TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Finding Aid to the Samuel H. Goldenson Papers. 1918-1947.
Manuscript Collection No. 81
Introduction |
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| Repository: | The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives |
| Creator: | Goldenson, Samuel Harry, 1878-1962. |
| Title: | Samuel H. Goldenson Papers. |
| Dates: | 1918-1947 |
| Quantity: | 2.0 linear feet (5 Hollinger boxes) |
| Abstract: | Papers consist primarily of sermons, but also include radio addresses, monographs, prayers, eulogies, and invocations. Goldenson was a well-known Reform rabbi who served congregations in Pittsburgh, Pa. and New York, N.Y. |
| Collection Number: | MS-81 |
| Language: | Collection material in English. |
Biographical Sketch
Samuel Harry Goldenson was born in Kalvaria, Poland on March 26, 1878. He was brought to the United States by his parents in 1890. He married Claudia V. Myar and had three children - Evelyn Beatrice (Mrs. Naaman Glick), Robert Myar, and William Lee. He received the rabbinical degree from the Hebrew Union College and his A.B. degree from the University of Cincinnati, both in 1904; he later received from Columbia University the degrees of A.M. (1914) and Ph.D. (1917). In 1925 the Hebrew Union College bestowed on him the honorary degree of D.H.L. for "deepening the philosophic content of Judaism."
Goldenson was rabbi of Congregation Adath Israel, Lexington, Kentucky (1904-06), and of Congregation Beth Emeth, Albany, New York (1906-18). In 1918 Goldenson moved to Temple Rodef Shalom, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he established a national reputation. In 1934 he was appointed senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, New York City, also serving as president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (1933-35). Becoming rabbi emeritus in 1947, he devoted the last years of his career to preaching in small communities under the auspices of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
While in Albany and Pittsburgh, Goldenson was active in many campaigns for civic reform and social justice. His preachings from the pulpit reflect the moral and universalistic outlook of the prophets of Israel and stress the ideals of personal goodness as a preliminary step toward the solution of the larger problems of human society. Throughout his ministry he consistently upheld the democratic implications of Judaism within and without the congregation. He showed little sympathy with Jewish nationalism and the revived interest in synagogal ceremony. Shortly after coming to Pittsburgh, he introduced the unassigned seating system in his congregation, and ultimately received support of influential members who originally opposed his plan. His colleagues in the Jewish ministry regarded him as a "rabbi's rabbi." Many of his important sermons have been published.
Samuel H. Goldenson died on August 31, 1962.
Scope and Content Note
The Samuel H. Goldenson Papers consist of sermons, addresses and other writings. This collection is contained within a single series. This series contains Goldenson's sermons, 1909-1948, arranged in chronological order. There are also scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings about Goldenson as well as correspondence to and from Goldenson. This collection also contains one folder each of sermon outlines, monographs, radio addresses, lecture notes, prayers, eulogies, invocations and miscellaneous addresses.
The appendix and the first page in box 3 folder 3 give an alphabetical list of the contents of each folder. There is also a CD available with scans of some material and photographs of and relating to Goldenson.
Arrangement Note
This collection is arranged in 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
Preferred Citation
Footnotes and bibliographic references should refer to the Samuel H. Goldenson Papers and the American Jewish Archives. A suggestion for at least the first citation is as follows:
[Description], [Date], Box #, Folder #. MS-81. Samuel H. Goldenson Papers. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Provenance
The Samuel H. Goldenson Papers were donated in March 1976 by HUC-JIR, New York and by Daniel Goldenson, Princeton, N.J., January 2003.
Processing Information
Processed by Christine A. Crandall, March 2003
Other Finding Aids
An alphabetical listing of sermons and other addresses in the papers is available in an appendix .
Box and Folder Listing
Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the AJA's online catalog.