Temple Adath Israel records
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Temple Adath Israel records
- Date
- 1903-2016, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 20.85 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Jews -- Kentucky -- Lexington
- Reform Judaism
- Synagogue archives
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged into 6 series by subject and format: Administrative files, Temple history and development, Officers and rabbis, Printed materials, Services and sermons, and Photographs.
- Preferred Citation
- 2017ms001 : [identification of item], Temple Adath Israel records, 1903-2016, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Founded in 1903, Temple Adath Israel (TAI) is Lexington, Kentucky's oldest Jewish congregation. Associated with the Union for Reform Judaism from its outset, the Temple incorporated with the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1904 as Adath Israel Congregation, with Samuel Goldenson as its first full-time rabbi. The Temple opened its first permanent location on Maryland Avenue in 1905 and remained there until 1926, when it relocated to its present address on Ashland Avenue.
- TAI's commitment to worship, Torah study, social justice, and community is reflected in its longstanding engagement with education and civic outreach. The synagogue was expanded in 1950 to allow for a dedicated wing for the TAI Religious School, which focuses on teaching the history, practice, and language of the Jewish faith to toddlers, elementary students, and high schoolers. In 1983, the synagogue was renovated once more and the TAI Preschool program began, with a year-long curriculum for children that celebrates Jewish holidays and the weekly Shabbat.
- Over one hundred years since its founding, Temple Adath Israel continues its tradition of active worship services, educational programs, and social action projects that support its congregation and the greater Lexington community.
- Scope and Content
- The Temple Adath Israel records (dated 1903-2016, undated; 20.85 cubic feet; 27 boxes, 2 items, 1 map folder) comprise administrative files and reports, Temple bulletins and yearbooks, service and sermon programs, and photographs that document the history and development of Lexington, Kentucky's oldest Jewish congregation.
- The collection also includes scrapbooks and correspondence of Temple rabbis and presidents, newspaper clippings on Temple activities, architectural drawings for TAI renovations and expansions, and a time capsule that commemorates the Temple's 100th anniversary.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Administrative files, 1903-2013, undated
Scope and Contents
Constitutes the bulk of the collection and includes committee files, minutes for meetings of the Board of Trustees and of the Congregation, financial ledgers and reports, and membership applications and resignations that document the Temple's administration. Also includes roll books and files that document the Temple's religious school.
Committees, workshops, and societies, 1950-2006, undated
American Jewish Historical Society, undated
Archives Committee, 1987-1994, undated
B'nai B'rith, 1973-1985
Board nominees, 1994-2005, undated
Boy Scouts, 1963-1965
Brotherhood of TAI, 1951-2004, undated
Brotherhood of TAI meeting minutes, photographs, and correspondence, 1950-1955, 1982, undated
Creative workshop, 1952-1985, undated
Decorating Committee, 1986-1989
Family Life Task Force, 1989, undated
Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) - Jewish Community Association, 1971-1982, undated
FCI correspondence, 1977-1983
FCI correspondence, 1982-1985
Five-Year Member Workshop, 1991
Goldman Union Camp Institute, 1978-1982
Hillel, 1956-1966
Hillel, 1936, 1965-1973
Hillel, 1966-1968
Hillel, 1967-1970
Hillel, 1967-1972
Hillel, 1973-1976
Hillel, 1976-1982
Hillel, 1982-1983
Hillel, 1985
Jewish Chautauqua Society, 1959-1965
Jewish Chautauqua Society, 1966-1969
Jewish Chautauqua Society, 1971-1975
Jewish Chautauqua Society, 1976-1986
Library Committee, 1985-1987
NFTY-TYG song book, "Songs of Zion", undated
National Jewish Welfare Board, 1960-1979
Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Youth (OVFTY), 1965-1987
Ohio Valley Federation of Temple Youth 40 year reunion book, 1987
Preschool Committee meeting minutes, 2002 September
Senior citizens programs, 1971-1976, undated
Sisterhood newsletters, 1993-1997
Sisterhood newsletters, 1998-1999
Sisterhood service programs, [1989?]-2006, undated
Spinoza Society, 1967-1982, undated
Temple committees, 1973-1974
Temple Reform Youth Bluegrass (TRYB), 1999, 2001
Temple Youth Group, 1956-1964
Temple Youth Group, 1962-1976, undated
University of Kentucky, 1964-1971, undated
Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), 1984-1987
UAHC Directory of Member Congregations, 1982-1983
UAHC Directory of Member Congregations, 1985-1986
UAHC Directory of Member Congregations, 1990-1993
UAHC Directory of Member Congregations, 1995
Worship Committee, 1966-1971, 1992
Worship Committee, 1971-1975
Worship Committee, 1976-1979
Worship Committee, Yom Kippur memorial book samples, 1973-1978
Financial, 1928-1993, undated
Budget, 1939-1980
Endowment fund, 1936-1988
Endowment fund 1988, 1960-1988
Endowment fund annual report, 1983 March 31
Financial documents, 1953-1993, undated
Financial ledger book, 1928-1943
Financial ledger book, 1944-1951
Financial ledger book, 1953-1958
Statements and reports, 1953-1954
Statements and reports, 1954-1955
Statements and reports, 1955-1956
Statements and reports, 1956-1957
Meetings, 1943-2013
Board of Trustees meetings, 1943-2013
1903-1904
1928-1943
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1958-1960
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Congregational meetings, 1954-2007
1954
1961-1964
1965 May 23
1966 May 15
1967 May 21
1968 May 26
1969 May 4
1970 May 17
1971 May 16
1972 May 14
1973 May 6
1974 May 19
1975 April 27
1976 May 16
1977 May 15
1978 May 21
1979 April 30
1980 April 27
1981 April 26
1982 May 16
1983 April 30
1984 May 13
1985 April 27
1986 May 4
1987
1989-2002
2007 April 29
Membership, 1930-2013, undated
Applications, 1960s
Applications, 1970s
Applications, 1980s
Applications, 1990s
Applications, undated
Certificates, 1930, 1941
Correspondence, 1951-2013, undated
Directory, undated
Membership list, 1945
Procedure for prospective members, undated
Resignations and deletions, 1990-1992
Resolutions, deaths of members, 1979-1999, undated
Scrapbook- member deaths and resolutions, 1967-1981
Yahrzeit list letter, 1956
Yahrzeit list, 1962-1964
Office files, 1903-2005, undated
Adopt-A-Family, 1985-1986
Alexander Tiemkin, 1973-1975
Bar Mitzvah rules-outdated, 1973-1984
Blank certificates, undated
Blessings, undated
Break-in of 1980, 1980
Business information, undated
By-laws, undated
Central Kentucky Jewish Singles, 1992-1998
Choirbook, "Atonement Music Book II: Schlesinger", undated
Code of ethics between Rabbi and Rabbi, 1964
College, Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) information, 1995-1996, undated
Corinne Strauss Stern Library, 1964-1965
Correspondence to Board of Education, 1965-1980
Correspondence, email, 2003-2005
Dietary laws, 12 March 1979
Educational materials from Rabbi Bogot (PET), 1985-1987, undated
Former Rabbis, 1903-2004, undated
Greater Lexington Funeral and Memorial Society, undated
Guest speakers, 2002-2003
High Holy Days courtesy cards, 1985, undated
High Holy Days worship survey, 1978
House rules, 1968-1997, undated
Jacob Stern official documents, photocopies (1853-1862), undated
Jewish Video Library, Jewish Video News, 1991 May-June
Manuscript catalog of the American Jewish Archives, undated
Marriage certificates and program, 1931, 1989
"Our American Credo", undated
Personals for newsletter, undated
Rabbinical Placement Commission, 1950-1965
Scholar in Residence, 1973-1975
Scholar in Residence, 1977-1979
Scholar in Residence, 1980-1983
"Souvenir of the Central Committee Knesseth-Israel of the Jewish Ashknazim of the United Communities Jerusalem" cloth, undated
Soviet Jewry, 1964-1973, undated
TAI flyer no. 835, undated
Temple press relations, undated
Temple Sinai, Wellington, New Zealand correspondence, 1960-1965, undated
Temple Times newsletter, 1973-1975
Turnov Jewish community, 1912-2000, undated
Voluntary Action Center, 1980-1982, undated
Yearbook general information, 1980-1981
Religious school, 1959-1988, undated
Adult education, 1959-1988, undated
Religious school, 1970-1974, undated
Religious school, 1975-1977
Religious school, 1979-1985
Religious school curriculum, 1982-1983
Roll Book, 1959-1964
Roll Book, 1965-1969
Roll Book, 1969-1974
Roll Book, 1974-1979
Senior block speakers, 1968-1973, undated
Subject files, 1939-2004, undated
"Ben Shahn: Compassionate Universalist, Unparochial Jew" by Lily Edelman, The National Jewish Monthly, 1973 February
"The Facts of Jewish Exile" by David Ben Gurion, 1965
Intermarriage, 1939-1984, undated
Jewish religious thought, 1955-1985, undated
Kentucky by I. J. Schwartz, 2004
Lee Shai Weissbach articles, 1990-2003, undated
Reform liberal progressive pamphlets, undated
"Some Lawyers in Kentucky Wear Shoes and Other True Stories" by Attorney A. Lawrence Sherman, undated
Union of American Hebrew Congregations publications, 1963, undated
Your Bar Mitzvah by Benjamin Efron and Alvan O. Rubin, 1964
Temple history and development, 1920-2014, undated
Scope and Contents
Comprises architectural plans and proposals for Temple renovations, scrapbooks and brochures for TAI anniversary celebrations, and newspaper clippings that document the history of the Temple and its congregation. Also includes a time capsule that was created in celebration of the Temple's 100th anniversary with instructions for it to be opened during the Temple's 125th anniversary celebration in 2028.
Building expansions and renovations, 1945-2006, undated
1945-1956
1975, 1981-1984
1976, 1981-1983
1976-1981
1981-1982
1981-1983
Additions and alterations, 1983 September 13
Bimah and handrail renovation, 2004-2006
Merger of temple and synagogue, 1972-1974, undated
Mt. Tabor Road Farm, 1958-1985, undated
Mt. Tabor Road plot plan, 1959 January 12
Religious school expansion poster, undated
Renewed building dedication, 1984
Frankel and Curtis proposed Sabbath school addition general floor plan, 1948 January 5
Frankel and Curtis proposed additions, 1948 October 27
Frankel and Curtis floor plan, undated
Frankel and Curtis preliminary study of proposed addition to educational wing, 1954 November 11
Johnson Romanowitz additions and alterations programming drawing, 1982 May 11
Johnson Romanowitz additions and alterations programming plan, 1982 July 31
Johnson Romanowitz additions and alterations programming plan, 1982 August 16
Johnson Romanowitz additions and alterations programming plan, 1982 August 23
Johnson Romanowitz additions and alterations schematic drawing, 1983 January 3
City-County Planning Commission TAI site map, 1970
- Folder 1, item 10
Scope and Contents
Separated from materials for congregational meeting on May 17, 1970.
History and anniversaries, 1920-2006, undated
"Bon Vogage S. S. Adath Israel Captain Grafman" scrapbook, 1938
History, 2002, undated
History of Kentucky, undated
History of Temple Adath Israel, 1937-1986, undated
History of TAI Scrapbook, 1920-2002, undated
Scrapbook-TAI, 1982-1985
50th Anniversary, 1950-1954
75th Anniversary, 1975-1978, undated
75th anniversary, 1978-1979
75th anniversary celebration brochure, 1979 March 25
75th anniversary t-shirt, undated
85th Anniversary, 1988
100th Anniversary, 2001-2004
100th anniversary, 2003-2006
100th Anniversary Commemorative Book of Temple Adath Israel: 1904-2004, 2004
100th anniversary, flyers and news, 2003-2004, undated
100th anniversary time capsule
- Item 2
Scope and Contents
Decorated tin "created for the Temple's 100th Anniversary and should be opened at the 125th! Jane Crise 5/2/04."
100th anniversary VHS tape: Eric Yoffie, 2004 April 23
Officers and rabbis, 1920-2004, undated
Scope and Contents
Comprises correspondence, files, and scrapbooks that document TAI presidents, rabbis, and officers, including the Temple's first full-time rabbi, Samuel H. Goldenson.
Harold Baker correspondence, 1950
President Harold Baker, 1959-1962
President James Frankel, 1959-1960
President James Frankel, 1960-1961
President Dr. Leonard Lipton, 1966-1973
President Harry M. Miller, 1969-1970
President Sam Milner, 1959-1965
President I. Allen Paritz, 1956-1961
Vice President Stanley Rose, 1966-1981
President Dr. Saul Rubin, 1973-1975, undated
President Stanley B. Scher, 1971-1973
President Dr. Charles Schwartz, 1973-1975, undated
President Charles Stern, 1973-1981
Rabbi Maurice Davis article, undated
Rabbi Samuel H. Goldenson, Volume 1, 2003-2004
Rabbi Samuel H. Goldenson, Volume II, 2003
Rabbi Samuel H. Goldenson, World Problems and Personal Religion, 1975
Rabbi Milton L. Grafman, 1926-1942
Rabbi Milton L. Grafman, 1933-1996
Rabbi Milton L. Grafman correspondence and clippings, 1933-1997
Board Secretary Dr. Martin P. Kaplan, 1969-1970
Moses Kaufman, 1920-1974, undated
Moses Kaufman clippings, 1919-1920
Treasurer Dr. Ira Mersack, 1980
Secretary and Treasurer Jack L. Miller, 1966-1976
Administrator Herman Straus, 1972-1975
Herschel Weil, 1951-1975
Officer correspondence, 1946-1947
Officer correspondence, 1948
Officer correspondence, 1949
Officer correspondence, 1949-1953, undated
Government letters, 1973-1974
Government letters, 1973-1982
Printed materials, 1908-2014, undated
Scope and Contents
Comprises bulletins, yearbooks, and confirmation pamphlets that document Temple members and the congregation's celebrations of faith.