The semi-centennial meeting of the American Jewish Historical Society, which was founded by the late Dr. Cyrus Adler in June, 1892, will be marked at ceremonies at Dropsie College on Sunday, June 14, it was announced here today.
The library of the Society today possesses the most complete collection of material on the history of Jews in the New World. It consists of approximately 9,000 bound volumes, 8,000 pamphlets, files of more than 150 periodicals, and a large number of rare historical manuscripts dealing with little known aspects of Jewish life in the Western Hemisphere. Among the most interesting papers, according to Rabbi Isadore S. Meyer, Librarian of the Society, is a copy of Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, “The New Colossus,” in the poetess’ handwriting. This poem was selected to be inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty. Another document is a letter dated December 13, 1776, from Benjamin Levy to Robert Morris, in which Levy, a Baltimore merchant, offered Morris the use of his home should the Continental Congress be forced to leave Philadelphia.
A good part of the volumes in the Society’s library are the gift of Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, noted bibliophile, who is president of the Society. The ceremonies on June 14 will be conducted under his leadership.
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