Agudas Achim Sisterhood records
Scope and Contents
The Agudas Achim Sisterhood records date from 1952 to 2024 and measure 2.29 linear feet. The records are arranged into seven series: Administrative, Financial, Correspondence, Publications, Programming and events, Affiliate groups, and Resources: Judaism.
The Administrative series (1952-2024) contains bylaws, meeting minutes, descriptions of board responsibilities, and materials about committees.
The Financial series (1966-2020) contains various financial records from 1966 to 2004 including budgets, fundraising, book and gift store records, and certificates awarded to the Sisterhood for Torah Fund fundraising.
The Correspondence series (1983-2019) contains cards and letters both internal and external, and includes handwritten templates for notes of congratulation or condolence.
The Publications series (1964-2014) holds materials printed by the Agudas Achim Sisterhood for distribution among its members or in the larger congregation. The series includes copies of “Sisterhood News,” a column in the synagogue bulletin, from the 1980s until about 2000, as well as news from the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, the Midwest Branch of the same, and other Jewish organizations. It also contains membership directories and Agudas Achim yearbooks.
The Events and programming series (1981-2014) contains planning notes from social events, annual meetings, event calendars, resources and guidelines for programming, flyers for several holiday and social events, and a small number of unidentified photographs. This series also includes information on the Sisterhood’s service and fundraising activities such as Lox Box, College Connection, and the Mitzvah Connection.
The Affiliate groups series (1980-2023) contains materials related to outside organizations that the Agudas Achim Sisterhood was affiliated with. This includes the Women’s League of Conservative Judaism, Women of Reform Judaism, Women’s American ORT, and B’nai B’rith Women. Included in this series are administrative materials, event programs and handouts, certificates, various pins, and a tote bag from the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Midwest Region 2007 conference.
The Resources: Judaism series (1995-2000) contains informational and instructional materials, ranging from coffeepot operation to official directives for nominating committees from the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. Also included is an essay from Elain Abrams.
Dates
- Creation: 1952 - 2024
Creator
- Agudas Achim Sisterhood (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
The records are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.
However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/
Biographical / Historical
Biographical/Historical Note: Iowa City’s Jewish community hired a rabbi in 1915 and in 1916 established the Agudas Achim Congregration. The Agudas Achim Sisterhood was founded in 1932 to be a social and service organization for the women of the congregation. It absorbed the local Jewish Ladies’ Relieft Organization, which had existed in Iowa City since 1916. The group was later affiliated with the Midwest branch of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. The members of the Agudas Achim Sisterhood, drawn from the congregation, sponsored social events, organized refreshments for events and holidays, ran the congregation’s gift shop, and supported many other activities that benefitted Agudas Achim as a whole.
Full Extent
2.29 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Records of the women’s organization activities associated with the Agudas Achim Congregation in Iowa City. Included are administrative materials, financial records, correspondence, event and program materials, materials related to affiliated organizations, and resources on Judaism.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were donated by Beverly Jones (donor no. 1494) in 2017 and 2024.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Carla DeWit, 2017; Anna Tunnicliff, 2018; Kaitlyn Evers, 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu