Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Accession No. 2675-001: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-1976
- Accession No. 2675-002: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers,
- Accession No. 2675-003: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-1980
- Accession No. 2675-004: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1975-1990
- Accession No. 2675-005: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1989-1993
- Accession No. 2675-006: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1975-1992
- Accession No. 2675-007: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1997-1999
- Accession No. 2675-008: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1972-2000 (bulk 1983-2000)
- Accession No. 2675-009: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1977-2008
- Names and Subjects
Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-2008
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Helfgott, Esther Altshul
- Title
- Esther Altshul Helfgott papers
- Dates
- 1970-2008 (inclusive)19702008
- Quantity
- 13.11 cubic feet
- Collection Number
- 2675
- Summary
- Writings, correspondence, course materials, clippings, newsletters, ephemera, research files, and other papers of Esther Helfgott, a poet and Jewish feminist in Seattle, Washington
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Open to all users, but access to portions of the collection is restricted. Contact Special Collections for details.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Esther Altshul Helfgott was born in 1941 to parents Anna and Iser Helfgott. She received her Ph.D. in history from the University of Washington in 1994. While working on this degree, Helfgott also took classes in poetry and participated in poetry readings that were open to students at the University of Washington. It was this experience, along with her work teaching history at the University of Washington, women’s history and journal writing at Seattle Community College, and poetry and other writing classes for North Seattle Community College’s Senior Adult Education Program (and at other senior centers) that inspired Helfgott to begin the It’s About Time Writer’s Reading Series in 1989.
It’s About Time provided a platform for anyone in the greater Seattle community to read their poetry or prose in front of an audience. Initially held at the Ravenna-Bryant Senior Center, the series later met at various different locations before finding its permanent home at the Ballard branch of the Seattle Public Library in 2007. The series was held twice a month for the first year, then became a monthly public event that featured different readers and a Writer’s Craft talk in addition to an open mic portion.
Helfgott was married to Dr. Abe Schweid, whose battle with and death from Alzheimer’s disease in 2010 inspired two of her books: Dear Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Diary & Poems and Listening to Mozart: Poems of Alzheimer’s. Helfgott is also the author of The Homeless One: A Poem in Many Voices, a doctoral dissertation on Jewish feminist poet Irena Klepfisz, and countless poems, articles, and essays.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Writings, correspondence, course materials, clippings, newsletters, ephemera, research files, and other papers related to Esther Helfgott's work with the It's About Time Writer's Reading Series, the women's movement, and Jewish feminism.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Organized into 9 accessions.
- Accession No. 2675-001, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-1976
- Accession No. 2675-002, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers,
- Accession No. 2675-003, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-1980
- Accession No. 2675-004, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1975-1990
- Accession No. 2675-005, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1989-1993
- Accession No. 2675-006, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1975-1992
- Accession No. 2675-007, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1997-1999
- Accession No. 2675-008, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1972-2000
- Accession No. 2675-009, Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1977-2008
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Accession No. 2675-001: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-1976Return to Top
Scope and Content: Ephemera and bibliographies.
Includes Esther Helfgott activities in the women's movement in Columbus, Ohio and subsequently in Bellingham, Washington.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Helfgott, 1/21/1977.
Accession No. 2675-002: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, Return to Top
Scope and Content: Ephemera on women's movement.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Helfgott, 2/7/1978.
Accession No. 2675-003: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-1980Return to Top
Scope and Content: Publications, clippings, subject files, bibliographies, ephemera.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Helfgott, 12/29/1982.
Accession No. 2675-004: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1975-1990Return to Top
Scope and Content: Writings, newsletters, bibliographies, ephemera.
The papers consist primarily of ephemera on women, Jewish women, and Jews in Seattle. One writing describes Seattle Council of Jewish Women, 1900-1910.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Helfgott, 1/28/1993.
Accession No. 2675-005: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1989-1993Return to Top
Scope and Content: Writings, especially about her feelings during therapy.
Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Altshul Helfgott, 3/21/1995.
Accession No. 2675-006: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1975-1992Return to Top
Scope and Content: Bibliographies, subject files, theses and dissertations of others. Papers document Helfgott's research interest in Jewish feminism.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Altshul Helfgott, 8/15/1997.
Accession No. 2675-007: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1997-1999Return to Top
Scope and Content: Family correspondence and personal documents, class materials from courses she took at the University of Washington in the 1980's, correspondence with fellow feminists, and publications which include her writings and announcements of her classes and readings. Letters from students in her writing classes, flyers for classes, and publications in which her work has appeared. Also includes a run of the Seattle newsletter, Wordscape.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Helfgott, 7/25/2000.
Accession No. 2675-008: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, circa 1972-2000 (bulk 1983-2000)Return to Top
Scope and Content: Writings including teaching and student materials, correspondence, clippings, curriculum vitae, and other materials.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Esther Helfgott, 9/4/2003.
Accession No. 2675-009: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1977-2008Return to Top
Scope and Content: Papers related to the It's About Time Writer's Reading Series, which was organized and operated by Esther Helfgott. Includes newsletters, publicity materials, and writings by and correspondence with participants in the reading series. Related to these papers is correspondence with, writings by, and memorial materials for Seattle poet Crysta Casey.
Esther Helfgott's personal papers are also included in this accession. Includes personal and professional correspondence, writings, papers related to her involvement with the Seattle Jewish community, and research related to her dissertation work on Jewish feminist poet Irena Klepfisz, as well as other research on Edith Buxbaum.
Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Esther Helfgott; 2008-07-30, 2008-09-08, and 2008-09-22
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Accession | ||
| 1 | 2675-009 | It's About Time Writers' Reading Series |
1990-2007 |
| 1-2 | 2675-009 | Correspondence
Restrictions on Access:
Restricted.
|
1977-2007 |
| 2 | 2675-009 | Crysta Casey memorial materials |
1990-2008 |
| 2 | 2675-009 | Academic Writings and Presentations |
1970s-1990s |
| 2 | 2675-009 | Seattle Jewish organizations |
1980s-1990s |
| 2-3 | 2675-009 | Dissertation research on Irena Klepfisz and Jewish
Feminism |
1970s-1990s |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Feminism--Religious aspects--Judaism--Research
- Feminism--United States
- History--Study and teaching--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Jewish women--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Women's rights--United States
Personal Names
- Helfgott, Esther Altshul 1941---Archives
- Klepfisz, Irene
