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Hebrew Educational Alliance and Congregation Toras Moshe (Boston, Mass.) Records

 Collection
Identifier: I-231

Scope and Content Note

The Hebrew Educational Alliance and Congregation Toras Moshe collection consists of a small group of administrative records, such as a ledger covering the years 1949 to 1952, accounting sheets for 1958 to 1964, and insurance documentation, as well as some correspondence dated 1950 and 1951 to Rabbi B. L. Chayet, blank letterhead stationery, and a list of members of the sisterhood. Also contained in the collection are notices to members of the Congregation, including a notice regarding the liquidation of the Congregation's assets, a souvenir booklet from the Congregation's seventeenth annual banquet, and a donor program from the Sisterhood’s first annual luncheon. Finally, there are three photographs showing members of the Congregation and its cantor.

Dates

  • undated, circa 1949-1964

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English, Yiddish, and Hebrew.

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.

Historical Note

The Hebrew Educational Alliance was formed in Roxbury, Massachusetts and built a two-story community hall there in 1921. Shortly thereafter, they established an orthodox synagogue called Congregation Toras Moshe. Due to changing demographics in the area and the resulting drop in membership, the congregation began contemplating a move in the 1950s and eventually sold the land on which the synagogue sat in 1964 to Holy Mt. Zion Church. Congregation Toras Moshe then voted to merge with Congregation Kadimah of Brighton, MA to form Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe.

References

  1. Material from the collection.
  2. “About Us,” Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe, accessed 8 October 2016, /www.kadimahtorasmoshe.org/our-history.html>.
  3. Gamm, Gerald. Urban Exodus: Why the Jews Left Boston and the Catholics Stayed, 60, 250. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999.

Chronology

1921
The Hebrew Alliance builds a community center in Roxbury, MA.
c. 1921
Congregation Toras Moshe is established.
1964
The synagogue's land in Roxbury is sold.
1964
Congregation Toras Moshe merges with Congregation Kadimah.

Extent

0.5 linear feet (1 manuscript box)

Abstract

The Hebrew Educational Alliance was formed in Roxbury, Massachusetts and built a community hall there in 1921, establishing an orthodox synagogue, Congregation Toras Moshe, soon after. The Congregation sold the land and merged with Congregation Kadimah of Brighton, MA in 1964 to form Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe. The collection contains administrative records, such as ledgers, insurance records, correspondence, and membership lists, as well as documents sent to members of the Congregation, including notices and souvenir booklets. There is also one small group of photographs.

Physical Location

Located in Boston, Mass.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Mrs. I. Bloomfield, 1982.

Processing Information

Processed by Shannon Struble, 2016.

Title
Guide to the Hebrew Educational Alliance and Congregation Toras Moshe (Boston, Mass.) Records, I-231
Author
Processed by Shannon Struble
Date
2016
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

Contact:
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02116 United States
617-226-1245