Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The History series contains data compiled by members of the Beth Israel Congregation from 1948 until 2016. This includes historical data on the congregation, its founders and note-able members including Osias Zwerdling and Thomas Cook. This series also contains data on the congregation's current and previous locations, Building Committee records, certificates, resolutions, social issues, data on the first Jewish cemetery in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Beth Israel Memorial Garden. This series also contains publications highlighting the congregation's membership, programs, and affiliations throughout the years, as well as images of some of the founding members, building locations, and dedication ceremonies, and other events. Located within this series are color slides of the Ten Commandments in Hebrew as well as a digitized audio recording of Osias Zwerdling discusing the founding/history of the congregation.

The History series (.75 linear ft.; 1962-2006) includes a history of the origin of the organization written by Evelyn Golden, papers related to the founding, clippings, documentation from the organization's 40th anniversary in 2006, and a scrapbook of newspaper articles. The scrapbook provides a particularly valuable chronological overview of Southwestern Michigan Urban League from 1962 to 1989 -- articles generated both from press releases and investigative reporting.

The History and Activities series covers the creation and structure of M.O.S.E.S., and its missions and bylaws. Daily activities are recorded through the Weekly Reports, written by the M.O.S.E.S. director Bill O’Brien from October 1997 - January 2002, photocopied newspaper articles pertaining to M.O.S.E.S. projects and predecessor organizations from February 1994 - September 2001, and records of the planning and evaluation of programs.

The first series, History and Administrative Records (1 linear foot), contains early records of the fraternity, including an audio tape interview with one of the early members of the fraternity (J. Leon Langhorne) and a minute book (1909-1927). There are also records of the activities of the fraternity, including parties, workshops, and community service. Administrative and organizational records are contained in this group as well, including organizational charts, officers' reports, minutes of meetings, and several versions of the constitution and bylaws of the chapter. This series also contains two editions of a book by Charles H. Wesley, The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life, which is a general history of Alpha Phi Alpha from 1906 to 1979. Several references to the Epsilon Chapter and the University of Michigan are made in the book, many of which have been marked.

The History and Background series describes the formation and policies of the chapter.

The History and Background series is comprised of material documenting the history of the society. It includes written histories of the organization as well material such as membership handbooks, and the society's constitution and bylaws.

Within the History and background series is documentation of the student protest leading to the establishment of University Cellar bookstore.

The History and Background Materials series (0.3 linear feet) contains documents telling the history of Canterbury House, promotional materials, and newspaper articles dating from the 1930s to 2005.

History and Background Materials comprise the first series, with items covering the years between 1924 and 1987. In these folders will be found an introductory brochure, a map, and various legal documents, including incorporation documents (1925-1961), Articles of Constitution (1924-1987), and charter renewal materials (1955, 1984).