Abraham Alpert Papers
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains materials pertaining to Abraham Alpert's role as a public figure in Boston's Jewish community. His correspondence includes letters of invitation to a number of events, thank you letters for services rendered, and letters from a number of other public figures, including President Calvin Coolidge. There are news clippings that document his many public roles and activities that helped to serve and aid local Jews, as well as documenting events going on within the Jewish community at the time. This collection also includes programs and flyers for the many meetings Alpert helped to organize.
Dates
- undated, 1900-1947
Creator
- Alpert, Abraham (Person)
Language of Materials
The collection is in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Biographical Note
Born in Kovno, Lithuania, Abraham Alpert immigrated to the United States, and in 1886 settled in Boston, Massachusetts. He learned English while attending night school and would later become an internationally known writer. Under his pen name Ish Kovno (the Man from Kovno), he became well known for his humorous, yet polished, writing. He was the editor of The Boston Jewish American and a correspondent for a number of Yiddish papers in New York. Outside of his writing, he also rose to become a prominent Jewish figure and leader, not just in Boston, but also nationally. One newspaper wrote that there was not a synagogue on the Atlantic coast that had not heard Alpert talk. He helped organize the Boston branch of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and was active there for over 40 years, aiding over 2000 immigrants in receiving citizenship. Much of his work was aimed at helping the Jewish community, for which he organized meetings and events, often as a speaker, to raise funds and awareness of issues that concerned the Jewish community.
References
- Materials in collection.
Chronology
- 1873
- Born in Kovno, Lithuania
- 1886
- Settled in Boston
- 1899
- Married Sarah Bailen
- 1903-1939
- Served as a speaker and organizer for Jewish events
- 1917
- Acted as clerk for what is believed to be the first Rabbinical court held in Boston, concerning two synagogues' claim over Cantor Mordecai Hershman's contract
- 1925
- Took part in the dedication of Temple Agudath Ashkenazim in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- 1934
- Celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary
- 1939
- Died after being ill for some time
Extent
0.5 linear feet (1 manuscript box and 4 OS folders)
Abstract
Born in Kovno, Lithuania, Abraham Alpert immigrated to the United States, and in 1886 settled in Boston, Massachusetts. He learned English while attending night school and would later become an internationally known writer. Outside of his writing, he also rose to become a prominent Jewish figure and leader, not just in Boston but nationally, as well. One newspaper wrote that there was not a synagogue on the Atlantic Coast that had not heard Alpert talk. He helped organize the Boston branch of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and was active there for over 40 years, aiding over 2000 immigrants in receiving citizenship. This collection contains materials pertaining to Abraham Alpert’s role as a public figure in Boston’s Jewish community, including correspondence, news clippings, a scrapbook and programs.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition information unknown.
Processing Information
Processed by Ben Owen and Kelsey Sawyer, 2012
- Title
- Guide to the Abraham Alpert Papers, P-544
- Author
- Processed by Ben Owen and Kelsey Sawyer
- Date
- 2012
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository