Access and Provenance Biographical Sketch Scope and Content Note Box and Folder Listing

A Finding Aid to the Roy A. Rosenberg Papers  Manuscript Collection No. 735 1948-2000. 6.0 Linear ft.

ACCESS AND PROVENANCE

The Roy A. Rosenberg Papers were donated to the American Jewish Archives by Dr. Ruth Rosenberg in March of 2003. Property rights are assigned to the American Jewish Archives. All literary rights to material authored by Roy Rosenberg are held by the Rosenberg heirs. All literary rights to materials authored by others are retained by the individuals and their heirs. Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives. The papers are available to researchers in the reading room of the Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH top

Roy A. Rosenberg was born in 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 with a degree in Anthropology. In 1955 he was ordained by Hebrew Union College and also became the full time rabbi at Temple Emanu El in Rochester, New York where he had done his student pulpit work. In 1956 Rosenberg left Rochester to become a chaplain for the U.S. Army. He remained in the army both in Arizona and in Verdun, France for two years.

In 1958 Rosenberg became the rabbi at Temple Emanu El in Honolulu, Hawaii. Rosenberg was very active in the local Jewish community during his eight years in Honolulu. In addition to his duties at the temple he was the President of the B’nai B’rith lodge, secretary of the Hawaii Jewish Welfare Fund, President of the Volunteer Service Bureau and founder and chair of the Interfaith seminar program. Rosenberg was also on the Mayor’s Committee for Ethics in Government and an active member of the Waikiki Rotary Club. In 1966 Rosenberg moved to New Orleans and in 1967 became the Head Rabbi of Temple Sinai. He stayed there for a few years.

In 1974 Rosenberg formed the Temple of Universal Judaism, Congregation Daat Elohim in New York City. This congregation was formed to include people historically excluded from congregations. This includes intermarried couples, Jews by choice, non-Jews and people of all sexual orientations and backgrounds. This congregation was more in line with Rosenberg’s open-minded concepts of religion and intellectual curiosity. Although always within Reform boundaries, Rosenberg urged his congregants and colleagues to think more broadly about topics than they might have in the past. He stayed there until his retirement in 1997.

Rosenberg was also a prolific writer and researcher. Some of his best known works are The Concise Guide to Judaism (1990), Everything you Need to Know About Jews and Their History (1997), Happily Intermarried (1997), and Who was Jesus? (1986) among many others.

Rosenberg died in 2001. He was married to Dr. Ruth Rosenberg with whom he and three daughters and two sons.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE top

The Roy Rosenberg Papers contain the correspondence, sermons, and writings of Roy Rosenberg, who was a rabbi in Rochester, New Orleans, Honolulu and eventually the Temple of Universal Judaism in New York City. Included are the outlines and transcripts of sermons that Rosenberg gave throughout his career as well as many articles that he wrote.

The Rosenberg papers are divided into four series as follows:

A. CORRESPONDENCE
B. SUBJECT FILES
C. WRITINGS
D. SERMONS
E. AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIAL

Series A contains mainly correspondence regarding Rosenberg’s congregations and research that he was working on. Most interesting in the series are the documents regarding the foundation of Congregation Daat Elohim Temple of Universal Judaism. Rosenberg was the founder of this new kind of congregation which focused more on inclusion than exclusion by inviting intermarried couples to join. The material on Temple Sinai in New Orleans is also an interesting look at a tumultuous yet productive and fulfilling time in Rosenberg’s life.

The Subject Files contain the many topics that interested Rosenberg throughout his life. His interest in the many cultures and religions of the world is evidenced by the subject headings. These files contain his notes on the topics and were often later turned into articles, books, sermons and speeches. Series C and D contain the fulfillment of much of his research. The sermons are either in the form of an outline or written out.

The final series, Series E contains tapes and recordings of Rosenberg as well as some of his Rotary Club memorabilia.

BOX AND FOLDER LISTING top

Box	File	Contents


SERIES A: CORRESPONDENCE

1	1	Army chaplaincy. 1956-1958.
	2	Correspondence. 1969-1980.
	3	Correspondence. 1990s.
	4	Cronbach, Abraham. 1962, 1965.
	5	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Constitution. Articles of Incorporation, minutes. 
	6	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Governing Board minutes and intermarriage. 
	7	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Membership.
	8	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Membership.
	1	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Minutes. 1978-1997.
	2	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Miscellaneous.
	3	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Opening. Responses. 1975-1979.
	4	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Retirement. 1991, 1996-1997.
	5	Congregation Daat Elohim. Temple of Universal Judaism. New York, NY. Weddings.
	6	Congregation Emanu El. Honolulu, HI. 1961-1965.
	7	Congregation Emanu El. Honolulu, HI. Ethics on government. 1965.
	8	Temple Emanu-El. Irondequoit, NY. Student pulpit. 1956.
	9	Temple Emanu El. Irondequoit, NY. 1953-1955.
	10	Temple Emanu El. Irondequoit, NY. 1956.

3	1	Temple Sinai. New Orleans, LA. 1965-1972.
	2	Temple Sinai. New Orleans, LA. 1966-1972.
	3	Temple Sinai. New Orleans, LA. 1968-1970.
	4	Temple Sinai. New Orleans, LA. n.d.
	5	Temple Sinai. New Orleans, LA. Information about.
	6	Temple Sinai. New Orleans, LA. Intermarriage. 1973.
	7	Rabbinical correspondence. 1974-1975.
	8	Responses to books. 1990-2000.
	9	Susskind, David. April 1973.
	10	Weddings.
	11	Weddings and conversions.


SERIES B. SUBJECT FILES

4	1	Abraham and the Promised Land.
	2	Academic records.
	3	Affluent society.
	4	Algeria, Argentina, England.
	5	Aliyah: the Peoples of Israel.
	6	Amalek.
	7	Animals, kindness to.
	8	Anti-communism.
	9	Anthropology.
	10	Arizona.
	11	Art.
	12	Asch, Sholem.
	13	Astrology.
	14	Atheism.
	15	Authorship of the Bible.
	16	Awards.
	17	Baby blessings.
	18	Balak-Balaam.
	19	Benedictions.
	20	Bible.
	21	Biblical instruments.
	22	Biography.
	23	Black Muslims and Black Jews.
	24	Blessings at meal times.
	25	Boy Scouts.
	26	Buber, Martin. 
	27	Business.
	28	Calendar. Jewish.
	29	Censorship in a Free Society.
	30	Change in Human Nature.

5	1	Children and youth.
	2	Chinese philosophy.
	3	Christian religions.
	4	Christmas season.
	5	Cities of refuge.
	6	Civil War centennial.
	7	Civil rights.
	8	College courses.
	9	Concentration camps.
	10	Contemporary Jewish problems.
	11	Courage and character guidance.
	12	Crossroads.
	13	Crime in the streets.
	14	Creation.
	15	Education. Religious schools.
	16	Eichmann trial.
	17	Elijah.
	18	The Enemy Camp. Weidman.
	19	Ethics in modern society.
	20	Eulogies.
	21	Evolution of God idea.
	22	Existence of God.
	23	Exams.
	24	Exodus
	25	Falashas.
	26	False prophets.
	27	Family unity.
	28	Farewell to Schwarz.
	29	The Fixer. Malamud.
	30	Fundamentals of Judaism.
	31	God’s covenant with man.
	32	God’s law.
	33	Golden calf.
	34	Graduation address. Hawaii. 1965.
	35	Graham crusades.
	36	Gratitude.

6	1	Haazinu.
	2	Hanukah.
	3	Hawaii Jewish community.
	4	Hawaii. Miscellaneous.
	5	Hebrew Union College notes. 
	6	Hecht. A Child of the Century. 
	7	Herzl, Theodore.
	8	Herzog.
	9	History.
	10	Human relations material.
	11	Humility. Nadab and Abihu.
	12	Idolatry.

7	1	Indian philosophy.
	2	Intermarriage.
	3	Iranian influence.
	4	Intellectuals and Judaism.
	5	Israel crisis. 1967-1968.
	6	Israel trips. 1957, 1966, 1968.
	7	Jacob and Esau.
	8	Jacob’s Ladder.
	9	Jewish basis of Christian thought.
	10	Jewish community centers.
	11	Jewish contributions.
	12	Jewish exclusionism.
	13	Jewish voting pattern.
	14	Joseph.
	15	Judaism and Christianity.
	16	Justice.
	17	Justice and mercy of God.
	18	Korah’s rebellion.
	19	Labor mediation. Hawaii.
	20	Labor relations.
	21	Ladejinsky case. 1954.
	22	Last of the Just.
	23	Law and order.

8	1	“Let this cup pass from me.”
	2	Leviticus.
	3	Life-cycle situations.
	4	Light and darkness.
	5	The Lotus and the Robot. Koestler.	
	6	Love.
	7	Marjorie Morningstar. Wouk.
	8	Maya.
	9	Messiah.
	10	Mispatrin.
	11	Mission of the Jewish people.
	12	Morality.
	13	Mourning and burial customs.
	14	Mysticism.
	15	Names of God.
	16	A Nation of Sheep. Ledeier.
	17	Nature and Destiny of Man. Niebuhr.
	18	National Security seminar.
	19	Nazi Party, America.
	20	Nazerite. Asceticism.
	21	New Year thoughts.
	22	Noah.
	23	Non-conformist behavior.
	24	Numbers.
	25	Oriental languages.
	26	Passover.
	27	Patriarchy in Philo.
	28	Peace.
	29	Personal. Photos.
	30	Philosophy.
	31	Pirke Avoth and Pirke Noar.
	32	Pharisees and Sadducees.
	33	Politics in religion.
	34	Post-war Germany.
	35	Prayer.
	36	The problem and the answer in Job.
	37	Prophecy.
	38	Public school and religion.
	39	Purim and Good Friday.
	40	Purpose of religion.
	41	Racial prejudice.
	42	Redemption.
	43	Reform code of practice.
	44	Reform Judaism.

9	1	Religion in the space age.
	2	Religious equality.
	3	Religious convictions and identity.
	4	Remington case.
	5	Review of The Rabbi by Noah Cordon.
	6	Revival of religion.
	7	Reward and punishment. Job.
	8	Rights of Women.
	9	Role of religious leaders.
	10	The Rothschilds.
	11	Sifradi Seni’uta. Book of Concealment.
	12	Sifradi Seni’uta. Book of Concealment. Publication.
	13	Seven marks of the clod.
	14	Speaking.
	15	Talmud and Rabbinics.
	
SERIES C. WRITING
	
	16	Articles regarding Rosenberg.
	17	“The Canaanite Cult of Jerusalem” “Judaism and Christianity”.	
	18	“The Disciples and Tribes of Israel”.
	19	“The Holy Assembly and the Lesser Holy Assembly of the Zohar”.
	
10	1	“Gods, Priests and Kings in Ancient Israel”.
	2	Historical biographies.
	3	“Mendelssohn”.
	4	“Law and Morality”.
	5	Letters to the editor. 1998.
	6	“The Jewish Idea and the Existentialism of Today”.
	7	Publications.
	8	Publications and conference papers.
	9	School writings.
	10	Theology papers.
	11	“Traces of the Near Eastern Cults of the Moon and the Planet Saturn in the Bible and Rabbinic Literature.”
	12	University of Maryland. English Papers. 

11	1	University of Maryland. 1946.
	2	University of Maryland papers.
	3	Writings, miscellaneous.
	4	Philosophy and Theology.
	5	Prize essays.
	6	Publication of thesis.

SERIES D. SERMONS

	7	“American Jewish history.”
	8	“Anti-Defamation League. 1959-1961.”
	9	“The Case against Congress.”
	10	“Ceremonies.”
	11	“Chapel sermons. Hebrew Union College.”
	12	“China.”
	13	“Clothing.”
	14	“Confessions of Nat Turner. Styron.”
	15	“Confirmation services.”
	16	“Confucius.”

12	1	“The Covenant and Nature of Man in Judaism”.
	2	“Daughters of Zelophchad”.
	3	“Development Fund for American Judaism”.
	4	“Development of the Jewish Faith”.
	5	“Dr. Zhivago. Pasternak”.
	6	“Dreams”.
	7	“Fortas, Abe”.
	8	“Greatest Jewish Books”.
	9	“Heaven Help Us”.
	10	High Holy Days. Cairo, Verdun. 1952, 1957.
	11	High Holy Days. 1966-1969, 1972-1974.
	12	High Holy Days. 1973-1978.
	13	High Holy Days. 1974.
	14	High Holy Days. 1982-1984.
	15	High Holy Days. n.d.
	16	High Holy Days. Hawaii.
	17	“Hinduism”.
	18	“How Jewish are New Orleans Jews?”.
	19	“In the Days of Simon Stern”.
	20	“Incident in Beirut”.
	21	Installation and Farewell. 1966, 1967, 1970.
	22	“International Relations and Judaism.”
	23	“Islam”.
	24	“Israel survey”.
	25	“Jesus, Isaac and the Suffering Servant”.
	26	“Jews, God and History”.
	27	Kennedy Memorial. 25 Nov 1963.
	28	“Kissinger”.
	29	“Last Exit to Brooklyn”.
	30	“Mardi Gras and Jewish Question”.
	31	“Marriage”.
	32	“May you Gladden the Beloved Friends as you did in Paradise”.
	
13	1	Memorial service sermons.
	2	Message of Israel sermons. 1960, 1980.
	3	“The Messiah in Judaism”.
	4	“The Moon”.
	5	“On the Problem of Time”.
	6	“Our Crowd”.
	7	“Palestine and the PLO”.
	8	“Parochial schools.”
	9	“Pediatric and Cardiac Judaism.”
	10	“Police Brutality.”
	11	“Repentance.”
	12	“Sabbath of Comfort”.
	13	“Sabbatical year”.
	14	“Sachs, Nelly.”
	15	“Sacrificial system”.
	16	“Satan”.
	17	“Second Isaiah.”
	18	“The Secular City”.
	19	Sermons. 1981-1983.
	20	Sermons. 1987-1990.
	21	“Seven Benedictions: The Jewish Wedding”.
	22	“Sex”.
	23	“Shabbot Haggodol”.
	24	“A Sign upon my Hand”.
	25	“Singer, I.B. : Magician of Lublin”.
	26	“Sisterhood”.
	27	“Slavery (Jewish)”.
	28	“Social Legislation”.
	29	“Something for Nothing”.
	30	“Sounds of Silence”.
	31	“Soviet Jewry”.
	32	“Space Flight.”
	33	“Spies (Shelach Lecha)”.
	34	“Spies and Revolution.”
	35	“Spinoza.”
	36	“Status Seekers”.
	37	“Succot”.
	38	“Tabernacle (Dwelling of God)”.
	39	“Ten Commandments”.
	40	“Thanksgiving”.
	41	“Thirteen Attributes”.
	42	“This is my god”.
	43	“Theology of the Holocaust”.
	44	“Tisha B’Av”.
	45	Touro memorial lecture.
	46	“Toynbee and Judaism”.
	47	“Verdun”.
	48	“The Watchers”.
	49	“What is in it for me?”.
	50	“What is the Way that a Man Should Choose?”.		
	51	“What Jerusalem is”.
	52	“What Makes a Jew Believe?”.
	53	“Weiner, H. Wild Goats of Ein Gad”.
	54	“While Six Million Died”.
	55	“Women.”
	56	“Year 2000".
	57	“Youth in Revolt.”
	58	“Zionism”.

SERIES E. AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIAL

13		Miscellaneous.

14		Miscellaneous.

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Copyright © 2006 Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives