Freeman Center for Jewish Life records, 1933-2021

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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....
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Summary

Creator:
Freeman Center for Jewish Life (Duke University)
Abstract:
The Freeman Center for Jewish Life opened in 1999. The center strives to create a dynamic Jewish community that expresses the full spectrum of Jewish identity. This collection contains administrative records related to the planning, development, construction, and dedication of the Freeman Center. It also includes materials related to Jewish students at Duke, the discussion around a mikveh in the Freeman Center, Hillel-Center for Jewish Life relations, the merging of the Center for Jewish Life and Duke Hillel, the Chronicle Holocaust ad controversy, and events on campus.
Extent:
6 Linear Feet
7 Gigabytes (Approximately 6700 files)
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
UA.09.19.0001
University Archives Record Group:
09 -- Student Affairs
09 -- Student Affairs > 19 -- Jewish Life at Duke

Background

Scope and content:

Collection contains Board of Directors and User Committee documentation, correspondence, reports, photographic materials, brochures, newsletters, and technical documents and records concerning the planning, construction, and dedication of the Freeman Center. Includes meeting minutes, reports, and correspondence for the Center for Jewish Life Board and the Board of Duke Hillel as well as records related to the merger of the Center for Jewish Life (CJL) and Duke Hillel. Other topics include Hillel and CJL relations, the Chronicle Holocaust ad controversy (1991-1992), and the debate to include a mikveh at the Freeman Center. Also contains materials about Jewish students and scholars at Duke. The collection includes optical disks and videocassettes containing files and recordings related to events and programs.

Biographical / historical:

The creation of the Freeman Center for Jewish Life began in 1986 when Gil Scharf, a graduate of Duke, advocated for a space for Jewish students, staff, and faculty on campus. With the support of administration, a planning committee for a center for Jewish Life at Duke was formed that year. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1997, and construction for the center began in 1998. The center was named in honor of Brian and Harriet Freeman, two of its founding benefactors, and opened in 1999.

As a part of Jewish Life at Duke, the Freeman Center together with the Rubenstein-Silvers Hillel strives to create a dynamic Jewish community that expresses the full spectrum of Jewish identity. The center includes spaces for meeting, studying, and socializing such as the Sassower library, a common area, a lounge, and dining areas. The Levenson-Lerner Sanctuary has served as an event space and the location for Shabbat and Holiday Services.

Sources: https://students.duke.edu/belonging/icr/jewishlife/about-us/, accessed July 2023.

https://students.duke.edu/our-story-the-freeman-center-for-jewish-life/, accessed July 2023.

Acquisition information:
The Freeman Center for Jewish Life records were received by the University Archives as transfers in 2000 and 2023.
Processing information:

Processed by: University Archives Staff

Finding aid derived from MARC record, November 2014

Accessions UA2000-47 and UA2023-0031 added and finding aid updated by April Blevins, July 2023

Accession UA2023-0053 added by April Blevins, September 2023

Original folder titles have been largely retained.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

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. Collection includes materials from the Duke University Board of Trustees. Records of the University's Board of Trustees which have been in existence for at least fifty years are available for scholarly research with the permission of the University Archivist. Access to records which have been in existence for less than fifty years shall be granted only by special permission, in writing, from the Board of Trustees. Contact Research Services for more information.

Access restricted. Some materials in this collection are university development records. Materials related to individual fundraising prospects are restricted for 70 years. Contact Research Services for more information.

Access restricted. Some materials in this collection include student records. In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records. Contact Research Services for more information.

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

Terms of access:

Copyright for official university records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Freeman Center for Jewish Life records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1rj10