Microsoft word - mc 75-cjc

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Archives and Special Collections
Archives of the Center for Jewish Culture
Temple Beth (Fall River, MA)
Records, 1901 – 2008

Extent: 21 linear feet (19 boxes and 11 photo binder-boxes)
Scope and contents note: Divided into three series: Congregation records, 1929-2008; Hebrew School records,
1937-1967; and Sisterhood records, 1955-1991. The collection consists of photographs, scrapbooks, souvenir
programs, school yearbooks, meeting minutes, correspondence, newspaper articles, newsletters, and artifacts.
Historical Note: The idea of establishing a Conservative Congregation in Fall River, for the purpose of
strengthening traditional Judaism, began in 1923. In 1924, Edward Adaskin, a successful local furniture store
owner, invited fifteen men to his store to begin planning in earnest. The congregation of Temple Beth El was
officially organized in June 1924, with 60 charter members, and conducted its first services, on Bank Street in Fall
River, in September of that year. In February 1928, the Temple was destroyed by a devastating fire that engulfed
much of this section of the city. The next day, Edward Adaskin again convened a meeting in his store to discuss
rebuilding. A new location was chosen on the corner of High Street and Locust Street, and the cornerstone was laid
on October 28, 1928. By 1941, the Religious School, which offered six years of religious training, was founded, as
was an Institute of Adult Studies. In 1948 a nursery school was added. By 1945, the congregation had grown to 330
families. In 1952 ground was broken on a temple center addition, funded by the donation of $125,000 from the
estate of Jacob Ziskind and a subsequent gift of $50,000 from Albert List. The Jacob Ziskind Memorial Center was
dedicated on May 16, 1954.

Acquisition:
Original gift from Temple Beth El, in 1982, accession # F-9. Additions made by Rose Felder in 1982 and Melvin Yoken in 2006. Subsequent donations by Temple Beth El in 2008 and 2010. Accession # 08-15 and 11-19.
Copyright:

Processed:
Maura McGurk G ’07, November 2006. Reprocessed with additions by Judy Farrar. Completed January 2011.
Languages:

Repository:
Archives of the Center for Jewish Culture 285 Old Westport Rd. Series I: Temple Beth El Congregation records, 1929-2008

Box #
10th anniversary souvenir program, (2 copies) 1934 15th anniversary booklet (2 copies), 1939 25th anniversary booklet (2 copies), 1949 Ziskind Memorial Center Dedication Journal , 1954 Ziskind Memorial Center Dedication Journal (softcover), 1954 75th anniversary booklet, (2 copies) 2000 75th anniversary oral history presentation, 2000 75th anniversary videotape production, (2 VHS copies), 2000 Sabbath of Rededication, invitation and program, 2000 80th anniversary digital video production, (2 DVD copies), 2005 Cornerstone rededication, invitation and program, 2008 Second Annual Purim souvenir program, 1928 Invitations, tickets, event flyers, 1958-2000 Loose photographs and photocopies, 1935-1942 Awards, (removed from frames; one oversized award in map case) Scrapbook, Important Events, 1970s and 1980s Scrapbook, Purim Carnival, Model Seder, Israel’s 26th anniversary, 1960s and 1970s Loose clippings, 1932 – 1977 and photocopies Oversized photos: Congregation Picnic, B/W, 13 5/8 x 5 ½, 1938, 10th Anniversary Banquet, 1935 (photocopy), and temple interior, undated, (photocopy) Torah covers (6) and an embroidered cloth Door knob from original building on Locust Street and carved wooden “24” Prayer books, synagogue service book, and song book
Series II:
Hebrew School, Records, 1943-1967
Confirmation and graduation exercises, programs, 1938, 1963-1969 Religious School Review, 1937-1938 Yearbook of the Religious School, 1946 Hebrew School scrapbook (dismantled), around 1956 Series III: Temple Beth El Sisterhood, Records, 1955-1991
Box #
Invitations, flyers, event programs, 1959-1991 Photocopies of newspaper articles, 1955-1961 Scrapbook, “Here Come the Brides” event, 1984

Source: http://www.lib.umassd.edu/archives/findaids/MC75CJC.pdf