Joseph J. Clarick Papers

The Joseph J. Clarick Papers, (MC 1014) cover the years 1935-1971 with the bulk of documents falling between 1944 and 1950. The papers are organized into two separate series. The first series represents documents created and amassed during Joseph Clarick's involvement with the Jewish Educational Center (located in Elizabeth, N.J.) during the period 1935 through 1951. Clarick held several positions within the organization, and his papers reflect documents created as recording secretary, president, and participant in varying Banquet and Building Fund Committees. The second series within the collection represents a group of rabbinical contracts that were formulated primarily between 1946 and 1949. Joseph Clarick served as Master of Chancery within negotiations between a number of local congregations seeking the employment of post-war European rabbis and the American Consulate.

The files reflected a chronological and topical arrangement, hut some adjustment was necessary to organize subject matter within an accessible structure. The basic file system, however, imposed by Joseph Clarick has been maintained. Both series are currently arranged in an order that has been divided according to discrete subject areas and has then been arranged alphabetically.

The Jewish Educational Center is a religious corporation that is currently comprised of 2 synagogues and 3 parochial schools. Located in Elizabeth, its existence essentially began in 1935 through the work of Rabbi Pinchas M. Teitz. The educational and religious facilities have evolve d significantly and currently reflect landmark growth in Hebrew education within the state of N.J. (For further information see Chronological History)

Clarick' s Jewish Educational Center Files represent the documentation of materials involving fund-raising activities related to the construction of educational centers and synagogues; legal and general correspondence; building committees, campaigns, and dedications; legal documentation concerning the purchase of J.E.C. related properties; financial statements and contracts; donation, pledge, and mailing lists; and contracts related to school personnel and transportation that occurred within the organization between 1935 -1971. (The majority of records occurring between the years 1944 and 1950.) The Certificate of Incorporation issued to the J.E.C. in 1944, and its constitution and by-laws are also included.

The bulk of documents within the series reflects materials amassed by Joseph J. Clarick during his active involvement within the organization during the years 1944 through 1951. Earlier documentation, however, is present, and specific materials are available which provide information regarding historical and financial property acquisition related to the development of the J.E.C. Records of deed and mortgage, title searches, surveys, and tax-related correspondence are available from 1936 to 1971. The largest group of files related to real property is concerned with the acquisition of t h e Rabbi's parsonage at 531 Chilton Ave (1944) and the school properties, specifically at 330 Elmora Ave (1944).

A significant amount of the materials present within the J.E.C. series reflects documents created while Joseph Clarick was functioning as recording secretary of the organization. The J.E.C. was incorporated in 1944, and it was in September of this year that Joseph Clarick was elected to the position of recording secretary. During 1944, t h e Building Fund Committee was also created, and activities were directed toward raising money to facilitate the construction of a new building to house both classrooms and a synagogue. The largest group of files within the series documents activities surrounding the coordination of annual banquets established to generate funds for the construction of religious and educational facilities through the sale of advertisement space within accompanying banquet journals. An array of materials is present for fund drives and banquets related to the years 1945-1950. The majority of information present covers fund drives and banquets for the years 1945-1946. (First and Second Annual Banquets, respectively.) Included are minutes and correspondence generated by the Board of Directors and Banquet Committees, mailing lists which record donation and pledge contributions, contracts for entertainment which include correspondence regarding the services of Henry Youngman and Milton Berle, receipts and donation lists related to souvenir and journal advertisements, assorted financial records concerning food and facilities, and notes related to speeches presented at annual banquets. A separate file contains a group of photographs that were taken at the First and Second Annual Banquet. Included also is a selection of photographs illustrating classroom activities during the early years of the Yeshiva Day School. Photographs within this file can also be found throughout various Banquet and Souvenir journals. Souvenir and Banquet journals issued through the J.E.C. are available in the Special Collections at Rutgers university. Specific issues that are catalogued include: 1951-1957 (11th-17th Annual Banquets, respectively), 1959-1964 (19th-24th Annual Banquets, respectively), 1969 and 1970 (29th and 30th Annual Banquets, respectively), 1975-1977 (36th-38th Annual Banquets, respectively). The 1960 and 1977 journals are testimonial issues honoring Rabbi Pinchas M. Teitz.

In 1949, Joseph Clarick was elected president of the J.E.C. The journal program for that specific year is filed chronologically within the banquet materials. Also included from the year 1949 are correspondence and speech notes related to Clarick' s address at the 4th Annual Banquet.

Contracts relating to construction activities surrounding the expansion of the J.E.C. in 1947 and 1948 are also available. Materials related to the dedication of school buildings erected in 1947 and 1951 are present and contain speeches and correspondence involving public officials and J.E.C. officers attending the ceremonies. A small number of contracts and correspondence related to school personnel and personnel policies are located within a separate folder for the years 1944-48. Contracts involving student transportation services for 1948 are also available.

An assortment of legal correspondence and documents concerning the J.E.C. purchase of cemetery land located on the Newark/Elizabeth borderline forms another sequence of files. Included is documentation of legal and financial transactions regarding the s a l e of land to the J.E.C. (1949-1952). Insurance documents, contracts facilitating the purchase of cemetery plots, and a blueprint of the cemetery gateway are also included.

General correspondence covering the years 1944 to 1949 provide an overall view of various J.E.C. activities during this time frame and include chronological correspondence related to financial and legal matters regarding the operation of the J.E.C. Other miscellaneous items included within the series are solicitation lists (including those from the United Jewish Appeal 1948-1949), and several random J.E.C. newsletters issued in 1950 and 1951.

The materials available regarding the Jewish Educational Center provide significant insights into the organization's function and activities throughout the 1940's. Since few remaining records are available at the J.E. C., the Clarick Papers provide relevant information concerning individuals and activities that contributed to the development and growth of the Jewish community and Hebrew education within the state of N.J.

The Rabbinical Contract Files represent legal documentation and correspondences related to negotiations occurring between several congregations within Union County and rabbis immigrating from post-war Europe. Joseph Clarick served as Master of Chancery within the contract negotiations, and records are available for the following congregations: