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Joseph Joshua Schwartz papers
Special Collections and Archives
Joseph Joshua Schwartz papers
Special Collections and Archives
Joseph Joshua Schwartz papers
Biography of Joseph Joshua Schwartz
During his life, Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz worked tirelessly on behalf of the Jewish community. As Director of Overseas Operations of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, he directed the relief and rescue of hundreds of thousands of Jews in Europe during World War II. He was recognized internationally for his humanitarian work.
Detailed Biography of Joseph Joshua Schwartz
Joseph J. Schwartz was born in Nova Odessa, Russia on March 23, 1899. He studied at the Yitzchok Elchanon Theological Seminary in New York from 1915-1921, and served as a rabbi in New York. He attended Yale University in 1926, earning a doctorate in Oriental Studies in 1928. After time spent teaching at Cairo University and Long Island University, he accepted the position of Executive Director of the Brooklyn Jewish Federation. In 1938, he assumed the post of Assistant Director of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). He was soon the Director of Overseas Operations and spent much of the next ten years overseas. He was headquartered in Paris, France until the Nazis captured the city in 1940, then lived in Lisbon, Portugal until after the war when he returned to Paris.
During the war, he organized emigration from Europe for those Jews who had travel permits. He funneled funds into France and occupied territories and actively supported underground activity in spite of the opposition of the JDC. After the war, he returned to Paris where he helped author the Displaced Persons Act, signed by President Truman, which allowed for the immigration of tens of thousands into the United States. Schwartz totally involved himself with the generation that founded the State of Israel, and he played a significant role in moving hundreds of thousands of Jews from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to Israel.
In 1948, Schwartz became chairman of the United Jewish Appeal and he was a most effective fund raiser. He later became Director of the Bonds for Israel agency, where he completed his forth decade in Jewish communal work. Schwartz died in 1975 at the age of 75. He was the outstanding Jewish communal worker of his era.
Scope and Content
Joseph J. Schwartz's papers include conference reports from organizations he directed, his dissertation and notes, publications he collected, photographs, and his family tree (Hamishpacha Schwartz), as well as other materials.
Statement of Arrangement
The collection is divided into files by subject which are arranged alphabetically. Subjects include conference reports, dissertation, photographs, and publications, as well as others.
Separated Material
Books from Dr. Schwartz's personal library are also held by Special Collections and Archives at Kent State University and are cataloged in KentLINK.
Preferred Citation
Joseph Joshua Schwartz papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
This collection and books from Schwartz's personal library are on permanent loan to Special Collections and Archives at Kent State University.
Bibliography
The biography for Joseph Joshua Schwartz was excerpted from Hamishpacha Schwartz, which is part of this collection.
Controlled-access Headings
The following are found in this collection:
Subjects:
- Schwartz, Joseph Joshua, 1899-1975 -- Archives
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Jews -- Rescue
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Jewish resistance
Organizations/Corporations:
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
Functions:
- Community organization
- Jewish leadership
Occupations:
- Civic leaders
- Jewish philanthropists
Material Types:
- Reports
- Publications
- Photographs
- Photograph albums
- Genealogies (histories)
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Academic theses
- Conference papers and proceedings
Detailed Description of the Collection
