Rabbi Israel Gerber was a Reform Rabbi and led congregations in Dothan, Alabama, North Carolina, and in Virginia. He served in the U.S. Army and held a PhD from Boston University in the Psychology of Religion. He authored six books and wrote numerous newspaper and magazine articles, including book reviews for the Charlotte Observer. Gerber was a sought-after lecturer because of his extensive biblical knowledge. The Israel Gerber Papers span the years 1920 to 2009 and primarily document public Gerber’s life, with the bulk of the materials related to his sermons, writings, and teachings. Also included is a small amount of correspondence, including letters to and from Harry Golden and letters to the editors of various newspapers, and two scrapbooks that document Gerber’s personal and professional life.

The Israel Gerber Papers span the years 1920 to 2009 and primarily document public Gerber’s life, with the bulk of the materials related to his sermons, writings, and teachings. Items in this collection include sermons on a variety of topics including Purim, Passover, World War II, and Genesis; various handwritten notes, typed speeches, lectures, eulogies, and talks given by Gerber at Temple Beth El and other temples, conferences, and academic institutions; and clippings, both loose and glued into scrapbooks related to Gerber’s books, and quotations, poems, articles, editorials written by Gerber and others on a variety of religious, spiritual, and inspirational topics, including Gerber’s monthly column “The Good Within Us” for Senior Directions.

Also included are teaching materials such as handwritten notes, lessons, quizzes and exams, a small amount of correspondence, including letters to and from Harry Golden and letters to the editors of various newspapers, and two scrapbooks that document Gerber’s personal and professional life. The scrapbooks include newspaper clippings, articles written by Gerber, letters, programs for various services and events, and invitations.

The North Carolina Association of Jewish Women (NCAJW) was founded by Sarah Weil in 1921 with the intent “to deepen the religious life, to stimulate interest and Jewish affairs, and to increase Jewish community activity.” The organization’s projects included administration of a scholarship fund, sponsorship of the NCA of Jewish Youth (founded in 1946), and help towards purchasing books of Jewish interest for the libraries of North Carolina. The materials in this collection primarily document the daily business activities of the NCAJW and include programs and reports from annual conventions and meetings, membership, correspondence to and from Yetta Leder (President and Membership Chair of the NCAJW), financial records such as balance sheets, budgets, and annual contributions, year books, and reports, correspondence, and photographs related to the organization’s various projects.

The materials in this collection primarily document the daily business activities of the NCAJW and include programs and reports from annual conventions and meetings, membership, correspondence to and from Yetta Leder (President and Membership Chair of the NCAJW), financial records such as balance sheets, budgets, and annual contributions, year books, and reports, correspondence, and photographs related to the organization’s various projects.

The collection also includes a small amount of materials related to the NCAJM and the NCA of Jewish Youth.

Sidney J. Stern was born in Wilson, NC in 1879 and married Flora Oettinger of Kinston, NC in 1910. The Sterns were active in civic affairs and religious life in Greensboro, where Sidney practiced law until his death in 1947. The materials in this collection primarily document Sidney J. Stern’s efforts to relocate family members and others living in Germany between 1936 and 1948 and to a lesser degree the Stern family’s life and activities in Greensboro, NC. Other materials in the collection include articles, newspaper clippings, and genealogical information on the Oettinger side of the family.

The materials in this collection primarily document Sidney J. Stern’s efforts to relocate family members and others living in Germany between 1936 and 1941 and, to a lesser degree, the Stern family’s life and activities in Greensboro (Guilford Co.), North Carolina. The approximately 245 letters related to the relocation of family members include requests for biographical information for visa applications and copies of affidavits of support sworn by Stern and other residents of Greensboro and North Carolina. Other materials in the collection include articles, newspaper clippings, and genealogical information on the Oettinger family of Kinston (Lenoir Co.), N.C.