Marshall T. Meyer papers, 1902-2010 and undated, bulk 1984-1993

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Summary

Creator:
Meyer, Marshall T. and Human Rights Archive (Duke University)
Abstract:
Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer (1930-1993) was a Conservative rabbi and human rights activist who was active in Argentina during the period of the Dirty War/El Proceso (1976-1983) and later in New York City (1983-1993). The papers span 1902-2010 with most between 1983-1994. The collection contains personal and professional correspondence from throughout Meyer's career as a religious leader and human rights activist; his published and unpublished writings and speeches; printed material collected by Meyer; working and research files organized by geography, organizations, people, and subject; personal files such as appointment books, biographical material, papers from Meyer's school days, photographs, memorabilia, and material documenting his numerous engagements; audiovisual materials related to Meyer's services, lectures, events, interviews, and other appearances by Meyer. Acquired by the Human Rights Archive.
Extent:
64.8 Linear Feet
18.4 Gigabytes
Language:
Material in English, Spanish, and Hebrew.
Collection ID:
RL.00895

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Marshall T. Meyer span 1902-2010, with the majority 1984-1993, and relate to his work as a religious leader, scholar, and human rights activist. The collection contains personal and professional correspondence; his published and unpublished writings and speeches; printed material collected by Meyer; Meyer's working and research files organized by geography, organizations, people, and subject; personal files, including appointment books, biographical material, papers from Meyer's school days including Dartmouth College and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, photographs, memorabilia, and material documenting his numerous engagements; audiovisual materials and electronic records of Meyer's services, interviews, lectures, appearances, and other events; and other assorted materials.

The collection contains extensive evidence of Meyer's activities and interests, especially those he engaged in during his tenure at Comunidad Bet-El and Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano in Argentina, and then at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in New York City. The files document Meyer's professional activities, including his often overlapping roles as religious leader, scholar, and human rights activist. Much of the material in the collection reflects Meyer's devotion and commitment to a socially and politically engaged Conservative Judaism and his involvement with Jewish communities around the world. Meyer was particularly involved in calling attention to human rights violations and working with the victims of violent political oppression in South and Central America in the 1970s-1980s and then in Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East in the 1980s-1990s. Meyer's extensive involvement and leadership in national and international religious, peace, and human rights organizations such as the World Council of Churches are also well-represented, as is his life-long association with his alma maters, Dartmouth College and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

The Correspondence Series contains letters in English and Spanish written and received by Meyer (additional correspondence is also contained in Meyer's research files and electronic files). Significant correspondents include Louis Finkelstein, Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Shalom Spiegel.

The Writings and Speeches Series holds Meyer's original compositions in English, Spanish, and Hebrew. These compositions include various literary genres such as op-eds, newspaper articles, essays as well as speeches, addresses, and sermons.

The Research Files Series is subdivided into four categories: Geographic, Organizations, People, and Subject. These files may contain correspondence, notes, printed material, writings, and ephemera. The most common themes that run through this series include human rights, Jewish life, rabbinic education, Latin American Jewry, the Middle East, and Argentina's "Disappeared" during Argentina's dictatorship in 1970s-1980s. This series also includes various annotations on printed material, categorizing and filing, integration of correspondence done by Meyer.

The Printed Material Series includes newspapers, clippings, monographs, and serials that Meyer collected over the years. Subjects cover similar territory as the research files. Unlike the Research Files, this material is generally not annotated and is less organized.

The Teaching Material Series contains material from classes taught by Meyer.

The Personal Files Series includes material largely outside the scope of Meyer's professional work: photos, memorabilia, schoolwork, and appointment books.

Video and audio recordings of Meyer's engagements are found in the Audiovisual Material Series. These include lectures, speeches, interviews, television appearances, and religious services. Originals of video and audio tape are closed to use. Patrons must request use copies to access the content of the material.

The Condolences Series contains cards and notes expressing sympathy on Meyer's death. Many of these contain testimonials and reminiscences of his role as rabbi and activist.

The Electronic Files Series contains transcriptions of documents authored by or related to Meyer, many of which overlap with the content of several series including Correspondence, Writings and Speeches, Teaching Material, and Audiovisual Materials.

Later accessions not integrated into the rest of the collection are listed as separate series. They include articles, clippings, correspondence, obituaries, research notes, sermons, audiovisual materials, and other assorted materials. Topics include but not limited to human rights in Argentina and the Middle East, the Argentinian Jewish community, Dartmouth College, and Meyer's work as a religious leader.

Biographical / historical:
Chronology List
Date Event
1930
Born in Brooklyn, raised in Norwich, Conn.
1952
Graduated from Dartmouth College
1958
Ordained rabbi at Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
1959
Appointed rabbi of Congregacíon Israelita in Buenos Aires, Argentina
1962
Founded Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires
1963
Founded Comunidad Bet El in Buenos Aires, Argentina
1983
Awarded medal of San Martin by Argentine President Raul Alfonsin
1984
Appointed to National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP)
1984
Returned to New York City to head congregation B'nai Jeshurun
1993
Died of cancer in New York City at age 63

Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer was born in 1930 and was a progressive and activist rabbi who expounded a politically engaged Conservative Judaism. For Meyer, religion was inseparable from his politics, which spanned the breadth of local, national, and international arenas.

Meyer received his education from Dartmouth College and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he came under the influence of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Meyer was ordained rabbi in 1958 and soon moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina with his family in 1959. During his tenure as rabbi of Comunidad Bet-El, Meyer led the reinvigoration and renaissance of Argentina's Jewish community and later established the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano to help train future rabbis for the Jewish community that also understood the local culture.

He also lived and worked through the political upheavals and turmoil of the 1970s and 1980s, sometimes referred to as Argentina's "Dirty War" or "El Proceso", in which the military junta of Argentina led a campaign of of state terrorism, systematic forced disappearances, and other acts of violence against preceived opponents. Meyer openly spoke out against the human rights abuses perpetrated under the rule of the military junta, visiting and attempting to secure the release of prisoners ("the disappeared") in clandestine jails. Meyer was instrumental in negotiating the release of Jacobo Timerman, who later dedicated his work, Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number to Meyer. After the return of democracy to Argentina in 1983, Argentine President Raul Alfonsin recruited Meyer to serve on CONADEP (Comisión Nacional sobre la Desaparición de Personas or the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons), which led a national investigation to establish the extent of the abuses suffered under the military junta.

Meyer returned to the United States in 1984 and took over the helm of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, reviving the decaying New York City synagogue and transforming it into a dynamic center for Judaism in the United States. Meyer advocated for intra-religious dialogue and peace efforts, the plight of marginalized groups within the United States, human rights abuses in Central America including El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, and for peace and respect for human rights in Israel and Palestine.

Acquisition information:
The Marshall T. Meyer Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2004-2021.
Processing information:

Processed by Loren Crippin, Christian Ferney, Maria Perales, and Patrick Stawski, May 2008; Tere Elizalde, June 2025

Encoded by Loren Crippin, Christian Ferney, Paula Jeannet, Maria Perales, Patrick Stawski, May 2008

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2004-0336, 2006-0103, 2011-0005, 2021-0085, 2025-0018

Accessions 2004-0336 and 2006-0103 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid. Accession 2011-0005 processed and encoded by Jen Snow, 2012 Videotapes processed and encoded by Clare Callahan, July 2012 Electronic records reprocessed by Matthew Farrell, March 2015 Collection guide updated by Will Runyan and Tracy M. Jackson, February 2024 Collection guide updated and Accession 2025-0018 processed by by Tere Elizalde, June 2025

Arrangement:

Collection is arranged into the following series: Correspondence, Writings and Speeches, Research Files, Printed Material, Teaching Material, Personal Files, Audiovisual Material, Condolences, Electronic Files, Accession 2011-0005, Accession 2021-0085, and Accession 2025-0018.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Access note. Some materials in this collection are fragile audiovisual/photographic formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Access restricted. Originals of video and audiotapes are closed to use. Digital access copies are available for some videos in the Audiovisual Materials series.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that may need to be reformatted. Access copies of electronic records require special equipment. Contact Research Services for access.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Marshall T. Meyer Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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