ARCHIVES OF RABBI HERBERT S. GOLDSTEIN AND FAMILY

SIGNIFICANT ARCHIVE OF ORTHODOX JEWISH HISTORY PERTAINING TO MAJOR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONALITIES IN THE USA AND ISRAEL. Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein (1890- 1970) was one of the most important Orthodox Rabbis in New York City. He pioneered and developed the West Side Institutional Synagogue into an institution which comprised social, educational and sports activities as well as religious services. He was active in many organizations and preserved historical material pertaining to these organizations; e.g. Yeshiva University, Rabbinical Council of America, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, Agudas Israel (both in America and Israel), and especially the Harry Fischel Institute for Research in Jewish Law, Yad Ha-rav Herzog. Many of the projects he was involved in were financially supported by the philanthropic foundation established by his father-in-law Harry Fischel. As these papers show, during the World War II-era, Goldstein was extremely active in assisting Jewish Chaplains and providing help for the rescue work performed under the auspices of Agudath Israel. Includes letters and documents written to both Rabbis Goldstein and his son-in-law, Asher O. Reichel signed by R.Yitzchak Meyer Lewin, Moshe Porush, Jacob Rosenheim., Dr. Jacob Griffel, Michael Tress and other dignitaries of Agudas Yisrael. Many of these letters pertain to Goldstein’s work during the war years predating the establishment of the State of Israel settling religious refugees, supporting a chain of religious schools and other activities in his capacity as Chairman of the Keren Ha-yishuv- the fund for Religious Jewry in Eretz Yisrael. In this capacity he participated with Rabbi Simon Schwab and other representatives of the Agudah at the United Nations Conference On International Organization in San Francisco. Papers also concern post-war problems of restoration, rehabilitation and settlement, the future of Palestine, international agreements concerning ritual slaughter, calendar reform etc. In addition, is found the personal diaries of Goldstein’s wife Betty Goldstein, includes descriptions of their courtship, her collaboration in the writing of his Master’s Thesis on R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (copy of the thesis included) for Columbia University; social life at Columbia; early synagogue and family matters etc. Plus sermons, halachic matters, etc