Below is an overview of collections from organizations and businesses housed in the South Texas Jewish Archives at the Woodson Research Center.
Amalya Shandelman Photography collection, 2018, (MS 892)
The Amalya Shandelman Photography collection contains photographs of the final service held by the United Orthodox Synagogues in February 2018, following the events of Hurricane Harvey in the fall of 2017. Photographs depict both the congregants of the United Orthodox Synagogues and the physical structure of the Synagogue.
American Associates Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Greater Texas Region programs, 2013-2018 (MS 793)
The American Associates Ben-Gurion University of the Negev programs offer unique insight into the global connections of Jewish culture and tradition with their extension of the Israeli university community into the Greater Texas Region, acknowledgement of influential figures, and exploration of kosher food.
Link to collection guide
American Jewish Committee records, ca. 1910s-2000s (MS 963)
This collection consists of sixteen boxes containing photographs, photo albums, audio cassettes (oral histories and events), video cassettes, certificates, oral history consent forms, administrative records.
(Sandra Block) American Jewish Committee records, 1984-1992 (MS 780)
This collection contains materials related to the Texas Jewish Feminist Conference, including pamphlets, a timeline, and correspondence providing an overview, as well as newsprint and speaking notes, including Sandra Block’s opening speech.
Link to collection guide
AMIT [Americans for Israel and Torah] Pearl Schwartz - Houston Chapter papers, 2003-2008 (MS 792)
The AMIT collection is made up of six membership directories, each containing a brief history and statement of purpose, officer list, membership list, and advertisements from local businesses put out annually by the Pearl Schwartz-Houston Chapter of the leading education network across all measurements in Israel, Americans for Israel and Torah.
Link to collection guide
Belden's Food Market Collection, 1999-2016 (MS 930)
Two boxes of ephemera and memorabilia document the operations at Belden's Food Market from 1999 to 2016.
Beth Yeshurun United Synagogue Youth chapter scrapbook, 1967-1968 (MS 923)
This collection contains a scrapbook from Beth Yeshurun United Synagogue Youth chapter.
B'nai B'rith Houston Women's Council records, 1952-2000 (MS 748)
Organizational papers, photographs, scrapbooks, correspondence and newsletters document the coordination and implementation of events organized by B'nai B'rith Women's Council including the annual Good Heart Humanitarian Awards dinners from 1952 to 2000.
Link to collection guide
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) Institutional Materials, 1959-2001 (MS 749)
Awards, books, event materials, memorabilia, and organization documents demonstrate the role of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) in the Houston Jewish community from 1956-2011.
Camp Young Judaea collection, 1949-2012 (MS 734)
Artifacts, marketing materials, newsletters, and organizational materials document the activities and operations of Camp Young Judaea in Texas and the surrounding region.
Link to collection guide
Chabad of Houston collection, 1990-2006, (MS 833)
The Chabad of Houston collection contains materials related to the institution’s many programs, its history, and especially the galas and events celebrating the impact the Chabad has had on the Houston Jewish community.
Link to collection guide
The Emery-Weiner School collection, 1978-2003 (MS 731)
One box of records which includes a10th anniversary program, news clippings, building designs, prospectus, brochures, mailings, newsletters, and correspondence document some of the activities at the school between 1978 and 2003.
Link to collection guide
Gus Buck BBG Banner, 1966 (MS 859)
Gus Buck is a chapter of the B’Nai B’rith Youth Organization, a pluralistic Jewish teen movement with hundreds of chapters across North America and in 50 countries around the world. BBYO reaches over 80,000 teens annually and serves as the Jewish community’s largest platform for connecting Jewish youth. The banner was presented by Rosanna Kudisch & Ira Richter in 1966, and is emblazoned with the words “Let Your Dreams be Tossed and Turned...Reality.”
Houston Chronicle Photograph Collection, ca. 1940s-2000s (MS 814)
This collections consists of four boxes containing 8 x 10 copies of photographs used in the Houston Chronicle and/or taken by Chronicle photographers document activities within the Houston Jewish community between the 1940s and 2000s.
Houston Hadassah collection, 1955-2002 (MS 775)
Two boxes of Houston Hadassah membership directories and two scrapbooks containing newsletters, photographs, news clippings, postcards, event invitations, and campaign buttons document membership in the organization from 1955 to 1965 and 1993 to 2002, as well as some of the activities members of the Houston Chapter of Hadassah participated in from 1970 to 1976.
Link to collection guide
Link to digitized scrapbooks
Houston Hillel scrapbooks, 1975-1982 (MS 732)
Scrapbooks documenting the events and programs of Houston Hillel, featuring photographs, event flyers, calendar, newsletters, news clippings, invitations, and other ephemera.
Link to collection guide
Link to digitized scrapbooks
Houston Post Photograph Collection, ca. 1950s-1990s (MS 969)
This collection consists of one box of 8 x 10 photographs used in the Houston Post and/or taken by Post photographers document activities within the Houston Jewish community between the 1950s and 1990s.
Jewish Community Center of Houston records, ca. 1950-2000 (MS 713)
Six boxes of records reflecting the daily business of the JCC, including bulletins, program guides, photographs, and recorded lectures.
Jewish Family Service records [Houston], 2008-2015 (MS 785)
The Jewish Family Service records contains materials from the later years of the storied organization, focusing particularly on its 100-year anniversary celebration, and programs offered the the Houston Jewish community.
Link to collection guide
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston records, 1939-2018 (MS 714)
Two boxes of documents and photographs relating to the history of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, including notes regarding committee work to assist Jewish refugees during WWII.
Link to collection guide
Jewish Herald-Voice papers, 1928-2008 (MS 781)
This collection contains issues of the Jewish Herald-Voice, as well as related correspondence, newsprint and articles, photographs, and a Directory of Jewish Organizations showcasing different aspects of the Jewish community and smaller groups that make it up. "Representing the great and powerful diversity of [the Houston and Texas Gulf Coast Jewish communities,] the Herald unites many thoughts in its weekly pages" (Newspaper owners Samuels and Levy).
Link to collection guide
Link to Directory of Jewish Organizations, 1937
Jewish Institute for Medical Research records, c. 1960s-1980s (MS 922)
This collection contains correspondence, meeting materials, photographs, news clippings, certificates, history of JIMR, bulletins/programs, speeches, newsletters, Tay-Sachs volunteer materials, journals, and a book - "Education in Internal Medicine the Baylor Experience."
Levine Bros. - Sealy, Texas records, 1947-2008 (MS 795)
This collection contains a photograph, merchandise tokens, and an historical write-up about the Levine brothers which documents a small part of the history of Levine Bros. General/Department Store in Sealy, Texas.
Link to collection guide
Mel Reingold Photographers Collection, (MS 993)
This collection contains ten boxes of photographs, negatives, photo albums, and videos that document the work of Mel Reingold from the 1980 to 2000.
Meyerland Minyan collection, 2007-2017 (MS 790)
The Meyerland Minyan collection is made up of five anniversary programs which contain historical details of the Minyan community at different points in time.
Link to collection guide
Meyerland Plaza development photographs and news clippings collection, 1950-1984 (MS 115)
This collection consists of photography of the Meyer family, views of construction of Meyerland Plaza, and of its tenant businesses.
Link to collection guide
The New York Deli & Coffee Shop collection, 2002-2005 (MS 875)
The collection contains two news clippings about The New York Deli and Coffee Shop, copies of three different menus, a colorful card from a grateful 5th-grade class at Beth Yeshurun, and the business card of Michael Saghian, one of the co-owners. The materials are in good condition and range in date from 2002 to 2005. Researchers interested in local Houston businesses, Kosher businesses, or hubs of the Houston Jewish community would find this collection helpful.
Robert M. Beren Academy records, 1960-2010 (MS 821)
The Beren Academy records collection consists of invitations, journals, parent handbooks, marketing pamphlets, news clippings, newsletters, photographs and negatives, a scrapbook and yearbook, and meeting materials that include minutes, correspondence, and budget information which documents part of the history of the Robert M. Beren Academy from 1969 to 2010 and two class photos of unknown origin from 1960.
Link to collection guide
Robert I. Cohen Gift Store printing plate, c. early 1900s, (MS 813)
The collection consists of one printing plate, approximately 3” by 12,” inscribed “Robert I Cohen: Everybody’s Gift Store,” depicted wreathed in holly branches, ornaments, and packaged gifts. The plate is in good condition, though worn from use, and dates from the early 1900s. Researchers interested in a tangible connection to Cohen’s early business ventures would enjoy this archival object.
Sakowitz collection, 1975 (MS 841)
This collection consists of one box containing a Sakowitz gift box, a packing slip from 1975, and a clothing tag, along with materials from the Texas Classroom Teachers Association meeting, welcoming attendees on a visit to Sakowitz while they are in Houston and to a luncheon in the Sky Terrace Restaurant on the store's fifth floor, including a note from Bernard Sakowitz (president of the Sakowitz Brothers stores), an identification card, and a program offering things to do in Houston.
Link to collection guide
Seven Acres/Jewish Home for the Aged records, 1991; 1995; 2015 (MS 786)
The Seven Acres Records contain newsletters and a gala program showcasing programs and events for the aged, offering a glimpse of elderly care in the Houston Jewish community.
Link to collection guide
South Texas Jewish Archives records, 2017-2019 (MS 874)
Correspondence, meeting notes, publicity materials such as event flyers and a brochure, newsletters, and news clippings document the founding of the Houston Jewish History Archive (HJHA), later known as the South Texas Jewish Archives, and the activities the group has undertaken since its founding in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Of particular interest is a document from the Jewish Studies Program at Rice University outlining the beginning of the HJHA and numerous news clippings recording the damages caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston's Jewish community and the actions taken by the HJHA to save materials after the storm.
South Texas Jewish Archives vertical file, 1912-2022 (MS 772)
The collection includes individual files within the Houston Jewish History Archive including materials including: newsclippings, notes, correspondence, photographs, and other materials. The contents are donated by community members and/or gathered by the HJHA staff. The collection is growing, so check back often.
Link to collection guide
Link to digitized material
Star Furniture collection, 1925-2000 (MS 897)
This collection contains photographs, news clippings, memorabilia, financial documents, and event programs from Star Furniture, spanning from 1925 to 2000.
Stolbun/Workmen's Circle collection, 1925; 1945, (MS 783)
This collection contains materials relevant to the century-old Workmen’s Circle, a social justice organization dedicated to preserving Jewish identity and activism. The materials include group portraits of members in 1925 and 1945, and a Certificate of Service presented to Edith Winograd Stolbun, whose son donated the collection.
Link to collection guide
Texas Jewish Historical Society Collection, 1999-2022 (MS 1041)
Texas Jewish Historical Society Newsletters, membership directories, and a brochure document some events and activities undertaken by the Texas Jewish Historical Society from 1999 to present.
Link to collection guide
Tradition Board Game collection, c. 1980s (MS 900)
This collection contains a scrapbook, VHS cassettes of media appearances, 12" pink "Tradition" Board Game ruler, One complete board game for ages 13 to adult, one complete board game - "children's edition," invoice for 1st production run, photographs, draft of instruction booklet, copyright registration, news clippings, correspondence, Essay about the making of the game by Estelle Panzer, meeting notes, press releases for adult game and children's game, draft acknowledgments, insert for the game, corrections to trivia cards after 1st production run, original game questions with revisions, questions and revisions for children's game, paper prototype of game board. Oral history recorded with Estelle and Janis on 9/30/19 can be accessed at: https://digitalcollections.rice.edu/Documents/Detail/estelle-panzer-and-janis-odensky-oral-history/6740
Young Israel of Houston programs, 2004-2012 (MS 791)
The Young Israel Houston collection is made up of seven anniversary programs which contain historical details of the Jewish community at different points in time.
Link to collection guide