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Ber Boruchoff Papers

 Collection
Identifier: P-157

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of the papers of Rabbi Ber Boruchoff during his career as rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in Malden, Massachusetts. The bulk of the papers are eight ledgers in which Rabbi Boruchoff recorded marriages he officiated. The correspondence relates to a marriage he performed in Portland, Connecticut. There is also a group photograph taken in Odessa in 1907 of the Odessa Committee, Society for the Support of Jewish Farmers and Artisans in Syria and Palestine, which legalized framework of Hibbat Zion. Another photograph was taken in 1934 in Jerusalem of Rabbi Boruchoff with Rabbi Silverstone of Washington D.C. and Rabbi Borvick of Brockton, Massachusetts.

Dates

  • undated, 1906-1939

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.

Biographical Note

Rabbi Ber Boruchoff was born in Vilna, Lithuania in 1872. In 1905 he immigrated to America and settled in Malden, Massachusetts with his wife Bessie, sons Raphael, Henry, Coleman, and daughter Mildred. In 1906 he was hired as the first rabbi for the Congregation Beth Israel in Malden. He was the synagogue’s longest serving rabbi, having served for 33 years.

Rabbi Boruchoff helped organize the Malden Talmud Torah as well as the construction of a building on Almont Street. He was a member of the presidium of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of Greater Boston, vice president of Mizrachi, and a member of the executive board of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States, also known as the Agudath Harabonim. The Rabbi was an early supporter of Zionism; his interest in which made him a leader in work for the Jewish National Fund as well. Additionally, he was a member of Freedom Lodge, I.O.B.A.

Rabbi Ber Boruchoff continued to serve as rabbi for Congregation Beth Israel until his death in 1939.

References

  1. Materials from the collection.

Chronology

1872
Born in Vilna, Lithuania.
1905
Immigrated to America and settled in Malden Massachusetts with his family.
1906-1939
Served as the rabbi for Congregation Beth Israel, in Malden, Mass.
1939
Died at his home in Malden, Mass.

Extent

0.25 linear feet (1 half manuscript box)

Abstract

Rabbi Ber Boruchoff was the first and longest serving rabbi for Congregation Beth Israel in Malden, Massachusetts. This collection contains ledgers with records of marriages performed in the Greater Boston area during the years 1906-1938, as well as some photographs and biographical information.

Physical Location

Located in Boston, Mass.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information is unknown.

Processing Information

Processed by Kelsey Sawyer, 2015

Title
Guide to the Ber Boruchoff Papers, P-157
Author
Processed by Kelsey Sawyer
Date
2015
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository

Contact:
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02116 United States
617-226-1245