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Beth Shalom Synagogue Records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1133

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a variety of records of the Beth Shalom synagogue over the course of its history from 1989-2012. Included are meeting minutes for congregational meetings and governing board meetings, newsletters, yearbooks, and financial records. Also in the collection are a variety of records relating to the purchase and renovation of the synagogue building, the affiliation of the synagogue with the Union for Reform Judaism, the Jewish student organization at Auburn University, the three rabbis serving the synagogue, and the weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs of various members of the synagogue. Finally, the collection contains three scrapbooks with photographs documenting the activities of the synagogue; original blueprints for the synagogue building from 1960; proclamations of Holocaust Days of Remembrance from the mayors of Auburn and Opelika, the probate judge of Lee County, and the governor of Alabama; and posters with photographs of teachers and children in Beth Shalom’s Hebrew school.

Dates

  • 1960-2012

Conditions Governing Access

Open, with the exception of Box 2 on Rabbi Steven Silvern, which is closed until 12/10/2062, 50 years after the donation of this collection.

Biographical / Historical

In March 1989, members of the Jewish community in east Alabama established the Beth Shalom synagogue in Auburn. The synagogue has been active ever since. Beth Shalom has had three rabbis: Sol Landau (1989-1990), John Rosenblatt (1990-1991), and Steven Silvern (2001-2004). For most of its history, however, the congregation has been lay-led. In 1992, the synagogue purchased an old Christian Science church building to meet in. The congregation joined the Union for Reform Judaism in 2009.

Extent

2.5 Cubic Feet (1 RC box, 1 1/2 doc box, 1 OS flat box )

Language of Materials

English

Title
Guide to the Beth Shalom Synagogue Records
Author
Processed by: David McRae Digitized by: Noah Biblis
Date
01/24/2013; 03/01/2020
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Auburn University Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Auburn University
Ralph Brown Draughon Library
231 Mell Street
Auburn Alabama 36849
334-844-1732