ProQuest Historical American Jewish Newspapers

Title Histories

The database includes the following content:

The American Hebrew & Jewish Messenger (1857–1922)

The American Hebrew was a weekly English language Jewish newspaper published in New York City that merged with The Jewish Messenger in 1903, after previously absorbing other regional religious papers and periodicals from Baltimore and Rochester, N.Y. The paper covered many topics of broad international interest, including the persecution of Jews in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Europe and subsequent waves of immigration to the United States. An entry in the Jewish Encyclopedia (1901-1906) stated that, "Editorially, The American Hebrew stands for conservatism in Judaism. Nevertheless, the columns of this journal are ever open to the discussion of views with which it can in no way accord, but which may be of interest to its readers. Nearly all the prominent Jewish writers and communal workers in the United States have been contributors to its pages.”

The American Israelite (1854–1922)

The American Israelite was the first Jewish newspaper published in Cincinnati, and is the longest-running English-language Jewish newspaper still published in the United States. It was founded by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, who became known as the Father of Reform Judaism in America. The paper, projecting Reform Judaism principles, had a significant influence on small Jewish communities dispersed throughout the American midwestern and southern regions.

The Jewish Exponent (1887–1990)

The Jewish Exponent is a weekly community paper based in Philadelphia. It has been published continuously since 1887, when it was founded by a group of 43 prominent Philadelphians who pledged that it would be “devoted to the interests of the Jewish people.” The paper’s perspectives have always extended beyond the region to international issues, especially the cause of Zionism. A column was devoted to “The House of Israel”. The paper has received many awards from the American Jewish Press Association.

The Jewish Advocate (1905–90)

The Jewish Advocate represents the New England Jewish community, as well as providing a forum on issues in a broader sphere. It was founded as The Boston Advocate by Jacob deHaas, executive secretary to the Austrian journalist and founder of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl. Prior to World War II, The Jewish Advocate warned of the coming of Hitler and the great danger which that would pose for the Jewish people. After the war, the paper was a key communication channel for movements leading up to the establishment of the new State of Israel. It continues to be an important source of information and discussion in the Jewish community.

Sources

All four titles have been scanned from microfilm. ProQuest has provided the following information on the filming sources and holding libraries:

Boston Advocate/Jewish Advocate: Variously filmed by Recordak/Graphic Microfilm of New England/Spaulding. Film held in ProQuest vaults. Covers 5/26/1905-12/27/1990.

Jewish Exponent: Mostly filmed by the American Jewish Periodical Center and Atlas. Film provided by Hebrew Union College. Covers 4/15/1887-12/31/1990. This film source has a fifteen year gap from 1955-1970, in addition to a few other years. ProQuest is currently attempting to source the gap.

The Israelite/American Israelite: Mostly filmed by the American Jewish Periodical Center. Film provided by Hebrew Union College. Covers 7/15/1854-12/30/1922.

The American Hebrew/Jewish Messenger: Filmed by the New York Public Library. Film provided by ProQuest (from the Norman Ross Collection). ProQuest film covers from 1/2/1857 through 4/30/1915. From 5/1/1915 through 12/31/1922 the film was supplied by Hebrew Union College.

Timetable for release of the database

Content from the four titles is expected to be complete by the end of 2011. As of September, 2011, content is available for The American Hebrew and Jewish Messenger and The Jewish Advocate.