Kesher Inc. Records

Collection

Identifier: MS 0480

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Forms part of the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives.

Scope and Contents

One box containing records from Kesher Inc from 1986 to 1996. Includes Kesher's founding documents, newsletters, brochures, programs and event materials, newsclippings, a paper written by a University of Houston student about Kesher, and 2 VHS tape recordings of the Kesher education expo.

One folder consists of materials focusing on Kesher co-founder Cathie Jacobs' efforts to advocate that the Bertha Alyce Early Childhood Education Center, where she taught, close on Jewish holidays. This includes newspaper clippings about the controversy on whether to close the school, materials from the JCC about the issue, and a handwritten speech from Cathie advocating for the school's closure.

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

Dates

Creation: 1986 - 1996

Creator

Unknown (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research, except Folder 12, Student paper on Kesher, has an access restriction and is unavailable for research use until 2056.

Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Kesher Inc. 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

Kesher Inc. was started in August 1986 by Cathie Jacobs and Alyssa Friedland in Houston, Texas. They were motivated to form Kesher because of their children's own learning differences. Kesher supported Jewish parents of children with special learning needs and advocated for children's inclusion in Jewish education and ritual life. Kesher had an advisotry council with Jewish professionals and were supported by Rabbi Vernon at Jewish Family Services.

In addition to their parental support function, Kesher also coordinated various advocacy initiatives including sending liaisons to local congregations, hosting Jewish education expos, encouraging the creation of resource rooms at synagogues, and forming a day camp. Kesher also gave an annual Kesher Kavod award to an individual who advocated for or educated children with learning differences.

Extent

.50 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Materials including newsletters, by-laws, rosters, programs, minutes, speeches, event materials, newspaper articles, and two VHS tapes fromKesher Inc. which was a parent support group for Jewish children with special learning needs.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection have been arranged in one series as follows:

Series I: General

As much as possible materials were kept in original order from the donor.