Guide to the Morris B. Benathen Papers
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Collection Overview | |
| Creator: | Benathen, Morris B. |
| Title: | Morris B. Benathen papers |
| Dates: | 1943-1966 |
| Size: | 5 Linear feet |
| Number of Boxes: | 6 manuscript boxes and 2 oversize boxes |
| Abstract: | The collection documents Morris B. Benathen's career in the field of Jewish education. The material relates to his work with the Board of Jewish Education in St. Louis, Missouri, and with Yeshiva University and the Jewish Education Committee in New York, as well as his involvement in Zionist causes and other interests. |
| Languages: | Materials are in English with some Hebrew. |
| Call No: | 1999.004 |
About This Guide
Finding aid encoded April, 2009
Finding aid encoded in English.
Biographical Note
Morris B. Benathen (1908-1966) was a leader in American Jewish education. He served as superintendent of the Board of Jewish Education in St. Louis from 1944-1953, founded and directed several Jewish day schools on the East coast, and was both a consultant to the Jewish Education Committee of New York, and headed their Metropolitan Commission for Talmud Torah Education during the 1950s and 1960s. During this period, Benathen was also an Assistant Professor of Jewish education at Yeshiva University's Teachers Institute for Women, Graduate School of Education and Stern College for Women.
Scope and Contents
The collection documents Morris B. Benathen's career in the field of Jewish education. The material relates to his work with the Board of Jewish Education in St. Louis, Missouri, and with Yeshiva University and the Jewish Education Committee in New York, as well as his involvement in Zionist causes and other interests.
The material on Jewish education forms a large portion of the collection. It consists of curricula and teaching aids for Jewish studies classes, school bulletins, and a copy of a dissertation with Benathen's comments. Material from conferences on Jewish education and statistics on Jewish enrollment in New York City as well as drafts of various lectures and addresses by Benathen are also included. The collection contains some records and reports of the Jewish Education Committee of New York.
A significant part of the collection documents Benathen's activities as superintendent of the Board of Jewish Education in St. Louis (1944-1953). The collection contains the Board of Jewish Education's budget reports, board minutes, a memo on the history of the organization and its practices, surveys of school facilities, a code of salaries and personnel practices, and statistics on Jewish education in the area. Also included is Benathen's work-related correspondence, such as summer school initiatives, some memos on the day school system in St. Louis and his letter of resignation from the Board.
The Yeshiva University material includes letters, exam sheets, and newsletters of the Teachers' Institute for Women at Yeshiva University. Also included are records of a dinner honoring Dr. Pinchas Churgin (1955), exams and reports on courses of Yeshiva's Graduate School of Education, and a list of its Rabbinic alumni.
The Zionist material consists of newspaper articles about Israel and articles in other publications, such as Histadrut and The Nation. Also included are United Nations General Assembly reports, some United Nations press releases, and minutes from a meeting with the Histadrut, the Israeli trade union federation (1947-1948).
Other miscellaneous material includes photographs and other documents relating to the Talmud Torah Council of Brownsville, New York, telegrams of congratulations to Benathen when he was honored by the Metropolitan New York Commission on Talmud Torah Education (1964), and copies of various periodicals.
Index Terms
This collection has been indexed under the following terms:
Organizations:Conditions Governing Access and Use
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is available to researchers deemed to be qualified by the Archivist.
Conditions Governing Use
Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of materials in this collection. Please contact the Curator of Special Collections for information regarding Yeshiva University's reproduction policies and fees.