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Baruch Korff papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSS 6201

Scope and Contents note

This collection contains the catalogue and index of the Exhibition of the Rabbi Baruch Korff Archives at Brown University, 1985-1986; the full inventory of the papers; and a microfilm of the exhibition of the papers. The materials in the exhibit included materials that focused on the three aspects of Korff's life that are most documented: the rescue of European Jews during the Holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel, and the defense of President Nixon during the Watergate era (found in the catalogue of the exhibition, found in the collection).

Dates

  • 1914-1991

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Rabbi Baruch Korff papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Baruch Korff (1914-1995) was a Ukraine native who was a rabbi.

Born in Ukraine in 1914, Baruch Korff became the seventy-second generation of rabbis in his family. Following a pogrom in 1919, during which his mother was killed before his eyes, he fled to Poland. He earned his Smicha (Yoreh, Yoreh) in Poland in 1933, and his advanced Smicha (Yadin, Yadin) in Palestine in 1935.

Emigrating to the United States, he served as headmaster of Yeshiva Torath Emeth, Brooklyn, New York, 1936-1937; rabbi of Congregation Hayim Solomon, New York City, 1938-1940; advisor to the Vaad Hahatzala-Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, adviser to the War Refugee Board, director of the Emergency Committee to Save the Jewish People of Europe, and executive vice president and United Nations observer of the Political Action Committee for Palestine, 1941-1949; rabbi of Temple Israel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1950-1953; rabbi of congregation Agudath Achim, Taunton, Massachusetts, 1954-1971, subsequently elected rabbi emeritus; and chaplain of Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, 1954-1974.

In 1973 he founded the National Citizens Committee for Fairness to the Presidency and became an advisor to President Nixon; in 1974 he founded the President Nixon Justice Fund and the United States Citizens Congress. In 1983 he donated his farm in Rehoboth, Massachusetts to Brown University and moved to Providence, to act as consultant to the University with respect to the endowed scholarship, faculty prize, and archive funds that he founded.

In addition, since the 1950s he has travelled extensively in the Middle East under various auspices. He is also the author of The Warriors Manual (1943), Flight from Fear (1953), and The Personal Nixon (1974). (From the biographical note found in the inventory). He died 26 July 1995 in Providence, R.I. of pancreatic cancer.

Extent

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains the catalogue and index of the Exhibition of the Rabbi Baruch Korff Archives at Brown University, 1985-1986; the full inventory of the papers; and a microfilm of the exhibition of the papers.The materials in the exhibit included materials that focused on the three aspects of Korff's life that are most documented: the rescue of European Jews during the Holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel, and the defense of President Nixon during the Watergate era (found in the catalogue of the exhibition, found in the collection).

Other Finding Aids note

Finding aid and inventory available within the collection. Also, finding aid available on the Brown University Library website, under call number Ms. 84.3, Papers of Rabbi Baruch Korff, 1914-1995.

Custodial History note

Donated by Mark N. Brown in 1990.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; Mark N. Brown; 1990.

Appraisal note

Utah and American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007) because of Korff's involvement in American politics.

Existence and Location of Originals note

Originals are in the Papers of Rabbi Baruch Korff, 1914-1995 collection, held at Brown University Library, Providence, RI.

Processing Information note

Processed; Melissa Cowles, student processor and John Murphy, curator; 2008.

Title
Register of Baruch Korff papers
Status
Completed
Author
Melissa Cowles, student processor, and John Murphy, curator
Date
2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States