Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Small, Alvin, Small, Sylvia, Small, Elisabeth, University Archives, and Jewish Buffalo Archives Project
- Abstract:
- Personal Papers documenting aspects of the Small family in Buffalo, N.Y. Encompasses Alvin and Sylvia Small's involvement in Temple Beth Zion and Alvin Small's participation in local theatre for a number of different theater troops. Supplemented by Temple Beth Zion religious educational records relating to their children: Elisabeth and Bruce Small.
- Extent:
- 0.5 Linear Feet and 1 standard manuscript box and 1 triangular tube
- Language:
- Collection material in English.
- Preferred citation:
[Description and dates], Box/folder number, MS 200.10, University Archives, The State University of New York at Buffalo.
Background
- Scope and Content:
The collection is divided into two series: Personal materials relating to Alvin, Sylvia, Elisabeth and Bruce Small, and a second series consisting of Temple Beth Zion related materials.
In the first series, a number of clippings and photographs are included that document Alvin and Sylvia Small's community involvements and interests. Alvin Small was very active in local operetta and dramatic productions. He saved many of the playbills and some of these are the only existing copies of the productions (folder 1.2). From Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, and The Gondoliers and other operettas in which he appeared or directed, to plays such as The World of Sholem Aleichem and The Tenth Man as well as comedic and lighter fare including See My Lawyer, these playbills demonstrate the range of clubs and societies present during the 1930s through the 1960s. The JCC Operetta Club, the Dramatics and Music Workshop, the Center Little Theater and the Young People's League of TBZ are just a few of the voluntary organizations that enabled participants to perform for the local community (Jewish and non-Jewish). The range of venues utilized is shown, ranging from auditoriums at Temple Beth Zion and the Knights of Columbus, to stages at the Jewish Community Building and Kleinhans Music Hall. Some music and lyrics were composed and created by local artists such as Irving Shire and Bernard Simon. Some of the shows were held for fundraising purposes that varied greatly, for example, the show A Slight Case of Murder benefited the British Allied Relief whereas other supported Hadassah and other organizations.
"Project Big" (folders 1.12-1.14) was a significant undertaking by Temple Beth Zion, to support a trip for Alvin and Sylvia Small to Israel, for their long years of service to Temple Youth. A large number of letters were sent on their retirement and still more were received after the event. The impact of the Smalls at the Temple is apparent from the content of these letters, most of which are bound in a book created for this purpose and found in folder 1.14.
- Biographical / Historical:
Alvin Small worked as an Erie County probation officer, and was a member of Temple Beth Zion, particularly involved in Brotherhood and youth activities. He was also highly active in numerous local dramatic productions, in which he starred or directed, ranging from comedy, operetta, light and classic drama as well as new productions.
Sylvia Small was a former Group Activities Director of Temple Beth Zion and director of Youth Activities for the Young Peoples' Society. For her work with youth she was awarded an honorary life membership in the National Federation of Temple Youth. At various times she was also Director of the Jewish Center Day Trailer Camp, President of the PTA for Public School No. 22, a past Board Co-President of the Bennett High School Community Association, Chairman of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods Youth Committee for Western New York State, and an advisor to North Eastern Lakes Federation of Temple Youth (NELFTY). As Director of Adult Services Department at the Jewish Community Center in the 1970s, she oversaw the development of the Jewish Book Fair, Cultural Arts, Military Information Services, Israel Information Service, and a variety of classes.
- Acquisition information:
Elisabeth Ann Small donated her family materials in November 2009. The papers were arranged and described in September 2015 and were deposited at the University Archives, Special Collections by the Jewish Buffalo Archives Project in October 2015.
The Jewish Buffalo Archives Project was founded in late 2007 under the auspices of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Buffalo with a seed grant from the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies. The Archives Project collects mainly 20th century documentation relating to the diverse histories, religious traditions and cultures of Jewish communities within the Greater Buffalo area of Western New York, encompassing the geographic areas of Erie and Niagara Counties and partners with the University Archives at the University at Buffalo to make these records accessible.
The arrangement and description of the Alvin, Sylvia, Elisabeth and Bruce Small Family Papers, 1935-1985, were made possible by funding obtained through the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and the Bureau of Jewish Education.
- Processing information:
This collection was processed by Chana Revell Kotzin in September 2015. Finding aid encoded by Archives Staff, January 2016.
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged in two series as follows:
- Personal materials relating to Alvin, Sylvia, Elisabeth and Bruce Small
- Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo, NY
- Accruals:
Accruals are not expected to this collection.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- Jews -- New York (State) -- Western New York Region -- Religion
Jews -- New York (State) -- Western New York Region -- Social life and customs
Jews -- New York (State) -- Buffalo Region -- Archives
Judaism -- United States -- History
Letters (correspondence)
Clippings (information artifacts)
Photographs
Pamphlets
Fliers (printed matter)
Ephemera - Names:
- University Archives
Camp Lakeland (Franklinville, N.Y.)
Jewish Buffalo Archives Project
Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo
Jewish Fresh Air Camp Association (Buffalo, N.Y.)
North Eastern Lakes Federation of Temple Youth
National Federation of Temple Youth
Temple Beth Zion (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Small, Alvin
Small, Elisabeth
Small, Sylvia
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
The personal papers of Alvin, Sylvia, Elisabeth and Bruce Small Family, 1935-1985, are open for research. There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this collection.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Copyright of papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Description and dates], Box/folder number, MS 200.10, University Archives, The State University of New York at Buffalo.
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
- CONTACT:
-
716-645-2916lib-archives@buffalo.edu