Finding Aid for the Rabbi Isaac Klein Papers, 1925-1979

Biographical Note

Rabbi Isaac Klein was born in a village in Czechoslovakia on September 8, 1905. He migrated to the United States in 1920, determined to further his already considerable Judaic education. This brought him eventually to the Isaac Elchanan Yeshiva (now part of Yeshiva University). Meanwhile he completed high school and received his bachelor's degree from the City College of New York. He earned his way through school by teaching part time.

As he was nearing ordination at the Yeshiva he transferred to the Jewish Theological Seminary of America where he was ordained in 1934. Previously, in 1932, he had married Henriette Levin and was blessed by three children: Hannah (Mrs. Paul Katz), Miriam (Mrs. Saul Shapiro), and Rivkah (Mrs. Gerald Berkowitz).

Rabbi Klein's first pulpit was Kodimoh Congregation, Springfield, Massachusetts, where he served until 1953 except for government service. He proved to be an outstanding chaplain and the story of those years is told in one of his many books. In 1950-1951, appointed by President Truman, he directed Jewish religious affairs in the American occupied sector of Germany. During his Springfield years, Rabbi Klein accomplished two outstanding feats. He received a Ph.D. in 1948 from Harvard University under the sponsorship of the late Professor Harry B. Wolfson. Even more difficult, Rabbi Klein was one of only two men in the century-old history of the Seminary to receive full ordination (S'micha).

In 1953 Rabbi Klein accepted the pulpit of Temple Emanuel in Buffalo, New York. In 1968 this synagogue merged with Temple Beth David to become Temple Shaarey Zedek. Rabbi Klein retired in 1972, spending his winters in California where he taught at the University of Judaism, lectured widely and, despite failing health, wrote many books and articles. His magnum opus, A GUIDE TO JEWISH RELIGIOUS PRACTICE, was published posthumously. A towering figure among the Conservative rabbis of his generation, Rabbi Klein leaned toward tradition both in personal practice and his influence on the movement.

Rabbi-Klein died in Los Angeles on January 23, 1979 and was buried in Buffalo, New York.

Container List

Series I: Biographical information

1.1			Biographical information, 1925-1976
1.2			Undated biographical info
1.3-1.4			News clippings, 1950s-1979
1.5			Photographs, including family
1.6			Letters received after Klein's death (January 23, 1979)
1.7			Family material
1.8			Miscellaneous items
1.25			Offers of other positions - Jewish Theological Seminary, 1958
1.26			Rabbinical positions sought, including agreement with Kodimah, Springfield (1934-1952)
15.1			Photographs, Rabbi Klein
15.2			Photographs, Military
15.3-15.5			Photographs, Family
15.6			Photographs, World War II
15.7			Photographs, 1946-1949, War photos and later
15.8			Photographs, 1950-1959
15.9			Photographs, 1956-1959, Springfield, Massachusetts
15.10			Photographs, 1960-1969,Buffalo, New York
15.11			Photographs/Military, Mitchell Field, New York
15.12			Correspondence, Military
15.13			Clippings/Dated, in Hebrew
15.14-15.15			Clippings, 1940-1949
15.16			Correspondence, Civilian
15.17-15.22			Clippings, 1950-1974, undated
15.23			Photo album
15.24			Wedding photograph
15.25-15.26			Scrapbooks

Series II: Correspondence

1.29-1.32			Personal Correspondence, 1934-1936, 1937-1939, 1940-1953
2.23			Correspondence -- Rabbi Neil Gillman, Guide
2.24			Correspondence -- Mordecai M. Kaplan, 1959
2.25			Correspondence -- Re: Guide
2.26			Correspondence -- Dr. Louis Finkelstein Jewish Theological Seminary Pastoral letters 1960s
2.27			Correspondence -- Buffalo Years, 1953-1973, undated
2.28			Correspondence -- Buffalo Years, 1953-1959
3.1-3.3			Correspondence -- Buffalo Years, 1960-1973
3.4			Correspondence -- Professor Leon Nemoy, Dropsie College 1970
3.5			Correspondence -- Post retirement, 1974-1979

Series III: Education

2.1-2.14			Class notebooks [14]
2.15-2.16			Class notes, 1932-1933
1.9			Masters thesis, Massachusetts State College, 1937
1.10			Student days Jewish Theological Seminary - Jewish subjects
1.11			Student days Jewish Theological Seminary - Secular subjects
1.12-1.13			Student days Jewish Theological Seminary - Miscellaneous papers submitted
1.14			Correspondence with Jewish Theological Seminary, 1935-1940
1.15			Introduction to course by Louis Ginzberg (Jewish Theological Seminary)
1.16			Torah Convocation Scrapbook, 1959
1.17			Correspondence with Louis Ginzberg, 1930s
1.18			Correspondence - Hattarat Horaah
1.19			Correspondence - Ph.D. Harvard
1.20			Activities, 1945-1948 (includes booklet)

Series IV: Publications

1.21			Correspondence regarding Publications
1.22			Publications: Printed reviews
1.23			Local speeches, 1960s
1.24			Out-of-town speeches, 1960s
1.27			Correspondence regarding A Time to be Born (USY Sourcebook, 1977)
1.28			Visit to Argentina, 1964
1.33			Move to Buffalo, 1953
1.34			Michael Arm, 1958-1962
1.35			College Material, 1950s-1960s
2.17			Manuscript material from Rabbi Klein's first book, The Ten Commandments in a Changing World 1942
2.18-2.20			Partial manuscript of book published in 1974
2.21-2.22			Typed manuscript (partial) Guide to Jewish Practices; published posthumously

Series V: Rabbinical Assembly

3.6			Correspondence as Vice-President/President, 1956-1960
3.7			Prepared messages as President, 1958-1960
3.8			Pastoral letters as President, circa 1958-1960
3.9			Executive Committee Minutes, 1949-1972
3.10			Law Committee Dated items, 1949-1978
3.11-3.12			Response of Law Committee, undated
3.13			Law Committee, 1937-1976
3.14-3.18			Minutes of Meetings - Law Committee, 1937-1978
3.19			Program notes on various religious rites
3.20			Miscellaneous material
3.21			Philosophy of the Conservative Movement Material, 1950s
3.22			Installation of Rabbis, including I. Klein

Series VI: Religious Matters

3.23			Material on function of the synagogue, includes notes by Klein
3.24			Scattered notes regarding Conduct of High Holyday Services
4.1			Bulletins Kodimoh Springfield, Massachusetts, 1935-1938
4.2			Kodimoh Synagogue Program Materials Springfield, Massachusetts, 1935-1941
4.3			Men's Clubs Affairs Springfield/Buffalo, 1940-1950s
4.4-4.5			Addresses Springfield, Massachusetts, 1934-1953
4.6-4.7			Radio Addresses, 1938-1947
4.8-4.9			Addresses: Buffalo and elsewhere, 1950s-1970s
4.10			Charles S. Gudowitz Cantor, 1930-1968
4.11			Material collected by I. K. for Shaarey Zedek Bulletin
4.12			Tenure (life) received by I. Klein, 1955
4.29			Manuscript of translation of Maimonides' Book of Acquisitions
4.30			Manuscript material on translation of Maimonides' Book of Acquisition
4.31			Jewish Life and Practices, Notes and Draft
5.1			"Goodwill Sermons" Springfield, Massachusetts
5.2			Address to Cantors Assembly, 1960s
5.3			Wedding sermons, Buffalo/Springfield
5.4			Eulogies
5.5			Article written for Encyclopedia Judaica, 1969
5.6-5.9			Speeches, sermons, miscellaneous topics English
5.10-5.13			Speeches, sermons, miscellaneous topics, English/Yiddish; includes manuscript notes
5.14			Science and ethics, the Jewish View
5.15			Views on abortion
5.16			Adoption: Jewish law; I. K. notes
5.17			Artificial insemination
5.18			Autopsy: Are they permitted under Jewish law?; Klein opinion plus others
5.19			Civil Marriage/Jewish view; law Some material by Klein
5.20			Euthanasia File and opinion
5.21			Handicapped (deaf) and Jewish law
5.22			Transplants and Jewish law
5.23			Radicalism and religion Arbeiter Ring material (Yiddish), 1938
5.24			Women Position under Jewish law
5.25			Miscellaneous topics under law and/or theology
5.26			Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot [second day of festivals], late 1960s
5.27			Revised Ketubah Material [in which Klein was involved]
5.28			Conservative approach to Jewish law Articles by others
5.29			Scope/limit of Takkanah [Special decrees of Rabbis]; includes writings by Klein
5.30			Problem of AGUNAH
5.31			Vatican Council II, 1960s; includes notes by Klein
5.32			Observance of the Sabbath The Conservative View
5.33			Use of the organ in Jewish worship
5.34			Triennial cycle for reading of the Torah
5.35			Prayer revision
5.36			Kashrut problem Miscellaneous material
5.37-5.38			Kashrut matters correspondence, 1949-1972
6.1			Kashrut problem Correspondence, 1972-1977
6.2			Kashrut of gelatin Correspondence/various opinions/commercial adv.
6.3			Halakhic matters inv. Kashrut, 1941-1977
6.4			Halakhic [Orthodox] Notes and news clippings
6.5			Halakhic matters not involving Kashrut, undated correspondence and responses by Klein
6.6			Problem of Halitsah today
6.7			Misc. material in English/Yiddish Probably written by Klein
6.8			Pesach Shevuoth and Succoth sermons and materials, Confirmation material
6.9			Roman Law Responsa Prudentuem, circa early 1960s
6.10			Remarks on Israel and Jerusalem
6.11			Function of a rabbi Printed material from other sources
6.12			Remarks on the sexual revolution of the 1960s, 1965
6.13			Sermons for Selichos and the Sabbath of Repentance
6.14			Yom Kippur Sermons & Sermon notes, 1934-1970s
6.15			Rosh Hashana Sermons, 1930s-1970s
6.16			Purim Materials & Sermons [note: folder contains fragile materials]
6.17			Chanukah Material & correspondence
6.18			Course Material on Judaism, probably prepared for Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) Education Department, 1938
6.19			Course material prepared for teaching at JTS
6.20			Classroom notes of Rabbi Klein for course on Medieval Jewish History
6.21			Controversy over Kashrut of sturgeon and swordfish which centered about Rabbi Klein
6.22			Notes on structure of the liturgy
6.23-6.27			High Holyday sermons Bound, 1939-1973
7.1-7.6			Course material Jewish Life and Practice given by Klein at Jewish Theological Seminary
7.5-7.11			Sermons and related material by other rabbis
7.12-7.13			Rabbinical assembly High Holy Day Seminars, 1961-1976
7.14			Photostat material on various subjects mainly Jewish Medieval Literature
7.15			Sermonic clippings from London Jewish Chronicle
7.16			Misc. Jewish educational material
7.17			Collection of prayers for various occasions Some by Klein
7.18			Material/regulations for Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations
7.19			Thanksgiving Day sermons by IK; programs and materials
7.20			Sermons by IK, also sermonic materials on the Ethics of the Fathers
8.1			Sermon material, Shabbat Hagodal and Pesach
8.2			Laws and procedures for Mechirat Hometz [Passover]
8.3			Material on National Sabbath Observance effort
8.4			Material on the revitalization of the Sabbath (Conservative)
8.5-8.6			SCHECHTAH Jewish ritual slaughter of animals - and the attempt to outlaw it in New York in 1960s
8.7			Yom Ha-Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day
8.8			Zionist activities
8.9-8.10			Religious school plays for various festivals
8.11-8.13			Programs for Jewish education and religious festivals
8.14-8.15			Circumcision
8.16-8.17			Certificates of conversion
8.18			Material on conversion to Judaism, some written by Klein
8.19			Conversion to Judaism Correspondence, 1943-1976
8.20-8.21			Marriage
8.22			Inter-marriage
8.23-8.27			Divorce matters, 1935-1978
8.28-8.29			Death and mourning
8.30			Material relating to Klein teaching in Philosophy Department at University of Buffalo, 1955-1958
8.31			Translation, Book of Acquisition
9.1			Book reviews written by Klein, 1938-1974
9.2			Radio talks, Springfield, Eve of WWII
9.3-9.7			Experiences as Chaplain in WWII
9.8			Sermons, 1941-1945
9.9-9.13			Wartime letters to his family
9.14-9.16			Mission to Germany, 1949-1950
9.17-9.20			Clippings in English
9.21-9.22			News clippings, Yiddish and Hebrew
9.23			Printed material on postwar Germany
9.24			Torah Convocations held by Klein, and JWB (Jewish Chaplains Council)/Government of Bermuda,
9.25			Mission to Hungary, Fall 1956
9.26			Trip to Europe, Bermuda, 1959
9.27			Notebook, Lecture notes on Islam and the Moslem world
10.1			Small books in Hebrew
10.2-10.5			4 index boxes of notes prepared by I. Klein; a set of notes on Jewish liturgy and Jewish Medieval History for courses given at Jewish Theological Seminary
11.1-11.2			Medical Ethics
11.3			Jewish Matters, miscellaneous publications other than Klein
11.4			From Philo to Spinoza, Probably an outline of a course given in the evening session of UB 1950s
11.5			The Anguish and the Ecstasy. Fragment of materials
11.6			The Anguish and the Ecstasy: Memoirs of a Jewish Chaplain, August 1942-January 1946; Typed copy, some autograph sections
11.7			Manuscript of Klein's Laws of Jewish divorce
11.8			Box, Hebrew notes on Ethics of the Fathers by Klein
11.9			Box, 3 x 5 cards in Hebrew on various names and subjects
11.10			News clippings on Klein, 1953-1979
12			Jewish divorces given or held by Klein (Hebrew documents and English translation); also includes note cards and two cassette tapes created during the translation of said records.
13.1			Bound corrected typed copy: Sefer Kinyan, Book XII of Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, Introduction, translation, and commentary
13.2-13.6			Weekly Saturday morning talks and sermons
14			Index cards by Isaac Klein with notes on various subjects

Series VII: Temple Emanuel

4.13			Temple Emanuel Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1950s-1960s
4.14			Temple Emanuel Value of Colvin Ave. Sanctuary
4.15			Temple Emanuel correspondence/publicity Re: Adult Institute
4.16			Temple Emanuel Annual Reports, 1950s-1970s
4.17			Temple Emanuel Graduation/Confirmation programs, 1953-1965
4.18			Abortive move to merge Temples Emanuel - Beth El, 1964
4.19			Temple Emanuel Sisterhood Sabbaths
4.20			Temple Emanuel Staff Meetings Minutes, 1954-1963
4.21			Material concerning youth training, 1960s
4.22			Temple Emanuel Religious Committee, 1961-1972
4.23			Temple Emanuel/Shaarey Zedek Religious School, 1961-1973
4.24			Merger: Temple Emanuel/Beth David Ner Israel to form Temple Shaarey Zedek, 1967-1968
4.25			Dedication of Shaarey Zedek - Tentative programs, 1970; includes dedications in Springfield/Buffalo
4.26			Search for replacement, 1972-1973
4.27-4.28			Temple Emanuel Shofar Kol Shaarey Zedek, 1966-1973

Title:	Rabbi Isaac Klein Papers, 1925-1979
Collection Number:	MS 149
Creator:	Klein, Isaac
Extent:	18 linear feet (13 cartons, 1 manuscript box, 1 custom box)
Language of Material:	Collection material in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.
Repository:	State University of New York at Buffalo. University Archives
Abstract:	Collection of Rabbi Isaac Klein includes school notebooks, correspondence, photographs, military service records, speeches, articles, manuscripts, and other writings relating to his life and teachings in conservative Judaism.