The following is a list of the various collections that are currently found in the archives of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware.
The size of the collections can range from 1 box to 30 boxes. Many collections have a separate finding aid and/or container list.
ABLEMAN FAMILY — Prominent Jewish Family in Southern Delaware involved in civic and political affairs. Misc. records.
ADAS KODESCH SHEL EMETH CONGREGATION—Traditional/Orthodox congregation in Wilmington. Founded in 1885, it is the oldest existing Jewish congregation in the state. Records from 1898 to the present.
ADULT INSTITUTE OF JEWISH STUDIES — Educational lectures and courses held at the Jewish Community Center. Established in 1991, local synagogues, organizations, and the Jewish Community Center sponsor the Institute. Records from 1993 to the present.
ASSOCIATED HEBREW SCHOOLS — Community Hebrew school located in downtown Wilmington. Existed from ca. 1943 to 1956.
BETH EL TEMPLE—Reconstructionist congregation located in Newark, Delaware home of the University of Delaware. Founded in 1954 as the “Newark Jewish Community”. Records from 1954 to the present.
BETH EMETH CONGREGATION—Reform congregation in Wilmington. Chartered in 1906, it is the only reform congregation on the Delmarva Peninsula. Records from 1906 to the present.
BETH SHALOM CONGREGATION — Conservative congregation in Wilmington founded in 1922. Records from 1922 to the present.
BETH SHOLOM CONGREGATION, DOVER — Conservative congregation located in Dover, Delaware the capital of the state. Serves Kent and Sussex Counties. Founded in 1936. Records from the 1950s to the present.
LADIES BICHOR CHOLEM SOCIETY — Jewish welfare society founded informally in 1897 in Wilmington. The group was formally organized in 1902. Known popularly as the Bichor Cholem Society, it was incorporated into the present-day Milton and Hattie Kutz Home Auxiliary in 1960. Records from the 1920s to the 1950s.
BLATMAN FAMILY — Wilmington Jewish family. Owned Blatman’s Sanitary Kosher Bakery on West Second Street. Records and photographs from 1930s to the 1970s.
BLUESTONE, HARRY — (1901-1977) Prominent Jewish Delawarean and respected social worker. Executive Director of the Jewish Community Center in Wilmington from 1945 – 1960. Founding member of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware. This extensive collection contains records and papers from most Delaware Jewish institutions, and well as Mr. Bluestone’s personal papers.
B’NAI B’RITH WILMINGTON LODGE 470 — Local lodge of this international organization. One of the oldest Jewish organizations in the state, founded in 1898. Records from 1898 to the present.
B’NAI B’RITH HOUSE — Senior citizen housing located in Claymont, Delaware. Dedicated in 1979. Records from 1979 to the present.
B’NAI B’RITH HILLEL — University of Delaware chapter of this student organization sponsored by B’nai B’rith International. Founded in 1948. Abe and Pearl Kristol Hillel Student Center in Newark, Delaware dedicated in 1993. Records from 1950s to the present.
BOOK AND PERIODICAL COLLECTION — Growing collection of books on Delaware Jewish topics, Delaware Jewish authors, Jewish genealogy, and on general Jewish topics. Included are a variety of American Jewish history journals. The Jewish Encyclopedia, American Jewish Yearbook, American Jewish History, and American Jewish Archives Quarterly are just a few important items on our “bookshelf”.
BRANDYWINE COUNTRY CLUB — Located on Shipley Road in Brandywine Hundred, this institution was founded in 1945 when Jews were not admitted to local country clubs.
CANNON FAMILY — Prominent Jewish family in Northern Delaware. Records from 1915 to 1988.
CEMETERIES — Miscellaneous Records relating to many of the Jewish cemeteries located in Delaware.
FRANK AND YETTA CHAIKEN CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES — The Frank and Yetta Chaiken Center for Jewish Studies is located on the campus of the University of Delaware in Newark. The center was established in 1994 through the generosity of Frank (1921-1995) and Yetta Chaiken (1922-2020). It houses the Jewish Studies Program, which began in 1990.
CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF DELAWARE — Local branch of this outreach organization. The Wilmington Chabad Center in North Wilmington was established in 1987, as was the Chabad House of the University of Delaware in Newark.
CHESED SHEL EMETH CONGREGATION — Orthodox congregation in Wilmington founded in 1901. Merged with Adas Kodesch Congregation in 1957 to form the present day Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Congregation. Records from 1901 to 1950s.
COBIN, HERBERT L. AND LILLIAN FOX COBIN — (1908-1992) & (1912-1988) Prominent Wilmington Jewish family. Family Court Judge and Children’s activist. Records include photographs, personal items and career records.
CODOR, BEN V. — (1904-1952) Former Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Delaware. Leading Jewish Delawarean. Records from 1930s to 1984. Includes posthumous tributes.
COHEN, MAX AND JESSIE — (1874-1943) & (1876-1951) Prominent Jewish Delawareans. Active in business and civic affairs and various Jewish philanthropic organizations in Delaware and in Israel. Established the “Max & Jessie Cohen Settlement” in Holon, Israel. Records from 1911 to 1957.
COHEN, MORRIS AND SADIE — 20th century Wilmington Jewish family. Active in Jewish Community affairs and a variety of other areas. Misc. records v COHEN, PHILIP — (1907-1975) Leading Delaware Jewish citizen active in many organizations. Personal papers 1929 to the 1960s.
DELAWARE INTER-RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE — Social Justice committee established in 1966 to bring various religious groups together to combat various social ills. . Records 1966-1969.
DELAWARE JEWRY — Vertical file of historical studies and journal articles relating to the history of the Jewish Community in Delaware.
DELAWARE ZIONIST COUNCIL — Local chapter founded in 1961 of the American Zionist Council. Misc. records. Only in existence for a few years.
ECONOMY SHOP –Non-profit resale shop: operated by the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Delaware. Located at 625 King Street in Wilmington, the shop was opened in 1965 and operated until the mid 1980s.
ALBERT EINSTEIN ACADEMY — Jewish day school founded in 1970 and located in Wilmington on the campus of the Jewish Community Center. The Albert Einstein Academy is the only Jewish day school in Delaware. Records from 1958 to the present.
FARBAND LABOR ZIONIST ORDER — Records of the local branch of this organization. Achad Ha’am Branch #258 was founded in 1930. No longer in existence. Records and documents from 1930 to approximately the 1980s.
FEDERATION OF JEWISH WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS — Women’s group founded in 1938 and active in the 1940s and 1960s. Name changed to “Delaware Bureau of Jewish Women’s Organizations” in 1954. Group merged with the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Delaware in 1969. Records from 1939 to 1969.
FINE FAMILY — Papers of a local Wilmington Jewish family. Records include family history research.
FINESMITH FAMILY — Papers of a local Wilmington Jewish family.
FINGER FAMILY– Prominent and historic Delaware Jewish family. One of the earliest Jewish families in the state. Louis Finger (1869-1909) was the first Jewish postman. He formed a branch of B’nai Zion, the first Zionist organization in Delaware in 1898 and was active in many community organizations. Aaron Finger (1890-1969) was the first Jewish judge in the state. Records and papers from 1897 to present.
FINKELSTEIN, I. B. — (1884 -1973) Prominent Wilmington civic and business leader Active in organizations throughout the state of Delaware. Papers from 1930 to 1985.
FRANK, WILLIAM PENN (BILL) — (1905 -1989) Noted Jewish journalist and member of Wilmington Jewish Community. Papers and records from the 1920s to the 1980s. Frank was a founding member of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware and extensive material also exists in the collections of the Historical Society of Delaware.
FUNERAL HOMES — Misc. records relating to Jewish funeral homes in Delaware. Schoenberg’s Memorial Chapel and its predecessor Harold’s Memorial Chapel.
GEFFEN, RABBI DAVID — (1938 – ) Former rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington. Founding member of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware and noted researcher and author. Collection contains articles, notes, and primary sources on Delaware Jewish history; papers as rabbi, community involvement and activities; and personal papers. Extensive collection.
GEWIRTZ, LEONARD B. & GLADYS S. — (1918 – 2003) and ( – 2019) Rabbi of Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Synagogue from 1947 to 1988. Misc. Records and articles. See also Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Collection.
GINNS, SALLY TOPKIS — (1880 – 1976) Leading Delaware Jew. Active in the Women’s movement and many other arenas. Papers from 1880s to 1976.
GOLDBERG FAMILY — Wilmington family involved in a variety of Jewish organizations for many years including the Kutz Home and Auxiliary and the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware. Papers from early 1900s to the present.
GRATZ COLLEGE HEBREW HIGH SCHOOL — Records of Wilmington Delaware Branch of Gratz College, Inc., documenting a Jewish educational institution affiliated with the oldest Hebrew College in the Western hemisphere. Delaware Gratz offered a five-year program for students from grades 7 to 12. Records from 1965-1998.
GREENBAUM/BRESLIN FAMILY — Delaware Jewish family dating to the early 1900s. Samuel Greenbaum (1873 – 1921), an Austrian immigrant, was the first president of Congregation Beth Emeth in Wilmington. Records and papers ca. 1900 to 1980s.
GOLDEN AGE CLUB OF WILMINGTON — Local chapter organized in 1954 of a nationwide movement of such clubs. Misc. records. See also the Jewish Community Center Collection.
GOLDEY FAMILY — Prominent non-Jewish family, founders of the Goldey Beacom College located in suburban Pike Creek Valley. Includes artifacts from a trip to “Palestine” ca. 1900.
GRATZ COLLEGE HEBREW HIGH SCHOOL — Wilmington branch of the noted Philadelphia institution founded in 1895. Local branch founded in 1965. Records from 1965 to the present
HADASSAH, WILMINGTON CHAPTER — Local chapter founded in 1929 of this noted women’s organization. Records from 1929 to the present.
HADASSAH, NEWARK CHAPTER — Newark chapter of Hadassah. Misc. records 1980s and 1990s.
HEBREW CHARITY ASSOCIATION — Charitable organization founded in Wilmington in 1899 and incorporated in 1902. Name changed to “Jewish Welfare Association of Wilmington, Delaware” in 1930. In 1960 the name was changed to “Jewish Family Service”. Misc. records.
HERRMANN, JUDGE DANIEL L. — (1913-1991) Former Delaware Chief Justice and Jewish Community leader. The Courthouse on Rodney Square in downtown Wilmington is named in recognition of his contributions. Papers from 1951 to 1986 mainly regarding his career.
HOLOCAUST — This collection includes materials relating to the Delaware Holocaust Memorial in downtown Wilmington, the Righteous Gentiles Memorial and Children’s Memorial both on the grounds of the Jewish Community Center in Talleyville; Delaware Yom HaShoah commemorations and observances; the Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Resource Center/Collection; and general Holocaust materials. Records, videos, papers from 1933 to the present.
HUG IVRI — Hebrew Speaking Circle founded in 1946 in Wilmington. Records 1946 to 1980s. No longer active. See also Harry Bluestone Collection. ISRAEL — General materials relating to the State of Israel.
ISRAEL BONDS — Materials relating to the Israel Bond program in Delaware. JEWISH BUSINESSES — Papers, records, advertisements, and memorabilia related to a variety of Jewish-owned businesses in Delaware. Early 20th century to the present.
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER — Records, papers, and memorabilia etc. relating to the programs, activities, locations and history of the Wilmington Jewish Community Center. Located on Garden of Eden Road in Talleyville the Jewish Community Center was call ed the YM-YWHA from 1901 to 1926; the Adas Kodesch Center from 1927 to 1932; the YM-YWHA again from 1935 to 1954; and the JCC from 1954 to the present time. Records from its founding in 1901 to the present.
JEWISH COMMUNITY CEMETERY ASSOCIATION — Organization founded in 1951 to oversee what were separate Jewish sections of the Lombardy Cemetery. 7 MANUSCRIPT AND ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS The organization now owns and administers the Jewish Community Cemetery. The grounds were formally dedicated as such in 1955.
JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE — Founded in the 1940s, the Committee is the public relations arm of the Jewish Federation of Delaware. Originally known as the Jewish Community Relations Council. Records 1940s to the present.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE — Documents and papers from Jewish Family Service of Delaware founded in 1900 as the Hebrew Charity Association. Offices are located on the campus of the Jewish Community Center. The Jewish Family Service was known as the Jewish Welfare Service of Wilmington, Delaware from 1930 to 1960. In 1960 the name was changed to Jewish Family Service of Delaware. Records from 1900 to the present. Some items are restricted regarding use.
JEWISH FARMERS — Misc. records and articles relating to Jewish farmers in central and southern Delaware (Kent & Sussex Counties) from the late 19th century to the present-day.
JEWISH FEDERATION OF DELAWARE — Records, papers, and memorabilia from the Jewish community’s major fundraising and planning organization. Founded in the 1935 as an umbrella organization, the JFD was an outgrowth of the General Jewish Committee. The Jewish Federation of Delaware was incorporated in 1936. Records from the 1930s to the present. The largest collection in the JHSD archives.
JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE — Founded in 1975 and incorporated in 1976, the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware is the only organization of its kind in the state. Records, and memorabilia relating to the programs, activities, and administration of the society from 1975 to the present.
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND — Local chapter established in 1948. Misc. records
JEWISH VOICE — Local English-language Jewish newspaper founded in 1943. Currently owned by the Jewish Federation, the newspaper is published every two weeks. Paper issues from 1943 to the present. Microfilm issues from 1944; 1960 to 1983 are also available. Collection also contains misc. administrative records.
JEWISH WAR VETERANS — Various records and photographs from the Department of Delaware of the Jewish War Veterans. The Harry J. Fineman Post #525, the first in Delaware was founded in 1946-47.
JEWISH WELFARE BOARD — Documents of the local chapter (no longer in existence) of this national Veteran’s organization. Misc. records.
KEIL FAMILY — Long established Wilmington Jewish family involved in civic, government, political and business affairs in the state. Records ca. 1897 to the present.
KEIL MOTOR COMPANY – KEILS, INC. — Wilmington business founded in 1919 by Max Keil (1878-1969). Specialized in automobiles, appliances etc. Records, photographs & memorabilia. The business closed in the early 1970s.
KRAFT, RABBI JACOB — (1904 – 1988) Records, papers and memorabilia relating to the rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington from 1930 to 1970. Rabbi Kraft was Rabbi Emeritus from 1970 until his death in 1988.
MILTON & HATTIE KUTZ FOUNDATION — Philanthropic and charitable organization incorporated in 1976. Milton (1883-1953) and Hattie (1890-1965) Kutz were prominent Delaware Jews active in business, leadership and philanthropic areas.
MILTON & HATTIE KUTZ HOME — Known popularly as just the Kutz Home, Inc. this Jewish nursing home traces its roots to the Ladies Bichor Cholem Society founded in the late 19th century. The name was changed to the Kutz Home in 1960 when the original portion of the current facility was built. Records, photographs and memorabilia from the 1950s to the present.
MILTON & HATTIE KUTZ HOME AUXILIARY — Women’s auxiliary group of the Milton and Hattie Kutz Home. Founded as the Ladies Bichor Cholem Society, the group became known as the Auxiliary in 1960 when the former Jewish Home became the Kutz Home. Records from the 1950s to the present.
LAZARUS, CLAIRE — (1914- ?) Correspondence of an early Russian immigrant in Wilmington to relatives in Russia. Mrs. Lazarus was related to J.M. Lazarus founder of the Wilmington Dry Goods Company.
LEVENBERG, MORRIS — (1914-1990) Papers and memorabilia of a leading Delaware judge, active member of B’nai B’rith and a past president of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware.
LEVITT, AARON — (1884-1938) Papers of a well-known Wilmington businessman.
LEVY, NATHAN — (1839-1927) Papers of a leading 19th century Jewish resident of Delaware who fought in the Civil War and was a leader of the new community from the time of his arrival in Wilmington in the 1890s.
MILBOUER FAMILY — Wilmington Jewish family. Myron Milbouer began the Social Security Administration Office in Wilmington. Misc. professional papers and family records, 1930s to 1980s.
MONTEFIORE MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY — Founded in 1879 and incorporated in 1883 as the Moses Montefiore Mutual Benefit Society. This organization is the oldest Jewish organization in the state and functions primarily as a burial society. Records from the early 19th century to the 1980s.
NCCJ-DELAWARE REGION — Affiliate of the National Conference for Community and Justice (known as the National Conference of Christians and Jews before 1998). Local group founded in 1946 by Rabbi Jacob Kraft and others to help reduce prejudice and promote community building. Records 1990s.
OBITUARY COLLECTION — Collection of Jewish obituaries found in the Wilmington News Journal newspaper (including some obits from the Delaware Jewish Voice). 1980s to the present.
PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION — A sub-collection of the Jewish Historical Society Collection, contains photographs of people and institutions of the Delaware Jewish Community. Photographs are also found in other collections and in the oversize file drawers.
PIONEER WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION — Local chapter founded in 1932 in Wilmington. Group active until ca. 1980s. Misc. records.
ROBIN, ALBERT — (1874-1927) Papers of one of the earliest known Jewish physicians in Wilmington and in Delaware. Dr. Robin was active in public health issues and a trustee of the Tower Hill School, 1919-1927.
SHTOFFMAN FAMILY — Records, Family data, and memorabilia relating to this Wilmington Jewish family active in retail ventures and community affairs. Includes extensive Delaware political memorabilia.
SIMCHA COLLECTION — Collection of invitations, announcements etc. from weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, anniversaries etc.
SKLUT, MOLLYE — (1906-2006) Well-known personality in Delaware. Corresponded with soldiers during World War Two while secretary at the YM-YWHA in Wilmington. Collection of letters is known as the “Dear Molly Letters”. Collection contains letters as well as information on Miss Sklut.
SNELLENBERG, DAVID — (1872-1955) Leading Wilmington businessman and Jewish community leader in the early 20th century. Scrapbook.
SOLIS FAMILY — Papers and records of a very early Jewish family in Delaware. Jacob and Daniel Solis were Jewish merchants in Wilmington in the early 19th century.
TOPKIS, EMILE — (1890-1985) Noted Delaware Jewish history researcher. Member of a leading Jewish family in Delaware. Contains valuable notes and papers on Jews in Delaware from pre-Revolutionary days to the mid-20th century.
TOPKIS, WILLIAM — (1878-1925) Papers of a prominent local Jewish citizen active in the Palestine Foundation in the 1920s. Well-known businessman involved with the development of many theaters in Wilmington.
TOPKIS FAMILY — Papers and memorabilia relating to this prominent Delaware Jewish family that dates to the 1880s. One of the oldest continuous Jewish families in the state.
WILMINGTON DRY GOODS COMPANY — Landmark business in Wilmington founded ca. 1924 by J.M. Lazarus. Closed around 1979. Records, memorabilia 1940s to 1979. Collection also contains data on Erdman Kuhn (1904-1980).
WORKMAN’S CIRCLE BRANCH #69 — Local branch established in 1906 of this national organization devoted to Yiddish history and culture. Group lasted until the 1980s. Misc. records.
YOUNG, H. ALBERT — (1904 – 1982) Papers of Delaware Jewish lawyer and first Jewish Attorney General of Delaware.
YOUNG, STUART B. — (1935 – 2014) Papers of Delaware Jewish lawyer. President, Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of the Delaware College of Art and Design, Chairman of the Delaware State Arts Council, President of the Delaware Art Museum, and the Holocaust Memorial Committee.
YOUNG, TONI P. — Community leader and historian. Author of Becoming American, Remaining Jewish, . Records include research on the Grand Opera house and the early Delaware Jewish community history.