Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1914-1999

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth (Seattle, Wash.)
Title
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records
Dates
1914-1999 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.04 cubic foot (2 boxes, 2 microfilm reels, 1 pos., 1 neg., 2 volumes and 2 vertical files)
Collection Number
2739
Summary
Records of a Sephardic Jewish Congregation formed in 1912 by a small community of Sephardic immigrants from the Island of Rhodes.
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

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English, Ladino

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Ezra Bessaroth was formed in 1912 by a small community of Sephardic immigrants from the Island of Rhodes. It was this group which formed the nucleus of Koupa Ezra Bessaroth Rhodes in 1912. The congregation incorporated in 1914. The first synagogue was built on 15th and Fir Street in 1917. By 1957, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth had outgrown this building and began construction of a new synagogue in the Seward Park area.

Mr. Israel joined the choir in 1935 when Samuel Goldfarb, music director at Temple de Hirsch, agreed to also train the Ezra Bessaroth choir. At first he coached the choir only on music for the High Holy Days, but the repertoire and the membership expanded later.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Organizational papers of Congregation Ezra Bessaroth including programs, newsletters, mailings, photographs, and commemorative materials.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 9 accessions.

  • Accession No. 2739-001, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth dedication program, 1970
  • Accession No. 2739-002, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth dedication program, 1958
  • Accession No. 2739-003, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth commemorative book, 1981
  • Accession No. 2739-004, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1914-1970
  • Accession No. 2739-006, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1937-1982
  • Accession No. 2739-007, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1935-1950
  • Accession No. 2739-008, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1990
  • Accession No. 2739-009, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1982-1993
  • Accession No. 2739-010, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1993-1999

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 2739-001: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth dedication program, 1970Return to Top

1 volume

Scope and Content: Dedication program.

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 Fannie Roberts, 2/1/1977.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth dedication program

Accession No. 2739-002: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth dedication program, 1958Return to Top

.03 cubic foot

Scope and Content: Dedication program.

This program marks the completion of the first phase of the congregation's program for a new facility. Includes historical background, including an account of the founding of congregation by Harry S. Tarica.

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 Lilly de Jean, 8/1/1978.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth dedication program

Accession No. 2739-003: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth commemorative book, 1981Return to Top

1 volume

Scope and Content: Commemorative book.

Souvenir program on the occation of retiring the mortgage on the sanctuary.

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 Gordon DeLeon, 10/26/1981.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth commemorative book

Accession No. 2739-004: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1914-1970 (bulk 1945-1957)Return to Top

.17 cubic foot including 2 microfilm reels (1 pos., 1 neg.)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, minutes (ca. 1947-1953), speeches, sermons, eulogies, music, photographs.

Organizational papers of Congregation Ezra Bessaroth. Speeches, sermons, eulogies (some in Ladino) of Rev. David J. Behar. Music of Samuel Goldfarb for Cong. Ezra Bessaroth. Some literal transcriptions of Rhodes music, some adaptation, interpretations.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Literary rights of representatives of the records-creating organization transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Elazar Behar, 8/23/1982.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records

Accession No. 2739-006: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1937-1982Return to Top

.06 cubic foot

Scope and Content: Programs, newsletters, mailings, Sephardic Brotherhood membership list, ephemera.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Literary rights of representatives of the records-creating organization transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Rabbi William H. Greenberg, 11/20/1985.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records

Accession No. 2739-007: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1935-1950Return to Top

1 vertical file

Scope and Content: Notes by Meta Buttnick about Ezra Bessaroth men's choir; programs; photocopied music.

Meta Buttnick interviewed Judd Israel about his memories of the Ezra Bessaroth choir and wrote notes on his remarks.

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 Ruth Barkey, 10/1/1985.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records

Accession No. 2739-008: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1990Return to Top

1 vertical file

Scope and Content: 80th anniversary booklet (1910-1990); endowment fund list.

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 Elazar Behar, 6/1/1990.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records

Accession No. 2739-009: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1982-1993Return to Top

.42 cubic foot (1 box)

Scope and Content: Newsletter "Clarion" (1984-1993); mailings (1982-1985); booklets for two tribute dinners for Hazzan Isaac Azose (1991, 2000); booklet for 67th anniversary; booklet for past presidents' tribute dinner (1994).

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Received 5/10/1993; Joe and Esther Peha, 2/21/2012.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records

Accession No. 2739-010: Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records, 1993-1999Return to Top

.36 cubic feet (1 box)

Scope and Content: Newsletter "The Clarion" (1993-1999)

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

Description
Congregation Ezra Bessaroth records

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Jews--Music
  • Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Rabbis--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Sephardim--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Synagogues--Washington (State)--Seattle

Corporate Names

  • Congregation Ezra Bessaroth (Seattle, Wash.)--Archives

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Behar, David J.,   creator (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington),   host institution (creator)