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Spanish Work: Translating the Magnes Collection

As if on an “autopilot” of sorts, I have been continuously adapting (and at times, translating) collection information created over the decades at The Magnes from a German-dominated view of Jewish life to a more, how can I say, ecumenical one. (That is to say, one that reflects a more current state of Jewish studies [...]

One Internship, Ten Spice Containers

By Ekaterina Kalashnikova Graduate Student in Cultural Anthropology, Oulu University, Finland As a student of Cultural Anthropology at Oulu University in Finland, I am delighted to have had the opportunity to carry out an Internship at The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life this Fall. It was very exciting for me to experience first-hand [...]

Newly Available Western Americana Archival Collections

The following Western Americana archival collections are now available to researchers in the Bancroft Library Reading Room: Sophie and Theodore Lilienthal letters and photographs, 1870-1910 Anne Ackerman Finnie family papers, 1899-1981 Frank and Eleanor Sloss family papers and photographs, 1899-1985 Meyer family papers, 1850-2008 Edward and Cathryn Bransten family papers and photographs, 1880-1980

Processing Sherith Israel: Bundles of Fun

I have been working on the financial records of Congregation Sherith Israel. The congregation has had a number of secretaries and collectors over the 160 years of its existence. The one that dominates this collection is Alexander Badt, secretary of Sherith Israel for more than three decades. He steered the congregation’s daily operations through the [...]

Processing Sherith Israel: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

For the past few weeks, I have been absorbed in processing the records of Congregation Sherith Israel. There have been a variety of challenges so far and lots of rewarding moments too! One of the challenges of this collection is the condition of many of the bound volumes in the collection. The burial permits for [...]

Summer Fun with the Congregation Sherith Israel Records

I am spending the summer processing Congregation Sherith Israel’s records for access at the Bancroft Library. It is a truly spectacular collection that documents, in fantastic detail, the history of one of the West Coast’s most important congregations. Its significance is amplified, however, by the fact that Sherith Israel’s 19th-century records survived the 1906 earthquake [...]

Levinson, Stern, Cemeteries Commission open to researchers

The following Western Americana archival collections are now open to researchers in the reading room of the Bancroft Library: Robert Levinson papers (OAC finding aid) William Stern papers (OAC finding aid) Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks records (OAC finding aid)

“This Night, We All Recline.” The Magnes Collection Passover Survival Guide

The symbology of Passover, the Festival of freedom, liberation, emancipation, or self-determination – depending on how one interprets the Hebrew definition of the celebration, חג החרות, chag ha-cherut – is difficult to escape. Ritual objects and material culture do not shy away from these interpretations, and instead enhance them by pointing to the practical implications [...]

My Dear Parents…

I am doing some work on the Judah L. Magnes papers as part of the process of making them accessible in the Bancroft Library.  I thought I would share this lovely New Year’s letter that 14-year-old Judah Leon Magnes wrote to his parents. My Dear Parents, This letter I post in the letter-box of my [...]

The Great and The Small: Purim & The Magnes Collection

Purim Greetings from China. JWB (The Jewish War Bond), postcard, 1940′s Alvin I. Fine papers, 1848-1962, WJHC 1977.002 The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, The Bancroft Library [image file: wjhc1977-002-001] The spirit of Purim is high with The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life! So, let’s bring on the metaphors… (And, if [...]