Congregation Brith Shalom Records

Collection

Identifier: MS 1075

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Forms part of the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives. Stored off-site at the Library Service Center and requires 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Content Description

The Congregation Brith Shalom Collection contains 15 boxes and 1 map drawer of programs, catalogues, directories, historical documents, memorabilia, books, sermons, scrapbooks, news clippings, event materials, minutes, and temple bulletins. The materials are in good condition and range in date from 1941 to 2023. Researchers interested in the public programming organized by Congregation Brith Shalom, synagogue milestone fundraising initiatives, and scrapbooks showing the activity of the Men's Club, Sisterhood, and general synagogue events would be interested in this collection.

Forms part of the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives.

Dates

Creation: 1941 - 2023

Creator

Congregation Brith Shalom. (Bellaire, Tex) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research. Some material in box 6 are restricted for 30 years. Permission to view these items must be obtained from the director of the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives or the director of the Woodson Research Center.They will be made open to the public in 2056.

Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism Records 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

The idea for Brith Shalom began taking shape on September 15, 1954, at a meeting of the Hebrew Education Committee of the Jewish Community Council. The meeting addressed the needs of Jewish families in Southwest Houston who hoped to establish a congregation for prayer and Hebrew education. In 1955, the congregation held its first services in a rented home at 2203 Bellefontaine. That year, its constitution was ratified, officially establishing Congregation Brith Shalom as a new Conservative synagogue. The congregation held its first High Holy Day services at the Knights of Columbus Hall, with Rabbi Samuel Scolnic serving as its first rabbi. In March 1956, the congregation moved to 4301 Bellaire Boulevard, where members built a prefabricated structure for worship. Rabbi Harry Sky served as rabbi, followed by Rabbi Moshe Cahana, who became the congregation’s spiritual leader in 1958. In the fall of 1959, Brith Shalom purchased the former First Baptist Church at 4610 Bellaire Boulevard, its present home, which was dedicated in April 1961.

Throughout its history, Brith Shalom has been served by a number of spiritual leaders, including Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz, Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, Rabbi Howard Siegel, Interim Rabbi Danny Horowitz, and Rabbi Ranon Teller. The congregation has also played an important role in the history of Houston’s Jewish community, becoming the first congregation in the area to offer aliyot to women. Classes were provided to help prepare those honored for this meaningful opportunity to participate in the Torah service.

Extent

12.5 Linear Feet (15 boxes; 1 map-drawer)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Congregation Brith Shalom Collection is comprised of 15 boxes offering a glimpse into the day-to-day goings-on of Congregation Brith Shalom, with documents spanning seventy years of the Jewish temple’s existence. Books, memorabilia, directories, programs, sermons, and bulletins from different decades show the similarities and changes at Brith Shalom as it continues to grow with the rest of Houston’s Jewish Community.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection have been arranged into twelve series as follows: Series I: Event Materials; Series II: Directories; Series III: Correspondence; Series IV: Sermons and Instructional Material; Series V: Buildings and Grounds; Series VI: Photographic Materials; Series VII: News Clippins and Advertisements; Series VIII: Publications; Series IX: Awards and Certificates; Series X: Organizational Records; Series XI: Media and Books; Series XII: Ephemera

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This material was donated by Melissa Magenheim, Executive Director of Congregation Brith Shalom, on August 31, 2023.

Separated Materials

The books Aphorisms and Torah by Rabbi Moshe Cahana, Torah Values by Rabbi Moshe Cahana, and "I Remember When..." edited by Empily Spector, Barbara Peyton, and Marcia Lerner and published by the National Council of Jewish Women Greater Houston Section have been separated from the collection and cataloged separately.