OVERVIEW & USAGE

The collections related to the life and career of Abba Hillel Silver consist of personal and professional correspondence, sermons, writings, speaking engagements files, scrapbooks, miscellaneous personal material, and audio and film recordings.

The largest of the collections, MS-4787, includes minutes, publications, reports, financial statements and confidential notes relating to Rabbi Silver's participation in numerous local and national organizations, especially Zionist groups. Important material relating to the American Zionist Emergency Council, the Zionist Organization of America, the Jewish Agency for Palestine, the United Jewish Appeal, United Palestine Appeal and the American Zionist Policy Committee is found in the collection. Also included is significant material relating to Cleveland Jewish organizations and other local civic groups.

Rabbi Silver's leadership roles in what were probably the most important of the Zionist organizations - the American Zionist Emergency Council (AZEC), and its successor, the American Zionist Council - are documented extensively in this collection. Subjects also include individuals with whom Rabbi Silver corresponded, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Senator Robert A. Taft, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, and Chaim Weizmann.

Rabbi Silver's role in the larger local and national scene is also reflected in his personal correspondence. Letters from the general public include commentary on Rabbi Silver's sermons, articles, and opinions, as well as copies of his replies to these letters. The close ties that Silver maintained with Hebrew Union College are reflected in the many letters concerning alumni affairs and former classmates. Also included are many letters that Silver received during the 1930s and 1940s about Jewish refugees from Europe. These letters describe their plight and requested help in obtaining sponsorship and visas to enter the United States.

The subject of Rabbi Silver's sermons are broad, and range from religious to political, social, philosophical, and cultural concerns. They are important not only as they reflect Rabbi Silver's views, but also as a commentary on current events and the times in which he lived. In his religious sermons, Rabbi Silver spoke on the history of Judaism, the relationship of Judaism with Christianity and other religions, the Bible, and the Jewish viewpoint of world events. Other sermons included his commentary on social problems and issues of the day, such as labor and unemployment, women, youth, education, the family, and old age. Political issues and personalities often became his sermon topics. Examples of his political subjects include the Red Scare of 1919, Prohibition, the Depression, a third term for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the election of a Catholic to the White House. International affairs were often a topic, especially with regard to Hitler and the rise of Nazi Germany, World War II, the plight of European Jews, Zionism and the founding of the state of Israel, and the Cold War.

As in his sermons, Rabbi Silver's writings reflect his broad interests and concerns. International affairs, Zionism, Judaism and religion in general, national politics and social issues, and local issues and concerns are among the topics covered. His articles appeared in scholarly journals, general interest magazines, local and out-of-town newspapers, and in Jewish and religious publications.

The collection also includes film and audio recordings of a small selection of Silver's sermons and special lectures, anniversaries, or other special engagements.