p2635 IDA BLEHERT DAVIS: An Inventory of Her Papers Finding aid prepared by Kathryn A. Johnson and Lara D. Friedman~Shedlov. Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul MN.

Manuscripts Collection

 Finding aid encoded by Stephanie Grabowski, January 15, 1999.Finding aid written inEnglish August 2008Converted from EAD Version 1.0 to Version 2002 by Monica Manny Ralston, Daniel Sher, and Joyce Chapman. OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Minnesota Historical Society Davis, Ida Blehert. Ida Blehert Davis papers. 1930-1970. Papers of Ida B. Davis (1895-1970), a Jewish community leader in Duluth, with information on the history of the Jewish community in Duluth and St. Paul. 0.25 cu. ft. (1 box). P2635. SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION

Correspondence, miscellaneous papers, speeches, and manuscripts written by Ida B. Davis (1895-1970), a Jewish community leader in Duluth, with information on the history of the Jewish community in Duluth and St. Paul, the history of Temple Emanuel (Duluth), and lists of Jewish community organizations in Duluth.

The collection also includes a copy of Davis's booklet, Fun With Yiddish, and related correspondence; a brief history of the Menorah Society at the University of Minnesota; and a booklet published by the People's Centennial Book Committee of Minnesota entitled, The People Together (1958). The booklet includes an article by Davis, "The House My Mother Built," written under the pseudonym of Miriam Blechman.

 CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Jewish women - Minnesota. Jews - Minnesota - Duluth. Yiddish language. Organizations: Temple Emanuel (Duluth, Minn.). National Council of Jewish Women. Duluth Section. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Ida Blehert Davis Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

 Accession Information:

Accession numbers: 10,594; 10,648; 10,992; 12,825

Processing Information:

Processed by: Kathryn A. Johnson, May 1981; Lara D. Friedman~Shedlov, December 1998

Catalog ID number: 09-00320420

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION P2635 Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, undated and 1930-1970.

Miscellaneous letters to and from Davis, including a couple from her husband. The letters are supplemented by some biographical material prepared by Davis, whimsical programs from social events at their home, and similar miscellany.

 Writings and speeches, undated and 1930-1967. 2 folders.

Reminiscences on social work, family life and growing up, and local Jewish history, as well as a few speeches (similar topics) and a couple pageant and performance scripts. Some more notable papers contain information on Mrs. Davis's career as a social worker in St. Paul; historical background of the Duluth section of the National Council of Jewish Women; history of the Jewish community in St. Paul and of Temple Emanuel (a reform synagogue in Duluth, Minn.); lists of Duluth Jewish community organizations; and a speech on the Duluth Community Fund. Also included is a copy of a brief history of the Duluth Jewish community written by Harry W. Davis, Ida's husband.

Among the undated items are three letters promoting Davis's booklet, Fun With Yiddish (1967). The booklet, which is included, is a brief dictionary of Yiddish words and phrases. Also of interest is a brief history of the Menorah Society at the University of Minnesota and a booklet published by the People's Centennial Book Committee of Minnesota entitled, The People Together (1958). In the booklet is an article by Davis, "The House My Mother Built," written under the pseudonym of Miriam Blechman. Other writers in the booklet include Meridel Le Sueur and Irene Paull.

 A. B. Clarfield correspondence with Harry W. Davis and others, 1926-1946.

Letters to Davis largely excoriating his lay leadership within Temple Emanuel, the Duluth reformed synagogue to which both men belonged. Clarfield was a lawyer in Duluth.

Joseph Bronzin of the Duluth-Superior Jewish Herald: Case papers, 1961, 1965, and copies of the publication, 1959-1969. 2 folders.

Correspondence, documents, and illustrative copies of the Duluth-Superior Jewish Herald, all serving as informal evidence against Bronzin, a recent European immigrant, who apparently started publishing the newspaper, and offshoots, shortly after settling into the Duluth Jewish community. Controversy arose on several occasions over claims that Bronzin had overstepped his authority by suggesting to advertisers and other audiences that he spoke officially for several prominent Duluth and Minnesota Jewish organizations.