Call Number:

98

Repository:

Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center

Extent:

25 linear feet (43 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Joseph Krauskopf Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Date:

1858-1925 (inclusive)

Creator:

Krauskopf, Joseph, 1858-1923

Form:

Correspondence, Diaries, Manuscripts, Pamphlets, Photographs, Reports, and Sermons

Abstract:

Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf was one of the most prominent American rabbis of his day. Noted for his dynamic preaching and his firm stance on social justice, Krauskopf was a very well-known figure in the Jewish community.

Krauskopf was born in Ostrowo, Poland in 1858, and came to Fall River, Massachusetts in 1862. In 1875, he entered the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati as a member of its first class, and was ordained in 1883. Upon ordination, Krauskopf accepted the call to Reform Congregation B'nai Jehuda in Kansas City, Missouri. He remained there until 1887 when he accepted the pulpit of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Philadelphia.

At Keneseth Israel, Krauskopf reorganized the religious school, reinstituted Sunday services and further reformed the religious practices of the already liberal congregation. Krauskopf also wrote a prayer book and a service hymnal, and was a major figure in building a new Temple building for Keneseth Israel, which was dedicated in 1892.

Krauskopf was committed to a back-to-the-land ethic, and in 1894 he travelled to Russia to propose to the Russian government to colonize Jews on farms in the Pale. In 1896 Krauskopf founded the National Farm School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, which is now known as the Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture.

In addition to the National Farm School, Krauskopf was involved in a great many other pursuits. He was instrumental in establishing the Jewish Publication Society, the Model Housing Society, and the Keneseth Israel Free Library. A devoted patriot, Krauskopf founded the Patriotic Society of Philadelphia in 1910. Rabbi Krauskopf also was a spokesman for Reform Judaism, and often was called upon to be a representative of the Jewish community in local and national events.

Many assistant rabbis served with Joseph Krauskopf, and most went on to distinguished careers. Krauskopf's assistant rabbis included: Abraham Feldman, James Heller, Isaac Landman, J. Leonard Levy, and Eli Mayer.

Rabbi Krauskopf died on June 12, 1923, after a short illness. David Philipson, a classmate of Krauskopf in the first class at Hebrew Union College, was the principal speaker at the Memorial Services.

The collection consists primarily of Krauskopf's personal correspondence. Outgoing correspondence is arranged by date, incoming correspondence is arranged by correspondent. In addition, the collection includes sermons, pamphlets, reports, photographs, postcards, and related material.