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Prominent 19th Century Rabbi’s Correspondence Digitized by Yeshiva University Archives

MoraisDocumentation of Jewish religious, communal and intellectual life in the late 19th- early 20th centuries has become more accessible as a result of the digitization of the Henry S. Morais Papers, now available online through Yeshiva University Archives’ Finding Aids database. Henry Morais (1860-1935), son of the illustrious Jewish leader Sabato Morais, was a rabbi as well as a journalist.  He succeeded his father as minister of Philadelphia’s prominent Congregation Mikve Israel, and also held pulpit positions in New York City, where he settled later in his life. Morias’ Papers primarily contain his incoming correspondence, which consists of over 2000 items from a broad range of individual and organizational correspondents.  It is one of the Archives’ few collections acquired with the involvement of Yeshiva’s first president, Bernard Revel; in fact the Archives’ Revel Papers contain correspondence between Morais and Revel regarding Morais’ contribution of books and manuscripts to YU’s nascent research library. The finding aid, or descriptive guide, to the Henry Morais Papers includes a complete name index to the more than 600 correspondents, enhancing access to the materials.  Digital versions of each folder's contents can be viewed by selecting the link for each folder in the Detailed Description of the Collection section of the finding aid.  Click here to view the finding aid. The Archives’ Finding Aids database contains over 300 guides to YU’s rich and diverse trove of organizational records and personal papers relating to modern Jewish history and culture in the United States and abroad.  The Morais Papers are the first of future collections to be fully digitized by the Archives.  Materials not digitized may be viewed by appointment with the Archives at archives@yu.edu or (212) 960-5451. Posted by Deena Schwimmer