The Notes and a birthday

The English noun “archive” came into usage via French, but its origin is Greek. It referred to the place in which important state documents were filed and interpreted under the authority of the chief magistrate. In more modern times, archives refer to primary-source materials, records of various sorts with cultural, social and historical importance, as well as the place where these materials are kept.

In case you have not already guessed, the above discussion of archive and archives is a lead-in to a bit of background about the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association and its role as the depository of the community’s history.

RIJHA was chartered on Sept. 11, 1951, and held its first official meeting on Nov. 20, 1951, 64 years ago. Actually, its origins were earlier, in the 1940s. A group of history buffs noted the swift changes taking place in the Jewish communities of Rhode Island. Aspects of Jewish life, once vibrant facets, were either outgrown or passed over by time, some to disappear entirely. They were part of our history in this state and worth preserving, worth study, worth remembering for their contributions to the rich and colorful tapestry of our communal life.

David C. Adelman’s realization that 1954 would be the year of two important celebrations was the stimulus for organizing the Jewish Historical Association: the oldest congregation in Providence was celebrating its 100th birthday and it was the 300th anniversary of the first Jewish arrivals in what would become the United States of America. These events, and the role a historical association could play in celebrating them, were the rallying point.

In 1951, with chutzpah and hope, five men and one woman joined with Adelman to found and launch the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association. They were prepared to research and document the celebrations, as well as collect, preserve and memorialize the history of the Jewish community of our state.

Three years later, the first issue of The Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes appeared.

In the beginning, the archive traveled a great deal. This had nothing to do with exhibiting our treasures: Our archive was the trunk of Adelman’s car, until it was relocated to the attic of the Victorian house where Seebert Goldowsky had his medical office. Thanks to the good offices of Melvin Zurier, the archives now have a home in the   Jewish Alliance.

The archives are not presided over by a chief magistrate, but by Anne Sherman, the office manager. The primary-source materials are not limited to state documents, though there are some there, and they are available for study. 

So what is in the archives? Photos, scrapbooks, minute books, memoirs, oral history tapes, antique and old tzedakah boxes, a century-old tailor’s dummy, a menorah once used in the Massachusetts State House to celebrate Hanukkah, a pinkas, city directories, a list of rabbis who once served congregations in Rhode Island, history books, issues of Anglo-Jewish newspapers more than 80 years old … and so much more. Let us not forget 17 volumes of The Notes, our annual journal and a chronicle of Jewish life in Rhode Island.

The welcome mat is always out for more materials relating to people, organizations and Jewish life in our community. They are the texture of the rich and colorful fabric that is our history in Rhode Island.

History is the memory of moments great and small. It is not merely a prologue to the present. It lends significance and meaning to the present and to generations to come.

We are the oldest continuing local Jewish historical association and the only one to publish an annual journal, The Notes.Help us celebrate our birthday. Become a member. Please.

GERALDINE FOSTER is a past president of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association. To comment about this or any Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association article, email info@rijha.org