Sorry to read to read about your predicament (and even more so the synagogue closures). Have you contacted the Western History Jewish Center, the UCLA Leve Center, Western States Jewish History Association, or even local university or research-oriented public libraries?
**************** Ari Kinsberg M.A., Pharm.D. Brooklyn, New York 347-244-9747 (US cell) Consultant for Rare Books and Manuscripts Registered Pharmacist (NYS, Ohio) Certified Immunizer (NYS) ________________________________ From: Hasafran <[email protected]> on behalf of Michelle Sandler via Hasafran <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 10:46 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [ha-Safran] Synagogue Archives and Enough Storage I am the Archivist of the Reform synagogue Temple Beth David in Westminster California. I am in the early stages of building an archive of our 63 year history. I have a small committee of 3 of us. Another Reform synagogue in Fountain Valley I am the Archivist of the Reform synagogue Temple Beth David in Westminster California. I am in the early stages of building an archive of our 63 year history. I have a small committee of 3 of us. Another Reform synagogue in Fountain Valley California wants to merge with us as they are in financial trouble. Both congregations just had our vote yesterday and the merger is on July 1st, 2026. We have a very small cupboard in the choir loft. This is not enough space for our archival materials let alone their huge archival collection. They have been in business for 50 years. There is no more room in the two buildings of our synagogue to house much of anything of theirs let alone all of our stuff. What do we do for storage? Or do we digitize everything flat and put it on our synagogue website. If I have to find off site storage can materials be safely stored in members garages or the large storage shed in the back of our synagogue? Or do we just toss everything after it is digitized. Funds are coming out of a Library-Archive endowment fund which is very limited. I need some of the funds for the library catalog and OPAC (ResourceMate). Our library is very small, 1,500 volumes in three places. I eliminated 1,500 volumes three years ago to make room for another preschool classroom which makes money. The other synagogue also has some books they want to bring over so finding a place for their books is going to be hard. Michelle Sandler MLS Librarian and Archivist Temple Beth David Westminster, California
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