The American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS)

The American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) Est. in 1892, AJHS fosters the awareness and appreciation of American Jewish history

AJHS has over 25 million documents, 50,000 books, 10,000 photographs and thousands of rare artifacts -- many available for viewing by the general public at our reading room and others available digitally from our website: http://www.ajhs.org

Friends at Camp Wehaha, 1922. Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42).
06/17/2026

Friends at Camp Wehaha, 1922. Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42).

Two weeks ago today, we wrapped our 2026 Biennial Scholars Conference at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland! O...
06/16/2026

Two weeks ago today, we wrapped our 2026 Biennial Scholars Conference at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland!

On Monday evening, Dr. Karla Goldman (pictured on left) presented the Lee Max Friedman Award to Dr. Joyce Antler (pictured on right) who is a distinguished author and scholar of American Jewish History and Women's, Gender and Sexuality studies. Dr. Antler founded the Women’s Studies program at Brandeis University in 1975, a time when Women's Studies was largely considered illegitimate by the rest of the faculty. Joyce was a pioneering professor in the program and chair from 1980-1991, her contributions to American Jewish and women's history cannot be overstated or over-celebrated.

Other highlights from the conference include:
- Photo 2 🦸: On stage at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, Dr. Samantha Baskind presented her fascinating research on the history of American comics in keeping with the conference theme of: Up, Up, and Away! Rescue and Reinvention in American Jewish History. Dr. Baskind was joined by AJHS Trustee, Roy Schwartz, for a discussion of America's favorite Jewish superhero: Superman.
- Photo 3 ✍️: On days 1 & 2, attendees gathered in the Excelsior Ballroom for plenary sessions related to the conference theme. Scholars Robin Judd and Shaul Kelner presented on the theme "Rescue", while Thomas Tweed spoke on "Reinvention".
- Photo 4 🎉: Attendees pose with Dr. Joyce Antler after the dinner and awards ceremony held at Congregation Mishkan Or.

The Biennial Scholars Conference would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors AND the incredible dedication of the Conference Committee chaired by Shari Rabin and Alanna Cooper 👏

Esther Hirschkowitz and pals at Tibbets Brook, 1939. :Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42.) ...
06/15/2026

Esther Hirschkowitz and pals at Tibbets Brook, 1939. :Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42.)

Keep basketball fever going! To find your local community team, consider reaching out to your local JCC. HOA residents s...
06/14/2026

Keep basketball fever going! To find your local community team, consider reaching out to your local JCC. HOA residents show their game face, circa 1930.

Volleyball serve from Alvin Jack Sims, the first Jewish mayor of Brockton, Massachusetts, 1964. Brockton YMHA. National ...
06/13/2026

Volleyball serve from Alvin Jack Sims, the first Jewish mayor of Brockton, Massachusetts, 1964. Brockton YMHA. National Jewish Welfare Board (I-337).

Hanging out. Climbing trees and enjoying the view, circa 1930. Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-4...
06/12/2026

Hanging out. Climbing trees and enjoying the view, circa 1930. Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42).

Julie Salamon, New York Times best-selling author and journalist, sits down with author and psychiatrist Michelle Friedm...
06/11/2026

Julie Salamon, New York Times best-selling author and journalist, sits down with author and psychiatrist Michelle Friedman to discuss her career as a psychiatrist and recent book "Divine Corners." Online via zoom, Thursday, June 25th at 12:30pm Eastern. Free with RSVP: https://ajhs.org/events/at-lunch-with-michelle-friedman/

Michelle Friedman is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and teacher whose life and work explore the art of listening and the resilience of the human spirit. Raised on a chicken farm in the Catskills by Holocaust survivor parents, she became a healer devoted to helping others find meaning and repair. In her recent memoir, Divine Corners, Michelle weaves together hair-raising stories of her parents’ wartime survival with vivid memories of life on the farm. Her unflinching yet loving inquiry explores Jewish identity, resilience, and what makes one person break while another survives.

A graduate of Barnard College, NYU School of Medicine, and the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Center, she holds the Sharon and Steven Lieberman Chair in Pastoral Counseling at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. She maintains a private practice in Manhattan, where she lives with her husband.

Lt. Col. Rachel Diane “Rae” Landy (1884-1952) was a military nurse who served in both World War I and II and was one of ...
06/10/2026

Lt. Col. Rachel Diane “Rae” Landy (1884-1952) was a military nurse who served in both World War I and II and was one of the first of two American nurses sent to Palestine by Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, to support the development of community public health initiatives. Landy's archives at AJHS reflect the range of medical care that she provided including furnishing pre- and post-natal care to mothers and infants in an effort to combat elevated maternal mortality rates. Working under difficult conditions with limited resources she established a training program for midwives as well as a settlement house and clinic to teach nursing skills, provide medical treatment, and counseling. For more on Landy's incredible life read our latest article from archivist Melissa Silvestri: https://ajhs.org/a-life-of-service-the-lt-col-rachel-diane-rae-landy-papers/

Batter up! HOA resident circa 1930. Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42). #1930
06/09/2026

Batter up! HOA resident circa 1930. Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42).
#1930

1940s high school basketball team. From the Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42).
06/08/2026

1940s high school basketball team. From the Hebrew Orphan Asylum of the City of New York records (I-42).

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