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Leah Lieberman Papers

 Collection
Identifier: P-869

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Leah Lieberman focus on her role in the creation and the early activities of the Brooklyn Coalition for Soviet Jewry. The collection also includes Mrs. Lieberman's correspondence with the mayor of the city of Worms, Germany, in which she urges the West German leadership to use diplomacy to help ease the oppression of Jews in the USSR. The collection features a DVD video oral history interview with Leah Lieberman conducted at the offices of the American Jewish Historical Society on May 12, 2009.

Dates

  • Creation: 1970-1971, 2009.

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society, except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact:

American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, N.Y., 10011 email: reference@ajhs.org

Historical Note

A Zionist community leader from London, UK, Leah Lieberman moved to Brooklyn, NY in the late 1960s. Mrs. Lieberman got involved with the Brooklyn Jewish community and in the Soviet Jewry movement. Upon witnessing the activities of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry led by Jacob Birnbaum, Mrs. Lieberman realized the need for an adult organization with the similar purpose, but with more visibility and power in the national political arena. Her idea was to create Brooklyn Coalition for Soviet Jewry in order to unite local Jewish leadership to spearhead and fortify the efforts for Soviet Jewry. She had reached out to local Jewish community organizations and individual activists, most of whom agreed to join the Coalition. In 1971, with help from Yaakov Birnbaum, Mrs. Lieberman had organized a series of meetings and information events in local synagogues, Jewish community centers and in Brooklyn College, aimed at raising public awareness to the plight of Soviet Jews. At the end of 1971 Leah Lieberman disengaged herself from the Brooklyn Coalition for Soviet Jewry and continued her involvement in the Soviet Jewry movement in the private capacity.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Abstract

The papers and the oral history of Leah Lieberman reflect the creation and the early activities of the Brooklyn Coalition for Soviet Jewry. Materials include minutes, memorandums, correspondence, photos and a DVD.

Arrangement

The collection consists of one folder and one DVD with oral history interview.

  1. Leah Lieberman Papers, 1970-1971, 2009

Physical Location

Located in AJHS New York, NY

Acquisition Information

Donated by Leah Lieberman in 2009.

Related Material

The Papers of Leah Lieberman is one individual collection within the Archive of the American Soviet Jewry Movement (AASJM) located at the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS).

Title
Guide to the Papers of Leah Lieberman, 1970-1971, 2009 *P-869
Status
Under Revision
Author
Processed by Andrey Filimonov
Date
© 2011
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Repository Details

Part of the American Jewish Historical Society Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States