ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202
COLLECTION: OGL #1304
DATES: 1893-1993
SIZE: 3.75 Linear Feet
ACQUISITION: Congregation B'nai Israel records were deposited into the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Dr. Mark Siegal, President of the Congregation in Grand Forks, on January 13, 1995 (Acc.# 95-2008).
ACCESSION: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.
RELATED COLLECTIONS: OGL#253, Children of Israel Congregation Records
The Jewish community of Grand Forks began forming in the late 1880's and by 1891 the city's Jewish population included approximately 60 families. This first generation created a tightly knit social and religious community in Grand Forks. Articles of Incorporation adopted on August 26, 1891 organized the community into the Congregation of the Children of Israel. Soon after incorporating, the congregation set about erecting a synagogue. The first services were officiated in 1892 by Rabbi Benjamin Papermaster, who remained until his death in 1934.
The following rabbis succeeded Papermaster: J.W. Shapiro, 1934- 1938; Shalom H. Barenholtz; Louis Berkal, 1940-1954; M. Levison; Morris Shapiro, 1957-1960; Soloman Tratner, 1962-1965; Abraham Garmaize; M. Benjamin Silman, 1970; Jeffrey Bearman, 1975-1976; Robert Kravitz, 1984-1987; Deborah Bronstein, 1988- 1989; and student rabbis: Stephen Mills, 1989-1991; Burt Schuman, 1991-1993; Jay Moses, 1993-1994; Ken Carr, 1994-1995.
By 1915 congregants had also formed an Ahavath Zion Society of 96 members, including 22 women, a Hebrew Literary Society for children ranging in age from 8 to 15, and a chapter of B'nai B'rith. The Congregation placed supreme value on educating their children about the beliefs and practices of Judaism.
The Sisterhood was founded in 1891 as the "Ladies Aid Society" and later reorganized adopting the name of "Sisterhood" during a meeting on November 12, 1933. During that meeting, twenty-nine women voted to become members and signed pledge cards to that effect. Those present also voted to charge fifty cents in yearly dues. Five days later, twenty-two women assembled as the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood's frequent fundraisers in the 1930's and 1940's provided an opportunity for residents of all faiths to gather for social teas and picnics, or to play cards for an evening in secular halls and clubs. Funds initially went directly into a trust fund to erect a new shule but ceased after the construction of the temple of B'nai Israel. In the late 1970's, Sisterhood members began to focus more on their role as women active in the Jewish faith.
Records of the Congregation B'nai Israel are divided into three series: Synagogue, Sisterhood, and B'nai B'rith.
The Synagogue Series contains by-laws, minutes (1974-1991), correspondence (1967-1992), and financial statements for the congregation itself, rabbis, and religious schools (1968-1979). Membership listings and the cemetery book for the Montefiore Cemetery can also be found in this series, as well as publications of the congregation, and prayer books and manuals.
The Sisterhood Series contains a brief history of the group, membership lists (1978-1984), minutes (1927-1991), correspondence (1967-1991), and a listing of their numerous programs and fundraisers. Information concerning the Montefiore Cemetery is also included in this series.
The B'nai B'rith Series contains information about the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) and all Adult Jewish Education. The B'nai B'rith raises funds and provides services to its community of members including numerous programs that educate and inform about Jewish tradition. The BBYO is very active with conventions, clubs, and education. B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) is a sub group of the BBYO. Records include by-laws, statistics (1975-1976), correspondence (1971-1986), minutes (1974-1985), and reports of various meetings and conventions (1971-1987). The B'nai B'rith was very active and their programs, study and discussion guides, publications and an activity book (1964-1965) can also be found in this series.
The final item of the collection is a photograph taken at the Triennial Convention in Philadelphia, ca. 1971.
FOLDER 1. By-Laws
2. Minutes of Meetings, 1905-1925
3. Papers Interleaved in Minutes of Meetings, 1905-1925
4. Minutes of Meeting, MAY 7, 1974
5. Minutes of Board Meetings, SEP, 1989-MAR, 1991
6. Correspondence, JAN, 1967-DEC, 1974
7. Correspondence, JAN, 1975-JUL, 1992
8. Financial Record Book, JAN, 1969-OCT, 1974
9. Financial Statement, 1968
10. Financial Statements, OCT-DEC, 1974
11. Financial Statements, 1975
12. Financial Statements, 1976
13. Financial Statements, 1977
14. Financial Statements, 1978
15. Financial Statements, 1979
16. Tax Receipts, Certificates
17. Religious School Salaries, Bills, Enrollment
18. Rabbi Expenses, 1975-1976
19. Record of Cash, Dues, Donations, JAN, 1969 - DEC, 1972
20. Membership Dues
21. Listing of Members (copied from binder, and address labels)
22. Dues Schedule, 1984 (including article from Grand Forks Herald, NOV 18,
1984)
23. Savings Account Records, 1975-1979
24. Information Memo, Agricultural Extension
25. Bulletin, FEB, 1969-AUG, 1993
26. Certificate of Honor for David Rosenberg
27. Appointment Calendars, 1970-1971, 1971-1975 (blank)
28. Montefiore Cemetery Book
29. BOLD, A B'nai B'rith Leaders Manual, Blueprint of Leadership Development
30. Member's Handbook, A Manual for AZA's
31. Form of Prayer's for the Feast of Passover
32. Prayer Book for the New Year
33. Mahzor Abodat Israel Prayers for the Atonement
34. Daily Prayers, By: Dr. M. Stern
FOLDER 1. Mahzor Abodat Israel Prayers for New Year
2. Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book
3. For Form of Prayers for the Feast of Weeks, According to Custom of the
German and Polish Jews
4. Dictionary and Prayer Book
5. Prayer Book
6. Prayer Book
7. History
8. History of Members' Families
9. Membership Lists, 1978-1984
10. Minutes, 1927-1939
11. Minutes, 1939-1941
12. Papers Interleaved in Minutes, 1927-1941
13. Minutes, MAY, 1948-MAY, 1955
14. Minutes, FEB, 1953-APR, 1960
15. Minutes, SEP, 1955-MAY, 1960
16. Minutes, SEP, 1960-MAY, 1971
17. Minutes of Meetings and Events, 1968-1984
18. Papers Interleaved in Minutes of Meetings, 1960-1980; see Separations
Record
19. Minutes, 1970-1981
20. Minutes, 1982-1991
21. Minutes of Meetings, 1983-1989
22. Papers Interleaved in Minutes of Meetings, 1968-1989
23. Correspondence, 1967-1991
24. Budget Statistics, 1965-1987
25. President's Notes, 1989-1992
26. Papers Interleaved in President's Notes, 1989-1992
27. Materials of Montefiore Cemetery
28. Montefiore Cemetery Statements
29. Programs, 1965-1987
30. Programs
31. Stationary
FOLDER 1. By-Laws, Policies, Definitions
2. Duties of Officers
3. Minutes, OCT, 1974-FEB, 1985
4. Synopsis of Minutes of Local Board of Government Meeting, JUN, 1976-NOV,
1976
5. Reports for Board Meetings, 1971-1976
6. Schedules of Meetings and Conventions, JUN, 1975-JUN, 1987
7. Conventions, MAY, 1962-DEC, 1977
8. Correspondence, NOV, 1971-JAN, 1986
9. Convention Expenses
10. Membership and Budget Statistics, JAN, 1975-DEC, 1976
11. Updates of Members
12. Purim Services, 1985-1986
13. Jewish Communities in North Dakota
14. Operations Manual and Career Information 15 Music and Programs
16. Programs
17. Programs
18. Study/Discussion Guides
19. Study/Discussion Guides
20. Study/Discussion Guides
21. Memo and Date Book (blank), 1968-1969
22. Publications of Organization
23. Publications of Organization
24. Publications Used by Organization
25. Activity Book, 1964-1965
26. Photograph, Triennial Convention, Philadelphia, International President-
David L. Brumberg, ca. 1971
The following materials have been separated and placed on shelves adjacent to the
collection:
1. Sisterhood Minutes of Meetings, 1960-1980
The following map has been separated and placed in Orrin G. Libby Oversize
Materials:
1. Map of Montefiore Cemetery
Reel-to-Reel audiotape #1803; UND (1965) Board of Governors Lecture: George Lincoln
Rockwell; approx. 60 min added to the Audio-Visual Collection.
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