TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Finding Aid to the Sigmund S. Hecht Papers. 1877-1919.
Manuscript Collection No. 700
Introduction |
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| Repository: | The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives |
| Creator: | Hecht, Sigmund S., 1849-1925. |
| Title: | Sigmund S. Hecht Papers. |
| Dates: | 1877-1919 |
| Quantity: | 0.4 linear feet (1 Hollinger box) |
| Abstract: | The Sigmund S. Hecht papers consist entirely of sermons. Most of the sermons are handwritten though a few are typescript. The sermons were written for a variety of occasions though most were delivered for the Sabbath or the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). |
| Collection Number: | MS-700 |
| Language: | Collection material in English and German. |
Biographical Sketch
Sigmund S. Hecht was born on August 1, 1849 in Hlinik, Hungary, the son of Moritz Hecht. Educated privately by his father at Zsolna, Hungary, Hecht also attended the high school, seminary and university at Vienna. Hecht's rabbinical diploma was granted by the rabbi of Bistrizt, Hungary. Hecht later received additional instruction in New York and was awarded a D.D. in 1886 from the University of Alabama.
Hecht was rabbi at Montgomery, Alabama from 1876-1888 and at Temple Emanu-El (Milwaukee, Wis.) from 1888-1899. Hecht then moved west where he became rabbi at Congregation B'nai B'rith (Los Angeles, Calif.), the forerunner of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Hecht remained in Los Angeles until his retirement in 1919, when he became rabbi emeritus. Hecht's successor at Congregation B'nai B'rith was Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin, who had served as Hecht's assistant since 1916.
Sigmund S. Hecht died on June 27, 1925 at the age of 76.
Note: This sketch relied heavily on an entry for Sigmund Hecht in the American Jewish Year Book (5) 1903-1904, p. 62.
Scope and Content Note
The Sigmund S. Hecht papers consist entirely of sermons written by Rabbi Sigmund S. Hecht (1849-1925). The span dates for the collection are 1877-1919. The sermons were written for a variety of occasions, though most are for the High Holidays and the Sabbath. The collection also includes Hecht's farewell sermon delivered in 1919 (1/4).
The collection was donated by the Wilshire Boulevard Temple of Los Angeles, arriving together with papers of Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin. Magnin served as Hecht's assistant at Congregation B'nai B'rith for three years then succeeded him at the congregation, remaining there for over 60 years. Most of Hecht's sermons are handwritten, though a few are typed. The majority of the sermons are in English though there are eight sermons, covering the years 1877-1884, that are in German. All of the sermons were numbered, dated, and titled by Hecht.
When the collection arrived at the AJA there was no discernible arrangement to the sermons. As a result, it was decided to file the sermons in alphabetical order by title. The Appendix at the end of this inventory contains a full alphabetical listing, by title, of all the English language sermons. The Appendix also notes the holiday or occasion for the sermon, as provided by Hecht. The German language sermons are kept together in a separate file (1/5). There is no listing of the German language sermon titles.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged into a single 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
Provenance
The Sigmund S. Hecht papers were donated by the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles, Calif., and their administrator, Stephen E. Breuer, in 2003.
Processing Information
Processed by Kevin Proffitt, September 2003.
Box and Folder Listing
| Series A. Sermons, 1877-1919 | |||||||||||
| The sermons are arranged alphabetically by title. One folder of German language sermons, arranged chronologically, is filed at the end of the collection. An alphabetical listing of sermons is available. | |||||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Sermons, A-E | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Sermons, F-K | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Sermons, L-R | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Sermons, S-W | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Sermons (German) 1877-1884 | |||||||||
Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the AJA's online catalog.