Call Number:

ACC1102

Repository:

Temple University Libraries Special Collections Research Center

Extent:

25.8 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1973-1997

Abstract:

The Jewish Labor Committee, Philadelphia Metropolitan Area was established in the mid 1950s. The organization is a local affiliate of the National Jewish Labor Committee started in 1934 to provide aid to Jews during the Nazi occupation of Europe. The JLC works with various trade unions and outside agencies to address various issues affecting the Jewish community in Philadelphia. Through coordinated efforts with the National Office, in New York City, the agency played a key role in state campaigns for civil rights legislation, in historic civil rights marches of the 1950s and 1960s and the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights. The JLC continues to strengthen the American Jewish community's support of labor's domestic, economic and social positions, and to work with local unions in their support of a secure state of Israel.

The collection contains subject and organization files of the Philadelphia office of the Jewish Labor Committee. Subject files include newspaper clippings, policy statements, press releases, copies of legislation, newsletters, and correspondence. There are some files related to personnel and a director search. The collection also contains some records related to the national biennial convention of the JLC, including memoranda, programs, reports, and draft resolutions. Organization files include minutes, correspondence, memoranda, monthly reports (1973-1981), news clippings, policy statements, press releases, newsletters, and conference programs. Organizations represented include the AFL-CIO, Jewish Community Relations Council, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Philadelphia Committee in Support of Solidarity, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, National Trade Union Council, Negro Trade Union Leadership Council, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and the Ethnic Labor Coalition. The Ethnic Labor Council files include information related to the James H. Jones book scholarship. The collection also includes a number of newsletters and journals including Jewish Frontier, Safer Times, AFL-CIO Legislative Alert, and Workmen's Circle Call. The collection includes materials in Hebrew, Polish, and German. Many files were generated by Alex Wollod, Regional Staff of Philadelphia JLC, as well as Rosalind Spigel, Mike Perry, and Ted Kirsch.