Temple B'rith Kodesh papers
Creator: Temple B'rith Kodesh (Rochester, N.Y.)
Call Number: D.389
Dates: 1848-1972
Physical Description: 3 boxes
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Table of Contents:

Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Related Materials
Content List
Series I: Synagogue records
Series II: Individuals associated with the synagogue
Collection Overview
Title: Temple B'rith Kodesh papers
Creator: Temple B'rith Kodesh (Rochester, N.Y.)
Call Number: D.389
Dates: 1848-1972
Physical Description: 3 boxes
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Biographical/Historical Note
Temple B'rith Kodesh was founded on October 9, 1848 as an Orthodox synagogue with 12 members. It is the oldest Jewish congregation and the largest Reform temple in the greater Rochester area. From 1849-1856 the home of Temple B'rith Kodesh was on Front Street. After, the congregation moved into the former church on St. Paul St. By 1894 the congregation had grown to over 250 members and a building was purchased in downtown Rochester on Gibbs Street. During this period, a gradual change from Orthodox to Classical Reform began. Horace J. Wolf, senior rabbi from 1915-1927, was the temple's first rabbi born in the United States. He adovcated the temple as a community house, offering a range of classes. lectures and sporting activities to the entire Jewish community.

When Rabbi Philip Bernstein became Senior Rabbi in 1926, the temple was located on Gibbs Street in the downtown area of Rochester. More traditional observances were adopted by the congregation during his tenure including the return from Sunday services to Friday night and Saturday morning services, traditional High Holy Day observances, and celebration of Bar and Bat Mitzvah traditions.

In 1962, a new Temple B'rith Kodesh was erected on Elmwood Ave. The new temple marked the movement of most B'rith members from the city to the suburbs.

Scope and Content
This collection documents the development of Rochester, the influence of World Wars, and the rise of radical reform through the efforts of Isaac Mayer, Susan B. Anthony, Willam Warfield and Stephen S. Wise. Included in the collection are financial and marriage reports. It includes writings by Rabbi Wolf and Rabbi Bernstein with travel diaries of Simon N. Stein.

Subject(s):
New York (State)--Rochester
Synagogues
Jews
Temple B'rith Kodesh (Rochester, N.Y.)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Temple B'rith Kodesh Museum committee, received May 16, 2005, January 11, 2006, and June 8, 2017.Access
The Temple B'rith Kodesh papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.eduCitation
[Item title, item date], Temple B'rith Kodesh papers, D.389, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of RochesterRelated Materials
The Rabbi Philip Bernstein Papers, housed in the department, also document the history of the temple.


Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Address:
Rush Rhees Library
Second Floor, Room 225
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
rarebks@library.rochester.edu
URL:


Content List