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The Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center
Discovering and preserving Philadelphia’s Jewish past
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The Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center
Photo courtesy of The Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center
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Other Information
Open Mon - Fri by appointment only
Insider Tip
If your ancestors arrived in Philadelphia between 1884 and 1920, the archives can help you trace their journey. Extensive ship records include the name of the ship ticket holder, who traveled with them, the cost, and the dates of travel.
Kids' Stuff
The children’s library hosts a 10:30 a.m. story hour (Tuesdays, Sep - May). Call to learn about other special children's programs.
The Experience
Traveling back in time comes easy inside these overstuffed, fifth-floor quarters. When the former Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies recently merged with The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, only this archive and the new branch of the Free Library (at street level) remained. Collections date back to the 19th century, when Philadelphia’s Jewish community initiated a host of national firsts.
There are records of the first Jewish orphanage and first Jewish Sunday school. One can find papers of the Jewish Publication Society, the oldest operating Jewish publishing house. More than 800 individuals and organizations are represented, including Bernard Levinthal, Philadelphia’s chief Orthodox Rabbi in the 19th century, and Edwin Wolf II, the city’s chief bibliophile in the 20th.
History
The archives has provided a refuge for threatened records since 1972. It was the first community-sponsored archives of its kind in the nation, established as a joint project of the Philadelphia Center of the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Its graphics are used extensively in publications and exhibitions throughout the United States and Israel.
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