Young Men’s Hebrew Association and Young Women’s Hebrew Association (New Bedford, Mass.) records
Collection
Identifier: MC-071
Scope and Contents
Divided into 3 series, the collection consists of joint YMHA/YWHA materials such as photographs, a convention program, notes, and newspaper clippings (Series I). Items which are specific to the YMHA include cancelled checks and a speech and comprise Series II. Items specific to the YWHA include a photograph, two checkbooks, cancelled checks, bank statements, suppliers’ receipts, correspondence, and newspaper clippings and comprise Series III.
Dates
- Records, 1914 – 1988 (bulk 1922 – 1926)
- Majority of material found within 1922 - 1926
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted
Biographical / Historical
The Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) was first organized in Baltimore in 1854; the Young Women’s Hebrew Association (YWHA) was organized as an annex to the New York YMHA in 1888. These associations began with the mission to provide assistance to Jewish immigrants, along with cultural, educational, and social activities. On a national level, in 1917, the YMHA and the YWHA merged and became known as the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB). The JWB chapters were later renamed as Jewish Community Centers, though some retained the YMHA/YWHA designation. The exact beginnings of the New Bedford chapter of the YMHA are not known, though in 1911, the New England chapter of YMHA formed and by 1922 consisted of 50 local organizations throughout the area, including the New Bedford chapter. The New Bedford chapter of the YWHA got its start in 1909, when twelve girls banded together and called themselves The Clover Leaf Club. The club grew in size and eventually became affiliated with the New England chapter of YWHA, which had been formed in 1913.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of various individuals including Shirley Cohen, Edith and Nathan Dondis, Sybil
Jackson, Gertrude Gollis.
Processing Information
Maura McGurk ’07, June 2006
- Title
- MC 71, Young Men’s Hebrew Association and Young Women’s Hebrew Association (New Bedford, Mass.) records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Maura McGurk
- Date
- June 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Claire T. Carney Library Archives and Special Collections, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Repository