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B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (Charleston, SC) records

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 1046

Collection Overview

The bulk of the collection is housed in 20 large scrapbooks, ranging in size from 36 to 68 cm. in height. Collection contains records of the Charleston, SC, chapters of Aleph Zadik Aleph and B'nai B'rith Girls. AZA Chapter #143 records comprise bulk of collection and contain: Administrative records: chapter rosters (1931-1980); lists of past presidents and "Sweethearts"; meeting minutes (1964); correspondence (1960-1965); press releases(1960-1962); event planning notes (1960-1964); award information. Photographs (color and b/w) include images of 1930s dances, District 5 conventions, sports teams; 1940s Sweetheart dances, District 5 conventions; 1950s Sweetheart dances and candidates; 1960s Sweetheart dances and candidates, conventions, chapter officers; 1970s dances, basketball teams. Financial documents (1960s) contain chapter bank account records and proposed budget (1963). Awards (1960s) include honor certificates from BBYO (many 1st place awards for 143's news publication, CHAZA). Ephemera (1960s-1980s) includes event invitations, fliers, tickets and programs. News clippings (1940s-1990s) mention dances, Sweetheart candidates, officers, awards, conventions, sporting events and projects with BBG. Publications include "Service Scraps" (1942-1945); broken run of CHAZA (1945-1981); anniversary programs (1940s); chapter songs (1960s); pledge class publications (1960s); broken run (1975-1989) of Chapter #1969's newspaper, the YENTAH. Seventeen scrapbooks (1936-1988) contain photographs, news clippings and ephemera from events, dances, elections, etc; includes scrapbook (1987-1988) of combined AZA 143/1969. Misc. #143 material includes artifacts (BBYO pin and patch, dances favors), four 8mm films reels of 1964 dances and a prayer breakfast; AZA 143 jacket (1952); negatives and slides (1930s-1970) of dances, award ceremonies, banquets, sweetheart candidates. B'nai B'rith Girls #1134 papers contain issues (1960, 1962, 1974) of Genesis, publication of BBG 1134; members manual (1991). Photographs (and color photocopies) of installation banquets (1967), council conventions, fashion show (1971) and misc. images (1960s-1970s) from meetings and conventions. Lists of BBG 1134 presidents and "Beaus" (1960-1980) and BBG 1541 presidents and "Beaus" (1969-1979). Clippings (1962-1986) mention dances, conventions, charitable projects, joint projects with AZA and new officers; oversize scrapbook compiled (1987-1988) by chapter 1541. Regional and National BBYO material includes issues (1947-1953) of District Five Folder and The Southerner (1953-1960); Southern convention program (1936); minutes (1964) of BBYO Southern Region Executive Committee; The Shofar (1948, 1964-1966); publications re. BBYO/AZA rituals and awards; AZA's 40th anniversary (1963); AZA handbook (1951). Oversize scrapbook compiled (1979-1970) by executive members of Dixie Council highlights six AZA chapters in South Carolina and Georgia.

Dates

  • 1930s-1990s
  • Majority of material found within 1960s

Creator

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Historical Note

Founded in 1843, B'nai B'rith is the oldest Jewish service organization in the United States. The younger arm of B'nai B'rith, the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, provides opportunities for Jewish youth to develop leadership skills and Jewish identity. BBYO consists of Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA), founded in 1924 for 9th-12th grade boys, B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG), founded in 1927 for 9th-12th grade girls and B'nai B'rith Teen Connection for 7th and 8th grade boys and girls. The first AZA chapter in Charleston, SC, (AZA #143) was founded in 1931. The second chapter (AZA #1969) formed in 1969, and merged with #143 in 1983. B'nai B'rith Girls organized a Charleston chapter in 1960.

Extent

12.0 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Acquisitions Information

Materials donated by Sandra Lee Rosenblum, Solomon Breibart, Harold Koslow, and Max Kirshstein.

Source

Title
Inventory of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (Charleston, SC) Records, 1930s-1990s (bulk 1960s)
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by: Special Collections staff ; finding aid created by: Special Collections staff
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)