University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
2675
Helfgott, Esther Altshul
Esther Altshul Helfgott papers
1970-2008
13.11 cubic feet
Collection materials are in
English.
Writings,
correspondence, course materials, clippings, newsletters, ephemera, research
files, and other papers of Esther Helfgott, a poet and Jewish feminist in
Seattle, Washington
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.
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
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.
Open to all users, but access to portions of the collection is
restricted. Contact Special Collections for details.
Request at UW
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries.
Material Described Separately:
Anna Helfgott
papers (Mss Coll 6118)
Helfgott, Esther Altshul 1941---Archives
Klepfisz, Irene
Jewish women--Washington (State)--Seattle
History--Study and teaching--Washington (State)--Seattle
Feminism--Religious aspects--Judaism--Research
Women's rights--United States
Feminism--United States
Personal correspondence
Ephemera
Newsletters
Research (documents)
Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Literature
Clubs and Societies
Jewish Americans
Women
Religion
Politics and Politicians
Accession No. 2675-001: Esther Altshul Helfgott papers, 1970-1976
.28 cubic foot
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,
.28 cubic foot
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, 1970-1980
1.08 cubic feet
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
1975-1990
2.00 cubic feet (2 boxes)
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
1989-1993
1.63 cubic feet (3 boxes)
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, 1975-1992
1.42 cubic feet (2 boxes)
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, 1997-1999
1.63 cubic feet (3 boxes)
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)
2.00 cubic feet (2 boxes)
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, 1977-2008
2.79 cubic feet (3 boxes)
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
1
2675-009
It's About Time Writers' Reading Series
1990-2007
1-2
2675-009
Correspondence
1977-2007
Restrictions on Access:
Restricted.
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