Access and Provenance Biographical Sketch Scope and Content Note Box and Folder Listing

A Finding Aid to the Gitelson Family Papers  Manuscript Collection No. 178 1888-1979 [bulk 1910-1963]. 7.09 Linear ft.

ACCESS AND PROVENANCE

 The Gitelson Family Papers were donated to the American Jewish Archives by Dr. M. Leo Gitelson, New York, NY, and Dr. Susan Aurelia Sarah Gitelson, New York, NY, in small batches over a span of time. Dr. M. Leo Gitelson and Dr. Susan Aurelia Sarah Gitelson, by the act of donating the Gitelson Family Papers to the American Jewish Archives, assigned the property rights to the American Jewish Archives. All literary rights to material in the collection are retained by the individual authors or their heirs. Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives.

The papers are available to researchers in the reading room of the Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH top

Nehemiah Gitelson

Nehemiah Gitelson was born in Svenziany, Poland in 1853. He studied at the Yeshivas in Mir and Volozhin, obtaining ordination, although he never entered the rabbinate. He first came to the United States in 1880, and made his home in New York City, running the company Nehemiah Gitelson & Sons, cotton converters and commission merchants.

Gitelson was a strong supporter of Talmudic study. In 1905, he founded the Chevra Shass at the Congregation Sons of Israel Kalwarie in New York City, leading this organization for more than twenty five years. His personal collection of over 1100 volumes was bequeathed to the Jewish Theological Seminary library, where it is known as the Nehemiah Gitelson Talmudic Library. The JTS, as well as Alpha Epsilon Pi, a national Jewish college fraternity, award a medal annually in Gitelson’s memory.

Nehemiah Gitelson was married to Bailey Weiseiski and had several children including Moses Leo Gitelson, Bertha Gitelson, and Tessie Gitelson Feinfeld.

M. Leo Gitelson

Born in Mariampol, Russia (currently Lithuania) in 12 December 1896 to Nehemiah and Bailey Gitelson, Moses (M.) Leo was brought to America in 1901. Gitelson was educated at public schools and at the Teachers Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, receiving a diploma in 1915. Gitelson received a B.S. from the College of the City of New York in 1916 and a Masters of Business Administration from New York University in 1921. In 1926, he received a Ph. D. in Economics and Business Administration from New York University. Gitelson was a veteran of World War I, serving in the Chemical Warfare Service. Beginning in 1916, Gitelson worked for his father’s firm, Nehemiah Gitelson & Sons. He developed it into the Gitelson Fabrics Corp. and the Benguitelle Corp. Gitelson was also involved in the New York Board of Trade and the Textile Fabrics Association.

An ardent bibliophile, Gitelson took an interest in microfilms, and through the Gitelson Library Foundation gave copies of rare books, manuscripts and other documents to many institutions including the Library of Congress, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and the British Museum. Gitelson was publisher of The Chronicle and The Magnet, scholarly quarterlies. He was an overseer of the Jewish Theological Seminary and a trustee of the Jewish Publication Society of America. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, honorary scholarship fraternity, and Alpha Epsilon Pi.

M. Leo Gitelson married Miriam Silverman on 14 July 1935 and had two daughters, Consuelo (Connie) Gitelson Gruber and Dr. Susan Aurelia Sarah Gitelson. He died on 23 August 1964.

Related AJA Collections

SC-3131 Albert Einstein to M. Leo Gitelson, 17 April 1952 [consisting of a page of mathematical formulae]
PC-1445 Moses Leo Gitelson Photograph File
PC-1446 Nehemiah Gitelson Photograph File
Moses Leo Gitelson Nearprint Biography File
Susan Aurelia Gitelson Nearprint Biography File
Jewish Theological Society of America - Medallion commemorating Nehemiah Gitelson Rare Documents File

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE top

 The Gitelson Family Papers consist of business and personal correspondence and records of this prominent New York City family, beginning with Nehemiah Gitelson, continuing through his son, M. Leo Gitelson, and his granddaughter, Susan Aurelia Sarah Gitelson. The business records include correspondence, ledgers, business cards and other various materials documenting the firm of Nehemiah Gitelson & Sons, as well as Gitelson Fabrics Corp. and the Benguitelle Corp. Business correspondence also documents M. Leo Gitelson's work with the New York Board of Trade and the American Standards Association. Personal correspondence and records includes letters to and from Nehemiah Gitelson and his children (M. Leo, Bertha, and Tessie), information on the education of his children, as well as correspondence of Susan Gitelson.

The collection also documents M. Leo and Susan Gitelson's involvement in the Gitelson-Kamaiko Cousins Club and the Gitelson-Kamaiko Foundation through the publication of the Chronicle and the Magnet, including proofs and drafts of these publications. Furthermore, the collection thoroughly documents the Nehemiah Gitelson Foundation and its sponsorship of various microfilming and library projects, as well as awards and scholarship.

Span dates for the collection are 1888-1979, with the bulk of the material falling between 1910 and 1963. The collection has been maintained in original order as donated.

BOX AND FOLDER LISTING top

Box Folder	Contents

1	1	Nehemiah Gitelson and Sons.  Business Correspondence and Records.  1900-1931.  
1	2	Nehemiah Gitelson and Sons.  Business Correspondence and Records.  1888-1948
1	3	Gitelson, Bertha and Tessie.  Correspondence and Records.  1902-1928.  
1	4	Invitations.  1917-1948, undated.  
1	5	Miscellaneous Clippings and Notes.  1916-1937, undated.
1	6	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence and Records.  1909-1918.
1	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Business Correspondence and Papers.  1931-1943.

2	1	Gitelson, Nehemiah and M. Leo.  Business Correspondence.  1932-1934.
2	2	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1918.
2	3	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1916-1918.
2	4	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1918.
2	5	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1917-1918.  
2	6	Gitelson, Susan Aurelia. Correspondence.  1963-1979.
2	7	Gitelson, Susan Aurelia.  Letterbooks.  1959-1960.
2	8	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1917-1920.

3	1	Gitelson, Nehemiah. Business and Family Correspondence.   1900-1931.
3	2	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1909-1910.
3	3	Gitelson, Nehemiah. Business Correspondence.  1916-1918.
3	4	Gitelson, Nehemiah. Business Correspondence.  1916-1917.
3	5	Gitelson, Nehemiah. Business Correspondence.  1918.
3	6	Gitelson, Nehemiah and M. Leo.  Business Correspondence.  1910-1937.
3	7	Gitelson, Nehemiah and M. Leo.  Business Correspondence.  1908-1930. 
3	8	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1918-1919.
3	9	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence.  1919-1920.
3	10	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence in Yiddish.  circa 1900-1920.

4	1	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence in Yiddish.  circa 1900-1920.
4	2	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Business Correspondence in Yiddish.  circa 1900-1920.
4	3	Gitelson, Nehemiah. Business and Family Correspondence.  1902-1926.
4	4	Miscellaneous Materials, mostly M. L. Gitelson.  1911-1947.
4	5	Condolence Letters on Death of Nehemiah Gitelson.  1932.  
4	6	Miscellaneous Materials, M. L. and Nehemiah Gitelson.  undated.
4	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Personal Correspondence (Mostly in Yiddish).  1948.  
4	8	Correspondence.  Business and Personal.  In Yiddish.  circa 1910-1930.

5	1	Correspondence.  Business and Personal.  In Yiddish.  circa 1910-1930.
5	2	Correspondence.  Business and Personal.  In Yiddish.  circa 1910-1930.
5	3	Correspondence.  Business and Personal.  In Yiddish.  circa 1910-1930.
5	4	The Chronicle and Magnet [Gitelson-Kamaiko Cultural Foundation].  1961-1962.  
5	5	The Chronicle and Magnet [Gitelson-Kamaiko Cultural Foundation].  1961-1962.
  
6	1	The Chronicle and Magnet [Gitelson-Kamaiko Cultural Foundation].  1961-1962.  
6	2	The Chronicle and Magnet [Gitelson-Kamaiko Cultural Foundation].  1961, undated.  
6	3	Bookplates.  1962-1963.  
6	4	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with American Jewish Committee.  1961.  
6	5	Awards funded by Gitelson Family.  1962-1963.  
6	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Barnard College.  1961-1962.
6	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Book Purchases.  1962.  
6	8	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Columbia University.  1961-1962.  
6	9	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Receipts for Donations.  1961-1962.  
6	10	Gitelson Libraries Foundation.  Correspondence and Bookplates.  1955, 1961-1962.
6	11	Family Materials.  [Includes telegrams about Nehemiah Gitelson's illness, 1932].  circa 1930s.
6	12	Gitelson, Bertha. School Notes.  1923.
6	13	Gitelson Foundation.  1955-1956, 1961.  

7	1	Gitelson-Kamaiko Foundation.  1951-1961.  
7	2	Gitelson, Miriam.  Lawsuit with Papilsky Caterers.  1961.
7	3	The Chronicle. Photostats of Research Materials.  Undated.
7	4	The Chronicle. Photostats of Research Materials.  Undated.
7	5	Gitelson, M. Leo.  League of Jewish Youth of New York Materials.  1915-1916.
7	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with The New-York Historical Society.  1961-1962.
7	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence Regarding Memorial for Isidor and Ida Straus.  1961-1962.  
7	8	Gitelson, Nehemiah and M. Leo.  Business Correspondence.1915-1919.
7	9	Postcards.  undated.

8	1	Various Family Materials (including school work).  1910s-1963.
8	2	Various Family Materials (including school work).  1914, 1922, undated.
8	3	Family Materials for the Chronicle.  circa 1960s.
8	4	Family Materials for the Chronicle.  circa 1960s.

9	1	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Papers.  1910s-1960s.
9	2	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Papers.  1910s-1960s.
9	3	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Papers.  1961.  
9	4	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Papers [Includes WWI medal].  1918, 1961-1962.
9	5	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Papers.  1958-1963.  
9	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Papers.  [Includes commencement booklet from NYU].  1926, 1962-1963.
9	7	Gitelson, Bertha.  Education and Health.  1919-1937.
  
10	1	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Correspondence.  1907-1918.  
10	2	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Personal Correspondence.  1935-1938.  
10	3	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Columbia University Library.  1955.  
10	4	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Brandeis University Library.  1952-1955.
10	5	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Notes regarding Gitelson Library Projects.  1963.  
10	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Miscellaneous Correspondence regarding Library Projects, etc.  1952-1963.  
10	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Miscellaneous Correspondence with University Libraries regarding Library Projects.  1963.  
10	8	Miscellaneous Correspondence and Programs.  1963.  

11	1	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Writings for the Family Foundation.  circa 1960s.
11	2	Material for the Chronicle and the Magnet.  undated.  
11	3	Miscellaneous Correspondence.  1963.  
11	4	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Miscellaneous Correspondence.  1961.  
11	5	Gruber, Consuelo Gitelson.  Various Materials.  circa 1940s-1960s.  
11	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Jewish Publication Society of America.  1961-1962.  
11	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Jewish Theological Society of American.  1961-1962.  
11	8	Gitelson, Nehemiah.  Letter from Felix M. Warburg.  1917.  
11	9	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Various Correspondence.  circa 1920s-1960s.
11	10	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Various Correspondence.  circa 1920s-1960s.
11	11	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Materials from Temple Ansche Chesed.  1952-1955, 1961.
  
12	1	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence regarding Library Projects.1955-1963.  
12	2	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Medallic Art Company.  1955-1956.  
12	3	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Touro-Redwood.  1952-1955.  
12	4	Silverman, Louis.  Naturalization Certificate.  1942.  
12	5	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Bloch Publishing.  1948.  
12	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with New York University.  1950-1955.  
12	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.  1949-1955.  
12	8	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with American Jewish Archives.  1952-1960.  
12	9	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with the City College of New York.  1949-1955.  
12	10	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with the American Institute.  1949-1955.  
12	11	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Brandeis University Library.  1949-1957.  
12	12	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation.  circa 1920s-1950s.  
12	13	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Dropsie College.  1949-1952.  
12	14	Nehemiah Gitelson and Sons.  Business Correspondence.  1908-1931.  
12	15	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Various Colleges regarding Naming.  1963.  
12	16	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Letters Concerning Gitelson Libraries.  1955-1961.  

13	1	Nehemiah Gitelson and Sons.  Business Correspondence and Documents.  1902-1937.  
13	2	Gitelson, M. Leo and Susan.  Various Correspondence.  circa 1950s-1960s.  
13	3	Messages of Condolence on Death of M. Leo Gitelson.  1964-1965.  
13	4	Messages of Condolence on Death of M. Leo Gitelson.  1964-1965.  
13	5	Various Speeches and Addresses.  1912-1954, undated.
13	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Materials for Shaare Zedek League.  1923-1927. 
 
14	1	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Jewish Theological Seminary.  1947-1955.  
14	2	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with Jewish Publication Society of America.  1947-1954
14	3	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Materials from Temple Ansche Chesed.  1951-1956.  
14	4	Nehemiah Gitelson Foundation Correspondence, A-H.  1937-1955.  
14	5	Nehemiah Gitelson Foundation Correspondence, I-R.  1937-1960.  
14	6	Nehemiah Gitelson Foundation Correspondence, S-Z.  1916-1956.  
14	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence and Materials for Menorah Society.  1918.  
14	8	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Philanthropy Bills Paid.  1937-1953.
  
15	1	New York Board of Trade.  1932-1958.  
15	2	New York Board of Trade.  1932-1958.  
15	3	New York Board of Trade.  1932-1958.  
15	4	New York Board of Trade.  1932-1958.  
15	5	New York Board of Trade.  1932-1958.  
15	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Personal Items [includes various membership cards].  1938-1964.  

16	1	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Business and Personal Telegrams, A-H.  undated.  
16	2	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Business and Personal Telegrams, I-R.  undated.  
16	3	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Business and Personal Telegrams, S-Z.  undated.  
16	4	Senior Class Play, "You'll Get There," Teachers Institute.  1915.  
16	5	Gitelson-Kamaiko Cousins Club and Family Correspondence.  1938-1962.  
16	6	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Medallions and Bookplate Correspondence and Documents.  1941-1956.  
16	7	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Will and Biographies.  1945-1959.  

17	1	Nehemiah Gitelson and Sons.  Miscellaneous Business Items.  1936-1961.  
17	2	Financial Transactions.  1940s-1960s.  
17	3	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Correspondence with the American Standards Association.  1932-1938.  
17	4	Gitelson, M. Leo.  Insurance Policies.  circa 1920s-1950s.  
17	5	Gitelson-Kamaiko Cousins Club and Family Correspondence.  1938-1962.  

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