JCA: Detroit Jewish Newspapers Microfilm Collection
Collection
Identifier: UR001743
Scope and Content
23 microfilm reels. Three reels of The Jewish American, 1901-1911. Twenty reels of The Jewish Chronicle, 1916-1951.
Dates
- 1901 - 1951
Creator
- The Jewish American (Organization)
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Use
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.
History
Detroit’s first English-language Jewish newspaper began with the October 5, 1900, issue of The Jewish American, a weekly publication. Emanuel T. Berger was the editor, and it was published by The Jewish Review and Observer of Cleveland, Ohio. On October 18, 1901, after being purchased by Solomon Goldsmith, The Jewish American became the official organ of Temple Beth El in Detroit. Beth El's rabbi, Leo M. Franklin, served as editor, and Goldsmith was publisher. In 1904, Franklin relinquished the role of editor, but the paper continued as the voice of the temple. Goldsmith died in 1908, and as of 1910 the paper was no longer the official voice of Temple Beth El. The last issue appeared on May 12, 1911.
There were several short-lived attempts at other Detroit Jewish papers, but the most successful did not begin until March 16, 1916, with the publication of The Jewish Chronicle. That paper's first editor was Samuel J. Rhodes, but its best known was Philip Slomovitz, who remained as the editor and a prominent voice in the Detroit Jewish community until his death in 1993. The Chronicle was published until July 20, 1951, when it was incorporated with The Jewish News.
There were several short-lived attempts at other Detroit Jewish papers, but the most successful did not begin until March 16, 1916, with the publication of The Jewish Chronicle. That paper's first editor was Samuel J. Rhodes, but its best known was Philip Slomovitz, who remained as the editor and a prominent voice in the Detroit Jewish community until his death in 1993. The Chronicle was published until July 20, 1951, when it was incorporated with The Jewish News.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (1 OS, 23 reels) : Microfilm Box 29
Abstract
The microfilm collection is comprised of The Jewish American (1901-1911), official organ of Temple Beth El in Detroit, and The Jewish Chronicle (1916-1951), forerunner of The Jewish News and The Detroit Jewish News.
Arrangement
Microfilms are arranged in chronological order.
Acquisition
Acquired from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit in 2000.
Other Copies
Digital copies of the Jewish Chronicle are available at the website of the Detroit Jewish News Foundation: https://djnfoundation.org.
Processing History
Finding aid written by Aimee Ergas on February 23, 2016.
Creator
- The Jewish American (Organization)
- The Jewish Chronicle (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the JCA: Detroit Jewish Newspapers Microfilm Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Updated by Aimee Ergas
- Date
- 2016-02-23
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA