Small Institution Grant for Preservation Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey

FAIN: PG-258550-18

Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey (Fairlawn, NJ 07410-1252)
Joy Kurland (Project Director: May 2017 to March 2021)

Contracting with a consultant from the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, to conduct a preservation assessment of a collection of library and archival material documenting the social, cultural, economic, political, and religious history of the Jewish communities of Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties, New Jersey. Included are personal and family papers, photographs, and synagogue records dating to 1848 documenting the foundation of Barnert Hospital, where Jewish doctors, shut out of local hospitals, could practice.  Other material chronicles the role of Jewish immigrants in manufacturing uniforms for the Union Army, the development of Jewish football teams in the 1920s, and domestic religious practices throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries. In addition, the historical society maintains an oral history archive of over 150 interviews of Holocaust survivors, civil rights leaders, and pop culture icons.

The Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey would like to retain the services of Dyani Fiege, the
Director of Preservation Services at the Philadelphia-based firm, Conservation Center for Art and Historic
Artifacts to conduct a general preservation assessment of the collections and operations at the society’s
new location in Fairlawn, NJ. The mission of the Society is the collection, preservation, exhibition,
publication and popularization of material of every kind having reference to settlement, history and life of
American Jewry in Northern New Jersey. A 501 (c) 3 non-profit educational organization, a museum and
library are open year round. Collections are used by students, scholars, researchers, and general interest
visitors. After years of making the best of the situation, the society is now poised to improve conservation
policies. New standards of preservation are needed. This preservation assessment will be the foundation
of all future growth and stability for the collections.

Media Coverage

North Jersey Jewish Historical Society Wins Prestigious Award (Media Coverage)
Author(s): NJJL Staff
Publication: The New Jersey Jewish Link
Date: 6/7/2018
URL: https://www.jewishlinknj.com/community-news/bergen/25497-north-jersey-jewish-historical-society-receives-prestigious-national-grant

Clearly An Important Collection (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Abigail Klein Liechman
Publication: The Jewish Standard
Date: 8/2/2018
Abstract: Author interviews participants in the needs assessment visit and uses the platform of winning the grant to explain what the collection is, why it is important and why preservation plans are so critical for smaller institutions.
URL: https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/clearly-an-important-collection/

Associated Products

Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey Needs Assessment Report (Report)
Title: Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey Needs Assessment Report
Author: Dyani Feige of the Conservation Center for Arts and Artifacts
Abstract: The Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey received a grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities for a Preservation Grant for Smaller Institutions. The society commissioned Dyani Feige of the Conservation Center for Arts and Artifacts. Ms. Feige traveled from the Philadelphia headquarters to our location to examine the collection in May 2018. She submitted a report several months later. The 59 page report offers a thorough evaluation of our collection and housing and also made recommendations for necessary projects in the future.
Date: 05/19/2018

---