Paul Baerwald Papers, 1857-1961, bulk 1907-1950
Summary Information
Abstract
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#0059
- Bib ID:
- 4078513 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Baerwald, Paul, 1871-1961
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 1.5 linear feet (3 document boxes)
- Language(s):
- English , German .
- Access:
- You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
Scope and Content
This collection documents the work of Paul Baerwald, particularly in his capacity as chairman of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee from 1932 to 1961. Materials include correspondence, photographs, speeches, reports, and clippings.
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This series contains a variety of materials, including biographical information, letters from Baerwald to his children and extended family, business papers, and drafts of speeches given at conferences and meetings.
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Series II: Correspondence, 1924-1961
This series holds a small amount of personal and business correspondence, as well as associated reports, articles, and pamphlets. Some files contain letters from prominent individuals such as Albert Einstein, Herbert Lehman, and John D. Rockefeller, while others concern organizations and committees Baerwald worked closely with. Many of the conversations relate to the JDC. There are also several files on the Baerwald School of Social Work, which include photographs taken at the school's original building in France and biographies of some of the first students. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into two series.
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Paul Baerwald Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Ownership and Custodial History
Gift of Mrs. Myron S. Faulk, Jr., daughter of Paul Baerwald, in 1968.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source of acquisition--Faulk, Mrs. Myron S., Jr. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1968. Accession number--M-40.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Correspondence, manuscripts, notes, speeches, reports, clippings, printed material Surveyed Julie Miller 05/--/87.
Papers processed Elena Locascio, Geneseo College 2012 2009.
Finding aid written Carolyn Smith September 2009.
Revision Description
2010-08-28 xml document instance created by Carolyn Smith
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Biographical sketch
Paul Baerwald was born in 1871 in Frankfurt, Germany. His father, Hermann Baerwald, was Director of the Philanthropin, a Jewish high school in Frankfurt, for 31 years. Baerwald left Germany at nineteen to join the investment firm Speyer & Brothers in London, and in 1895 he was sent to work in New York City. Baerwald became a partner at Lazard Freres in 1907. He met Edith Jacobi in New York, and they were married in 1909. The couple would have four children, Pauline, Jane, Florence, and Herman.
In 1914, Paul Baerwald helped found the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an international relief organization that provides help to Jews suffering as a result of poverty, persecution, natural disaster, or war. He retired from Lazard Freres in 1930 to devote his full attention to philanthropic work, and would serve with the JDC for 45 years, first as treasurer, and then as chairman in 1932 and honorary chairman from 1945 until his death. In 1949, JDC opened a school in Versailles, France, to train social workers. The school was transferred to Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1958 and was named the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work in his honor.
In addition to his extensive work with JDC, Baerwald served on President Franklin Roosevelt's Advisory Committee on Political Refugees during World War II. He was a close friend of New York governor and senator Herbert H. Lehman, and they collaborated on JDC projects as well as other public and philanthropic works. Baerwald was also a trustee and founder of the New York Foundation; trustee of the Palestine Economic Corporation; treasurer of the Wollman Foundation; and trustee and treasurer of the Soloman and Better Loeb Convalescent Home.
Paul Baerwald died in New York on July 2, 1961.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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