |
8 |
Israel 1992-1995 |
| 5 |
9-10 |
Israel Camp [Budget and enrollment] 1966-1983 (2 folders) |
| Box |
Folder |
| 6 |
1-3 |
Israel Camp [Program, publicity, staff, misc.] 1965-1989 (3 folders) |
| 6 |
4 |
Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism 1988-1990 |
| 6 |
5 |
Jewish Corps of Service 1986-1992 |
| 6 |
6 |
Jewish Education Committee 1989-1991 |
| 6 |
7 |
Jewish Labor Committee 1995 |
| 6 |
8 |
Jewish National Fund 1981-1996 |
| 6 |
9 |
Long Range Planning Committee 1985-1988 |
| 6 |
10 |
Management Committee 1985-1994 |
| 6 |
11-12 |
Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture 1988-1994 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 7 |
1 |
Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture [ Committee on the
Holocaust ] 1975-1978
|
| 7 |
2 |
Memorial resolutions undated |
| 7 |
3 |
Message of Israel 1967-1973 |
| 7 |
4 |
Moral Majority/Radical right 1980-1994 |
| 7 |
5 |
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience 1986-1995 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 8 |
1 |
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 1985-1992 |
| 8 |
2 |
National Conference on Soviet Jewry 1975-1976 |
| 8 |
3 |
National Council of the Churches of Christ 1981-1993 |
| 8 |
4 |
National Association of Temple Administrators 1966-1992 |
| 8 |
5 |
National Association of Temple Educators 1979-1995 |
| 8 |
6-7 |
National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods 1977-1995 (2 folders) |
| 8 |
8 |
National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods Women of Reform Judaism 1975-1980 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 9 |
1 |
National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods Women of Reform Judaism 1981-1995 |
| 9 |
2 |
National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council 1981-1995 |
| 9 |
3 |
National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council[Financial]
1962-1991
|
| 9 |
4 |
National Jewish Welfare Board 1964 |
| 9 |
5 |
National Political Action Committee 1983-1984 |
| 9 |
6 |
Nazis in the United States 1982-1987 |
| 9 |
7 |
New York Board of Rabbis 1961-1978 |
| 9 |
8 |
North American Commission on Jewish Identity and Continuity 1994-1995 |
| 9 |
9 |
North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry 1980-1989 |
| 9 |
10 |
Nuclear arms freeze 1982-1988 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 10 |
1-3 |
Outreach 1980-1996 (3 folders) |
| 10 |
4 |
Outreach [Canadian council] 1979-1990 |
| 10 |
5 |
Outreach [Children] 1982-1985 |
| 10 |
6 |
Outreach [Commission] 1980-1992 |
| 10 |
7 |
Outreach [Detroit/Northeast Lakes] 1979-1981 |
| 10 |
8 |
Outreach [Facilitators/Special meetings] 1979-1983 |
| 10 |
9 |
Outreach [Foreign countries] 1979-1985 |
| 10 |
10 |
Outreach [Great Lakes/Chicago] 1979-1991 |
| 10 |
11 |
Outreach [Intermarriage] 1985-1994 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 11 |
1 |
Outreach [Mid-Atlantic council] 1979-1990 |
| 11 |
2 |
Outreach [Midwest council] 1979-1993 |
| 11 |
3 |
Outreach [Missionizing] 1993-1994 |
| 11 |
4 |
Outreach [New Jersey/Hudson Valley] 1979-1989 |
| 11 |
5 |
Outreach [New York Federation] 1979-1994 |
| 11 |
6 |
Outreach [Northeast council] 1979-1990 |
| 11 |
7 |
Outreach [Northern California/Pacific Northwest] 1979-1990 |
| 11 |
8 |
Outreach [Pacific Southwest] 1979-1993 |
| 11 |
9 |
Outreach [Philadelphia/Pennsylvania Federation] 1979-1990 |
| 11 |
10 |
Outreach [Policy] 1993 |
| 11 |
11 |
Outreach [Response] 1978-1989 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 12 |
1 |
Outreach [Southeast/South Florida] 1979-1983 |
| 12 |
2 |
Outreach [Southwest council] 1979-1986 |
| 12 |
3 |
Parkes Library 1963-1964 |
| 12 |
4 |
Patrilineal Committee 1982-1994 |
| 12 |
5 |
Polish project [Art and artifacts] 1982-1983 |
| 12 |
6 |
Pollard, Jonathan 1990-1994 |
| 12 |
7 |
Project Nishma 1988-1989 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 13 |
1 |
Rabbinical Pension Board 1990-1996 |
| 13 |
2 |
Reform communities in Israel 1984-1995 |
| 13 |
3 |
Reform/Conservative/Orthodox 1985-1992 |
| 13 |
4 |
Religion in American life 1974-1990 |
| 13 |
5 |
Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights 1981-1990 |
| 13 |
6 |
Research Task Force 1979-1988 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 14 |
1 |
Shalom Center 1986-1991 |
| 14 |
2-3 |
Soviet Jewry 1978-1994 (2 folders) |
| 14 |
4 |
Soviet Union [Judaica Library] 1984-1988 |
| 14 |
5 |
Synagogue Council of America 1964-1995 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 15 |
1 |
Task Force on Religious Commitment 1983-1986 |
| 15 |
2 |
Task Force on the Unaffiliated 1989-1993 |
| 15 |
3 |
Task Force on Youth Suicide Yad Tikvah 1984-1995 |
| 15 |
4 |
Terrorism 1986 |
| 15 |
5 |
Transcontinental music 1976-1994 |
| 15 |
6 |
United Israel Appeal 1979-1994 |
| 15 |
7 |
United Jewish Appeal 1983-1996 |
| 15 |
8 |
United Nations Association of the United States of America 1977-1980 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 16 |
1-3 |
United Nations Association of the United States of America 1983-1993 (3 folders) |
| 16 |
4 |
United States Interreligious Committee for Peace 1974 |
| 16 |
5 |
Vatican Judaica art exhibit 1987 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 17 |
1 |
Waldheim, Kurt [Subject] 1986 |
| 17 |
2 |
Wallenberg, Raoul - International Society 1991 |
| 17 |
3 |
Warsaw Ghetto Resistance Organization 1976-1993 |
| 17 |
4 |
World Conference on Religion and Peace 1984-1995 |
| 17 |
5 |
World Federation of Polish Jews 1976-1988 |
| 17 |
6 |
World Jewish Congress 1971-1996 |
| 17 |
7-9 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism 1974-1990 (3 folders) |
| Box |
Folder |
| 18 |
1 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism 1991-1996 |
| 18 |
2 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism Friedman, Herbert 1973-1976 |
| 18 |
3 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism Israel 1967-1982 |
| 18 |
4 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism [ Jerusalem Center
] 1973-1977
|
| 18 |
5 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism [ Jerusalem Center ]
- Foundations 1971-1975
|
| Box |
Folder |
| 19 |
1 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism [ Jerusalem Center ]
- Joint Building Committee 1972-1982
|
| 19 |
2 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism [ Jerusalem Center
] - Safdie, Moshe 1973-1974
|
| 19 |
3 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism - Rights in
Israel 1963-1971
|
| 19 |
4 |
World Union for Progressive Judaism [ Youth Hostel
] 1981-1982
|
| 19 |
5 |
World Zionist Organization 1984-1991 |
| 19 |
6 |
Zionist Organization of America 1974-1995 |
| 19 |
7-8 |
Miscellaneous organizations [Correspondence] 1981-1996 |
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the
AJA's online catalog.
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organizations
