Access and Provenance 

Biographical Sketch 

Scope and Content Note

 Organization

Box and Folder Listing 

 

A Finding Aid to the

Norma U. Levitt Papers

Manuscript Collection No. 720

1945-2005. 10 Linear ft.

ACCESS AND PROVENANCE

The Norma U. Levitt Papers were donated by Norma Levitt of Great Neck, New York, in 2004 and 2005. Some materials were donated by Betty Benjamin, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1992. Property rights to the materials are held by the American Jewish Archives. Literary rights have not been dedicated to the public. Literary rights to materials authored by Ms. Levitt are held by her, others are held by the individial author or his/her heirs. Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the Director of the American Jewish Archives.

 The Norma U. Levitt Papers are open to all users. The original manuscript collection is available in the reading room of the American Jewish Archives.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH top

Norma U. Levitt, a graduate of Wellesley College (1937) and the University of Chicago, has participated in many organizations and projects throughout her life with the goal of working for understanding and cooperation between religions improving the quality of life for women and children.

Levitt is well known for her groundbreaking work as the non-governmental organization (NGO) representative to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on behalf of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. She later became vice-president of the United States’ UNICEF Committee. She continued her work by founding and becoming the co-chair of the National Organizational Advisory Council for Children and also the International Year of the Child in 1979.

At the United Nations, Levitt strove to improve conditions for women and children throughout the world. She was active in the United Nations’ “Decade for Women” (1975-1985), which scheduled conferences to debate women’s rights in Mexico City (1975), Copenhagen (1980), and Nairobi (1985). Contemporary global politics often intruded upon these conferences; resolutions critical of Israel and Zionism were often introduced and approved.

Also important was her work with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), where she served on the Executive Committee and as head of the Metropolitan New York Chapter of the U.S. Organization for UNIFEM. She was also was named chair of the NGO Inter-Generational Committee and Committee on Aging. She participated in the White House Conferences on Aging in 1971 and 1981, and also called attention American Reform Judaism’s relations with elderly Jews.

Levitt worked with many Jewish organizations such as the World Union for Progressive Judaism, where she served as the first woman chair of the Executive Committee. The same was true of her work with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) and the Synagogue Council of America as she was the first woman officer in both organizations. She is an honorary life member of the Board of Governors of HUC-JIR and was on the College-Institute’s Committee on Faculty and Academic Affairs. Levitt was instrumental in the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) and was their president for the Americas. Levitt was a founding officer of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), and was the Vice President of the American Section of the World Jewish Congress and of the Shalom Center.

As the first woman officer of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Levitt focused on the structure of traditional reform synagogue services; for example, she was instrumental in arguing that language not exclusive to women be incorporated into prayers that until then still referred to a non-gendered G-d as “Lord” or “King.” Levitt also worked on interfaith relations with Catholics and other Christian sects. As a member at Academic and Faculty Affairs Committee at HUC-JIR, Levitt worked to support the inclusion of women as both students and faculty members at the College-Institute.

In addition to this work, Levitt was as an active member and President of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS), where she was later named honorary President after her active terms ended. She combined her organizational and leadership skills with her artistic qualities and produced many of the anniversary services for the NFTS. These artistic qualities of Levitt’s are apparent in the work that she produced for Temple Beth El in Great Neck, New York, where she is an honorary member of the board. She composed services, confirmations, installations, and anniversaries for the temple. Levitt remains an honorary member of many of these organizations.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE top

 The Norma U. Levitt papers contain correspondence, publications, reports, programs, organizational records, conference materials and working papers documenting Norma Levitt’s extensive activities in many organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish. The papers reflect her interests in social and economic justice, peace, women’s issues, children’s issues, aging, and environmental concerns.

Included are records documenting her work as both active and honorary president of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (later, Women of Reform Judaism), as the first woman officer of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), and as a member of the Academic and Faculty Affairs Committee at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.

Also of note are records connected with her work in United Nations’ non governmental organizations (NGOs) such as UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women; UNICEF, United Nations Children’s Fund; the Committee on Aging; and the Intergenerational Committee. As President of the Americas for the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), these materials reflect Levitt’s interest in inter-religious dialogue and her work on “Project Green,” the WCRP’s environmental program.

The collection also contains scrapbooks created and organized by Norma Levitt, and prayers and poems authored by her for her synagogue, Temple Beth-El in Great Neck, New York.

ORGANIZATION & ARRANGEMENT top

The papers are divided into six (6) series:

A. ORGANIZATIONS.
B. WOMEN’S RIGHTS.
C. CHILDREN’S RIGHTS.
D. AGING.
E. SCRAPBOOKS.
F. MISCELLANEOUS.

SERIES A. ORGANIZATIONS. The Series consists of 13 Hollinger boxes and is divided into 5 sub-series, each sub-series reflecting Norma Levitt’s work with just one of many different organizations. However, she would occasionally utilize her position in one organization to aid her goals in another, especially if the organizations were closely related in both structure and purpose, so materials from one organization can appear in another organization’s sub-series. For example, NFTS letters can be found in the UAHC sub-series. The sub-series themselves are organized into alphabetical order by topic. The span dates are 1945-2005.

The sub-series are as follows:

  • Sub-series 1: National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS) Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). Boxes 1-5.
  • Sub-series 2: Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC). Boxes 6-7.
  • Sub-series 3: Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). Box 8.
  • Sub-series 4: World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP). Boxes 9-12.
  • Sub-series 5: Miscellaneous Organizations. Box 13.
  • SERIES B: WOMEN’S RIGHTS. This series of three Hollinger boxes relates to Norma Levitt’s work in support of women’s rights. It includes materials on the Copenhagen and Nairobi International Conferences, UNIFEM, the Leadership Conference of National Jewish Women’s Organizations, and other files containing articles from Ms. magazine to efforts related to helping Soviet Jews. The series is organized alphabetically by topic. The span dates are from the early 1970’s through 2003.

    SERIES C: CHILDREN’S RIGHTS. This series consists of three Hollinger boxes, containing materials mostly related to Norma Levitt’s activities for UNICEF and the IYC. The series is organized alphabetically by topic and spans the years 1960-2003.

    SERIES D: AGING. This series consists of three Hollinger boxes, and contains files related to intergenerational activities and other concerns relating to the elderly in the U.S. and the world. The series is organized alphabetically by topic and covers the years 1971-1996.

    SERIES E: SCRAPBOOKS. This series consists of two Hollinger boxes, containing photographs, newspaper articles, invitations, letters, and other items. Most of the items relate to the NFTS and the Jewish Braille Institute, but other organizations such as the UAHC are present as well. The span dates are 1967-1979, though there is one item from 1992. The series is organized by year, though timeframes of some scrapbooks overlap with others.

    SERIES F: MISCELLANEOUS: The series consists of two Hollinger boxes, and contains prayers and poems authored by Norma Levitt, either for use by her synagogue, or for publication in books. The series also contains some autobiographical information and items from the American Jewish Committee. The series is organized alphabetically by topic, and spans between 1953-2003.

    BOX AND FOLDER LISTING top

      Box	Folder		Contents
    SERIES A: ORGANIZATIONS Sub-series 1: National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods – Women of Reform Judaism. 1 1 44th Assembly – 1. 2003. 2 44th Assembly – 2. 2003. 3 50th Anniversary. 1963. 4 60th Anniversary. 1973. 5 70th Anniversary. 1983. 6 75th Anniversary. 1987. 7 90th Anniversary. 2003. 8 Ad Hoc Committee on Women in Reform Judaism. Exclusive Language. 1970-1976. 9 Biennial – 1981. 10 Biennial – 1989. 11 Biennial - 1991. 12 Biennial – 2003. 13 Board of Directors. 1999-2005. 2 1 Board of Directors – “First Ordination.” 2002. 2 Board of Directors – Meeting. 2000. 3 Campaign in Reform. 1972-1979, 1998. 4 Commission on Nomination of Officers. n.d. 5 Constitution. 1993. 6 Constitution and Alumnae. 2001. 7 D’var Torah. May 7th, 1989. 8 Domestic Violence. n.d. 9 Equal Rights Amendment. 1976-1985. 10 Executive Agenda – A Program for Leadership. Development Training for the Women of Reform Judaism. n.d. 11 Executive Agenda. Executive Committee Meeting. January 31st – February 3rd, 2004. 12 Evans, Jane – 1. 1945-1992. 3 1 Evans, Jane – 2. 1992-2002. 2 Evans, Jane – Memorial Speeches. n.d. 3 Installation Services. 1965, 1971, 1988. 4 International Year of the Child. 1979. 5 Kibbutz Yahel. 1976. 6 Leadership Training. 1970, 1988-1989. 7 Logo for WRJ. n.d. 8 Mailings. 1978-1985. 9 Masters Fellow’s Arts Program. 1966-1968. 10 National Federation of Temple Youth – 50th Anniversary. n.d. 11 Organizational Structures. n.d. 12 Past Resolutions. 1946-1981. 13 President’s Message. 1968-1972. 14 Publication Fund. 1980-1985. 15 Publication Fund. 1985-1990’s. 4 1 Schwartz, Ellie. 1973. 2 Sisterhood Sabbaths. 1958, 1990. 3 Siyum Committee – Resolutions for Biennial – 2001. 4 Three Jewish Women Organizations (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox). 1965-1968. 5 United Nations Readings. 1975-1979, 1990-1996. 6 UN Task Force Kits. 1998. 7 UN Task Force Meetings. 1978-1999. 8 UN Task Force Reports. 1975-1982. 9 UN Task Force Reports. 1982-1997. 10 UN Tours and Briefings. 1978, 1983. 11 UNICEF. 1977, 1990. 5 1 Volunteerism. 1975-1979. 2 Women and Trees. 1983. 3 Women’s Commentary. 1966, 1990-1999. 4 Women’s Pleas for Soviet Jews. (See also “Women’s Rights”). 1988-1990. 5 Israel Photographs. n.d. Sub-series 2: Union of American Hebrew Congregations. 6 1 Commission on Religious Living. 1972-1984. 2 Commission on Religious Living. January 17-19, 1988. 3 Commission on Religious Living. January 9-10, 1994. 4 Commission on Religious Living. 2000-2001. 5 Commission on Religious Living – Cassidy, Dick. n.d. 6 Commission on Religious Living – Worship Seminar. November 20-22, 1988. 7 Commission on Worship – Prayer. November 1, 1985. 8 Committee on Older Adults. 1995-1999. 9 Contemporary Issues. 1980-1982, 1996-2000. 10 Eisendrath, Maurice. November 22, 1968. 11 Inclusive Liturgy – Language. n.d. 12 Interreligious – 1. 1973-1985. 13 Interreligious – 2. 1992-1999. 7 1 Interreligious Committee. 1985-1993. 2 “Interreligious Currents.” 1982-1995. 3 Interreligious – Congregations in Dialogue. January 28, 1985. 4 Interreligious – Dialogue on Missionaries and Cults. 1976-1994. 5 Interreligious – Dialogue – Genesis Discussions. 1996-1997. 6 Interreligious – “The Challenge of Shalom for Catholics and Jews.” 1985. 7 Interreligious – Vatican Guidelines. 1975. 8 Organizational – 1. 1981-1997. 9 Organizational – 2. n.d. 10 Schindler, Alex. 2000. 11 United Nations. 1977-1989. Sub-series 3: Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. 8 1 Academic and Faculty Affairs. 1977-1986. 2 Centennial. 1976. 3 Conferring Degrees. 1981-1983. 4 Dean’s Council. 1996. 5 General. 2001-2003. 6 Glueck, Nelson – 70th Birthday. June 2, 1970. 7 Gottschalk, Alfred – Inauguration. February 22, 1972. 8 Minutes and Reports. 1978, 1981, 1990. 9 New York Building. 1979. Sub-Series 4: World Conference on Religion and Peace. 9 1 4th Assembly. 1984. 2 5th Assembly. 1989. 3 6th Assembly. Jan. 28 – Feb. 1, 1994. 4 Bishop’s Economic Pastoral. 1983-1984. 5 Carter, Jimmy. 1989. 6 Commissions on Bosnia and Sierra Leone. 1998. 7 Commission on the Future. 1984. 8 Day of the African Child. June 16, 1992. 9 Executive Committee 1988. Anti-Semitism and Apartheid. 10 Executive Committee - Minutes. June 1-10, 1989. 11 International Newsletter. 1987-1995. 12 Interreligious Consultation – United States–Japan. 1983. 13 Interreligious Consultation – United States-Japan. 1987. 14 Interreligious Service. 1991-1993. 10 1 Interreligious Service – Prayers Authored by Levitt. 2 Iran-Iraq War and Punjab. 1987. 3 Governing Board Meetings. 1982-1987. 4 Jack, Homer. 1991-1993. 5 Pamphlets and Directory. 1973-1995. 6 Paris – Jewish Contacts. 1986. 7 Project Green – Committee Meetings. 1990-1992. 8 Project Green – Criteria – Ecology Concept. 1982-1990. 9 Project Green – Environmental Sabbath. 1989-1991. 10 Project Green – First Mailings. 1990-1991. 11 Project Green – International Projects. 1991-1996. 11 1 Project Green – Reports. 1990-1993. 2 Project Green – Tree Pals. 1991-1992. 3 Project Green – Miscellaneous. 1990-1991. 4 Population and Development. 1994. 5 Recommendation to the WCRP on Human Rights and Responsibility. 1980. 6 Religious Reading Taken to WCRP. n.d. 7 Sabbath Ceremonies and Prayers. 1986-1988. 8 Sri Lanka. 1986-1987. 9 Templeton Award – Dr. Ismail Khan Controversy. 1988. 12 1 UNICEF. 1985. 2 United States Conference of Religion and Peace. 1998-2003. 3 USA-WCRP – Mission Statement. 2000. 4 USA-WCRP – Executive Council. 1999-2001. 5 Vendley, William. 1994-1995. 6 Women’s Program. 2002. 7 World Council of Faiths. 1985-1986. 8 World Parliament of Religions. 1993. 9 Year of Peace and Religion. 1986. 10 Youth. 1991, 1997. Sub-series 5: Miscellaneous Organizations. 13 1 American Jewish World Service. n.d, 1985, 1988. 2 Children of War Tour. 1984, 1986. 3 CIAL – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. 1986-1988. 4 Conflict Resolution Network. 1988. 5 Global Education Association. 1995, 1997. 6 Institute for Multi-track Diplomacy. 2003. 7 National Conference of Christians and Jews. 1993-1995. 8 R’fa-aye-nu Society. 1995-1996. 9 Religion in American Life. n.d, 1988. 10 Religious Leaders Media Project. 1989. 11 The Shalom Center and Shalom Report. 1986-1987, 1990-1992. 12 United Nations Trickle Up Program. 1997, 2000. 13 Whole Earth Papers. 1970’s – 1982. 14 Women of Faith. 1984. 15 Miscellaneous Organizations. 1976-1993. SERIES B: WOMEN’S RIGHTS 14 1 “Anti-Semitism in the Women’s Movement.” Letty Pogrebin and response. 1982. 2 “Breakthrough: Focus on Women.” 1986. 3 Copenhagen Conference. 1980. 4 Copenhagen Conference - Leadership Conference Letters and Visits. 1979-1980. 5 Copenhagen Conference – “Durban Debacle.” 2001. 6 Copenhagen Conference – Preparation and Debriefing. 1980. 7 Copenhagen Conference – Religious Leaders Conference and other Organizations. 1980. 8 Copenhagen Conference – Reports from. 1980. 9 Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). 1980. 10 International Woman’s Year (IWY). 1975. 11 IWY and Zionism. 1975. 12 Jewish Women’s Conference Committee Concerns. 1987, 2002. 13 Leadership Conference of National Jewish Women’s Organizations – 50th Anniversary. 1973-1975. 14 Leadership Conference of National Jewish Women’s Organizations – Concerns for Children. 1974-1976. 15 Leadership Conference of National Jewish Women’s Organizations – Constitution and Installations. 16 Leadership Conference of National Jewish Women’s Organizations – “Decades of Achievement: 1977-1987.” November 19-22, 1987. 17 Leadership Conference of National Jewish Women’s Organizations – Report of Task Force. 1982-1983. 18 Leadership Conference of National Jewish Women’s Organizations – Status of Jewish Women. 1975-1976. 19 Nairobi Conference, 1985 – Documents Before. 1983-1985. 15 1 Nairobi Conference – Forward Looking Strategies – Equity by 2000. 1985. 2 Nairobi Conference – Newspaper Reports. 1985. 3 Nairobi Conference – Papers Authored by Levitt. 1984-1985. 4 Nairobi Conference – Workshop on Child Care. 1985. 5 Paris Conference. July 8-10, 1985. 6 Status of Women in the U.S. 1979-1980, 1988. 7 United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) – International Women’s Day Luncheon. 1991-1992. 8 UNIFEM – International Women’s Day Luncheon. 1993-1994. 9 UNIFEM – International Women’s Day Luncheon. 1995-1998. 10 UNIFEM – Letters to Congress. 1989-1990. 11 UNIFEM – Metropolitan New York Chapter (METRO) – Annual Meetings. 1988, 1992-1994, 1996-1998. 12 UNIFEM – METRO – Bylaws. n.d. 13 UNIFEM – METRO – Flyers for UNIFEM. 1990-1995. 14 UNIFEM – METRO – Membership Lists. 1989. 15 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs. 1991-1992. 16 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs. 1993-1997. 16 1 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs – Academic -“The UN Development Fund and it’s Relevance to the Academic Community.” 1990. 2 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs – Art Benefits. 1989-1990. 3 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs – “Hail to the Chefs” – Gourmet Benefit dinner. “Disturbed” by the “Lesbian Avengers.” April 30th, 1994. 4 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs – “Hungarian Rhapsody.” May 6th, 1993. 5 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs – “Women in Business.” 1989. 6 UNIFEM – METRO – Programs – “Women and the Environment.” 1990-1992. 7 UNIFEM – METRO – Reports to U.S. Committee for UNIFEM. 1984 and 1998 – 1993. 8 UNIFEM – METRO – U.S. Committee for UNIFEM. 2003. 9 UNIFEM – METRO – Welcoming Letter. 1988, n.d. 10 UNIFEM – Miscellaneous Papers. n.d, 1995-1996. 11 UNIFEM – Miscellaneous Publications. 1994-1995, 2001. 12 UNIFEM – Voluntary Fund and Kassebaum Amendment. 1980-1985. 13 UNIFEM – United States Committee for UNIFEM. n.d. 1993-1997, 2000. 14 UNIFEM – United States Committee for UNIFEM – Bylaws. 1999. 15 UNIFEM – United States Committee for UNIFEM - Membership Lists. Spring 1996 – Spring 1997. 16 UNIFEM – World – Formation of National Committees. 1988. 17 Women in the Rabbinate. 1975-1991. 18 Women’s Plea for Soviet Jewry. (See also NFTS, Series A, Sub-series 1.) 1974-1977. SERIES C: CHILDREN’S RIGHTS 17 1 Children and Violent Conflict. n.d, 1995. 2 Immunization – Days of Tranquility. June 28, 1987. 3 International Year of the Child (IYC). 1979. 4 IYC - Newsletter. 1978-1980. 5 IYC - Other Conferences. 1979. 6 IYC - Symposium. February 28, 1979. 7 IYC – Year in Perspective. n.d. 8 Girl Child. 1987-1994. 9 National Advisory Council for Children. 1980-1983. 10 Rights of the Child. 1990-1995. 18 1 Speeches authored by Levitt. 1960, 1978-1979. 2 United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF) – Bearer of Light Award. 1987. 3 UNICEF – Documents. 1986-1994. 4 UNICEF – Girl Child. 1998-2003. 5 UNICEF and Israel – 1. 1976-1980. 6 UNICEF and Israel – 2. 1978-1984, 1988. 7 UNICEF and IYC. 1978-1979. 8 UNICEF – Lebanon and New York Times Advertisement. 1982. 9 UNICEF – Letters to Jewish Organizations. 1976-1979. 10 UNICEF – News of the World’s Children. 1988. 11 UNICEF – Reports authored by Levitt. 1978-1985. 12 UNICEF – State of the World’s Children. 1990. 13 UNICEF – Succoth Folders and Letters. 1975-1976. 14 UNICEF and UNESCO. 1984. 15 UNICEF – USC Clergy – “A Clergy Association for Children.” 1982. 16 UNICEF – United States Committee for UNICEF – History. n.d, 1978. 17 UNICEF – United States Committee for UNICEF – Asian Mission to China and Indonesia. 1980. SERIES D: AGING 19 1 Aging Themes. 1981-1991. 2 “Human Settlement and the Aging.” UN Centre for Human Settlements. 1982. 3 Intergenerational Agencies. 1985-1994. 4 Intergenerational Interviews. 1983. 5 Intergenerational Minutes. 1983-1985 and 1995. 6 Intergenerational Programs. 1983-1996. 7 Intergenerational School Programs. 1979-1985. 8 Intergenerational Tree Planting. 1985. 9 International Day for the Elderly – Commemorations. 1992-1996. 10 Newsage. 1991, 1994-1995. 11 NGO Committee on Aging – Director of Officers. 1995-1996. 20 1 Poverty and the Elderly. 1971-1973. 2 Reflections on Aging. 1983, 1989. 3 Synagogue Council of America and Aging. 1955, 1974-1977. 4 Spiritual. 1980-1982. 5 Vienna International Plan of Action on the Aging. 1982. 6 White House Conferences on Aging. 1971 and 1981 – 1. 7 White House Conferences on Aging. 1971 and 1981 – 2. 8 “Who is Responsible for my Old Age.” Symposium. November 29-30, 1988. 21 1 World Assembly on Aging. July-August, 1982. 2 World Assembly on Aging – 10th Anniversary. October 2,1992. 3 Youseff, Nadia. June 2, 1994. 4 Miscellaneous. 1984, 1987, 1990-1992, 1996. SERIES E: SCRAPBOOKS 22 1 Scrapbook. 1967-1968. 2 Scrapbook. 1969. 3 Scrapbook. 1969-1970. 4 Scrapbook. 1970-1971. 5 Scrapbook. 1971. 6 Scrapbook. 1971-1972. 23 1 Scrapbook. 1973-1979. 2 Scrapbook. 1974-1975 – 1. 3 Scrapbook. 1974-1975, 1977, 1992. – 2. 4 Scrapbook – Jewish Braille Institute and NFTS. 1972-1976. SERIES F: MISCELLANEOUS 24 1 American Jewish Archives – Autobiographical Questionnaire. 1975 2 American Jewish Archives – Autobiographical Questionnaire. 1992 3 American Jewish Committee – Interreligious Affairs Commission. 1980-1994. 4 American Jewish Committee Resource Kit – Vatican Council II: Catholic-Jewish Relations. 1965-1985. 5 Book – A Gift of Prayer. 2001. 6 Book – Covenant of the Heart. 1993. 7 Book – Covenant of the Soul. 2000. 8 Book – Painted Prayers. 2002. 9 Book – The Mitzvah of Healing. 2003. 10 Covenant with the Lord – Play. 1951. 11 Church Women. 1974-1975. 25 1 Poetry. n.d, 1971, 1975-1977. 2 Study Group. n.d. 3 Temple Beth-El. 1953, 1956, 1970-1971, 1978. 4 Temple Beth-El – Confirmation Services. n.d,1958, 1962, 1963. 5 Women’s Interreligious Study Tour of the Middle East. 1976. 6 Miscellaneous. n.d, 1957, 1975-1976, 1979, 1994.
    top
     
    Copyright © 2005 The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives