Archive - Aronson, David Rabbinical Papers
Scope and Contents Note
Aronson's papers cover the entire span of his career as a rabbi. They consist of: correspondence; sermons; biographical material, consisting mostly of clippings and programs from events in his honor; speeches; drafts of writings; notes; syllabi from courses taught at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles; and subject files containing clippings and other printed material. This material documents Rabbi Aronson's career in the pulpit, his work with the Rabbinical Assembly, particularly its Committee on Jewish Law and Standards; his professorship at the University of Judaism; work with the United Synagogue; and contacts with the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Aronson's writings include copies of published writings, including "Our Changing World," 1912; "Women's Position in Israel," 1922; and "From Rib to Rabbi," 1987. Also included is a typescript of Aronson's book, The Jewish Way of Life, 1946, and lecture notes and an essay from Aronson's days as a student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Published papers by other writers, presumably gathered by Aronson, are also included.
Aronson's relationship with the Jewish Theological Seminary is documented by lectures delivered at the Seminary by himself and others; circular letters from Mordecai Kaplan about Reconstructionism, and information on conferences. Of note is a confidential letter from Aronson to Louis Finkelstein, 1944, outlining their differences of opinion as to how the Seminary was changing.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1915-1988
Creator
- Aronson, David (Person)
Languages or Scripts of Materials
English
Access
Materials are available by appointment only. To make an appointment and request materials in advance, contact the Librarian in charge of archival materials at: 212.678.8973 or via E-mail: archives@jtsa.edu.
Restrictions
Reproduction of fragile items is not permitted; consult the Librarian about literary rights.
Biography
David Aronson was born in Vitebsk, Russia, in 1894, and came to the United States in 1906. He received a B.A. from New York University in 1916, and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1919. Aronson served as a United States Army chaplain, 1917-1919, while still a student.
Aronson's first pulpits were in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1920-1921, and Duluth, Minnesota, 1922-1924. In 1924, he was asked to lead Beth El Synagogue, a new congregation in Minneapolis; he remained there until 1959. At that point, Rabbi Aronson moved to Los Angeles and became a professor of rabbinics at the University of Judaism. He returned often to Beth El Synagogue, and in Los Angeles he helped with services at Beth Am Synagogue.
In Minneapolis, Aronson acted as associate editor of the American Jewish World, 1931-1959, and he served on the Minnesota Governor's Human Rights Commission, 1943-1959. He was president of the Rabbinical Assembly, 1948-1950, and a member of its Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards. In 1946, he published, The Jewish Way of Life.
Rabbi Aronson married Bertha Friedman in 1927. They had two sons, Hillel and Raphael. Rabbi Aronson died in 1988.
Extent
6.25 Linear Feet (in 5 containers.)
Location Note
Materials are available (by appointment only) at The Special Collections Reading Room, The Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, 3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027. Phone: 212.678.8973 or via E-mail: archives@jtsa.edu.
Source of Acquisition
Gift of Bertha Aronson, May, 1989.
Subject
- Temple Beth Am (Los Angeles, Calif.) (Organization)
- Jewish Theological Seminary of America (Organization)
- United Synagogue of America (Organization)
- Rabbinical Assembly (Organization)
- Rabbinical Assembly. Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (Organization)
- University of Judaism (Los Angeles, Calif.) (Organization)
- Finkelstein, Louis (1895-1991) (Person)
- Beth El Synagogue (Minneapolis, Minn.) (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the David Aronson Rabbicial Papers
- Subtitle
- circa 1915-1988
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- RY.
- Date
- 1990.
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
- Sponsor
- Funding for the retrospective conversion of the original finding aid documents to produce this guide using Archivists’ Toolkit was made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary Repository
3080 Broadway
New York N.Y. 10027 USA
