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Robert Levy Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0831
Finding aid note: Forms part of the Houston Jewish History Archive. Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

The Robert Levy family papers contain five Purple Quill Publications, documents such as programs, church bulletins, letters, certificates, and invitations, as well as several early editions of the B’nai B’rith Hillel Scribe, a publication no longer in print. Though the materials range in date from 1929 to 1993, the majority of the papers are from earlier dates. Because of their age, some of the materials are delicate and worn, the most vulnerable of which have been placed in mylar sleeves for protection from deterioration. This collection would be useful for researchers interested in the Houston Jewish community, early publications, or the Temple B’nai Israel. The collection does not contain many personal documents relevant to the Levy family, aside from one personal letter.

Dates

  • 1929 - 1993

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research. Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Robert Levy 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

Robert Levy completed a Ph.D. in history at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1998, and is well-known for his book "Ana Pauker: The Rise and Fall of a Jewish Communist." A staunch member of Temple B’nai Israel, Levy served on the Board of Trustees in 2019.

Founded in 1858, Congregation B'nai Israel is one of the oldest members of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), an organization that provides vision, direction and leadership to Reform Jews and congregations on spiritual, ethical, social justice and management issues. Its current synagogue has housed the congregation since 1954.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 Box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

As part of the Los Angeles Jewish community, Robert Levy interacts with a number of its organizations and institutions. Mostly dated in the early 1930s, Robert Levy’s family papers offer a glimpse of Jewish life in Los Angeles nearly a century ago.

Arrangement

The materials are arranged in three series, as follows:

Series I: The Purple Quill Publications

Series II: Documents

Series III: Newsclippings: B’nai B’rith Hillel Scribe

The second series contains two sub-groups (Programs and Bulletins), and all materials are further sorted by date.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Robert Levy donated the materials in January of 2019.

Subjects

Record Groups

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Robert Levy Family papers, 1929-1993
Status
Completed
Author
Gabby Parker
Date
2019-03-29
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892