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Jewish Family Service of St. Paul records

 Collection
Identifier: umja0011

Scope and Content

This collection includes administrative materials from multiple iterations of the organization over time, consisting of: board and committee meeting minutes, correspondence, reports, and annual meeting minutes dating from 1897 to 1990.

Dates

  • Creation: 1897-1990

Creator

Use of Materials

The majority of the collection is open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room. Some materials are restricted, which is noted in the collection contents; researchers must receive permission from the Jewish Family Service of St. Paul to view the materials. Please contact the archivist of the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives for further information.

Copyright

Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives; please contact the archives for more detailed copyright information.

Historical Note

The Jewish Family Service of St. Paul can be traced back to 1911 when it was first known as the Jewish Charities of St. Paul. In their mission they stated "the purpose of this corporation shall be the relief and prevention of want and pauperism among the Jews of the city of St. Paul, to aid the sick, the aged, the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the delinquent, and by proper means to prevent want, distress and delinquency." In the 1920s, as the field of social work changed, there was a strong emphasis on "child guidance work," as the organization worked with children who came into conflict with the law. In 1935 the agency changed their name to the Jewish Welfare Association, providing less mass relief as they focused more towards concrete social services and counseling. Finally, the name was changed after World War II to the now used Jewish Family Service. Major programs have included settlement of displaced persons after World War II and Soviet Jews as well as helping with the aged. Major funding has been provided by both the United Fund of St. Paul and the United Jewish Fund and Council. The Jewish Family Service still serves St. Paul communities, with a mission to "assist individuals and families by helping them build on their strenghts to develop the skills and confidence to meet life's challenges with dignity." Their website can be found at http://www.jfssp.org.

Extent

2.3 Cubic Feet (2 paige boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists of meeting minutes and administrative materials related to the social services provided by the Jewish Family Service of St. Paul organization.

Source of acquisition

Donated to the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest by the Jewish Family Service of St. Paul.

Title
Jewish Family Service of St. Paul records, 1897-1990
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Kate Dietrick
Date
March 2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Collecting Area Details

Contact The Upper Midwest Jewish Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-625-0192