Sklar Family papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0789

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Forms part of the Houston Jewish History Archive. Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center in a small collection.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains one folder of black-and-white photographs, certificates, programs, invitations, and booklets featuring members of the Sklar family. The photographs are sorted into smaller snapshots, larger family portraits, and those taken at Esther and Meyer Moore’s 50th wedding anniversary. Many of the photographs are dated and identified with the family members shown.The collection also contains materials from the B’nai B’rith Youth organization, Fred’s Bar Mitzvah and Confirmation at Congregation Beth Jacob, and Fred’s commencement materials from San Jacinto High school. The materials are in good condition, and range in date from 1930 to 1954. Researchers interested in the Houston Jewish Community would find this collection insightful, especially regarding religious ceremonies and celebrations.

Dates

Creation: 1930 - 1954

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research. Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center in a small collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Sklar Family Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

Donor of the collection, Fred Sklar was a native Houstonian and attended San Jacinto High School and Rice University for his bachelor’s degree. The avid sports enthusiast was All Southwest Conference at Rice University, going on to run marathons, and lead Pickle Ball games later in his life, for which he was inducted into the Ronnie Arrow Houston Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. After graduating in 1956, Fred went on to become a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army at Fort Polk, Louisiana before marrying Patsy Sklar, his wife of 61 years, in 1958. The two settled in Houston after his service, and Fred worked as a CPA at Ernst and Young and then senior positions at banks and then ultimately in real estate as a commercial real estate broker. Fred Sklar passed away peacefully on January 1, 2019 at age 84.

Also featured prominently in the collection are Fred’s Grandparents, Esther and Meyer Moore, his aunt and uncle Frimet and Max Moore, and his cousins Abe, Alex, and Evelyn Moore. The arranger’s reconstructed family tree can be found in the collection’s control folder.

Extent

.10 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Sklar Family papers contain photographs and certificates relevant to the Sklar family, such as Fred Sklar’s confirmation certificate and bar mitzvah materials. The papers offer a look at institutions such as the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and Congregation Beth Jacob, and the ceremonies that tie families and communities together.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection are arranged in three series as follows:

Series I: Photographs Series II: Organization Materials Series III: Ceremonial Materials