The records consist of correspondence, minute books, financial materials, clippings, photographs, and large amounts of printed material distributed by the national organization. They are arranged in alphabetical subject files within seven series: Madison Jewish Community, Madison Hadassah Activities and Related Organizations, Regional Hadassah Organizations, National Hadassah Activities and Related Organizations, Other Zionist Organizations, Material Relating to the Formation of the Palestinian State, and Photographs.
The series on the MADISON JEWISH COMMUNITY, 1930-1966, includes Madison material not specifically related to local Hadassah activities. There is information on the two temples, the Hillel chapter at the University of Wisconsin, the Council of Jewish Women and the Madison Jewish Community Council. The file of miscellaneous Madison organizations contains lists, organized by street address, of Jewish families residing in the city.
MADISON HADASSAH ACTIVITIES AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, 1919-1970, consists of correspondence, newsletters, clippings, notebooks, membership lists and programs, and financial records which reflect the important fundraising functions of Hadassah. Through luncheons, style shows, lectures and publicity oriented events, money was raised to fund medical, child welfare and agricultural projects in Israel. The correspondence is that of chapter officers, particularly president, Mrs. S.B. (Cecile) Schein, and president and treasurer, Mrs. Herman (Fannie) Mack. The historical materials trace the growth of the organization from 1914 through 1961, as do the notebooks of minutes, 1919-1955. There is also information about related Hadassah organizations: Young Judea for school-age boys and girls and Junior Hadassah for young women mostly 18-21. These groups helped the Hadassah efforts in various fundraising projects and were used to instill Zionism in Jewish youth.
The material concerning the REGIONAL HADASSAH ORGANIZATIONS, 1930-1957, is divided into three categories: the Chicago Chapter, one of the largest in the area; and the two adjacent organizations, the Midwest Region and the Great Lakes Region. Their meetings facilitated communication between the large urban chapters and the chapters located in towns with smaller Jewish populations.
The bulk of the collection relates to NATIONAL HADASSAH ACTIVITIES AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, 1921-1961. It consists, for the most part, of printed material sent to the chapters by various national Hadassah agencies and departments. These newsletters, pamphlets, brochures and program kits informed members about national Hadassah projects, including medical, child welfare and other fundraising concerns, and helped to coordinate activities at the local level. Of interest is the program material organized topically by the generating department, meant to help plan meetings, set up discussion groups and lectures and create films and skits. Several well-documented sections concern the Medical Organization activities and the Jewish National Fund.
There is only scattered material about OTHER ZIONIST ORGANIZATIONS, 1930-1951, whose activities can be compared to Hadassah. Of particular interest is Children to Palestine, a philanthropic committee of Christians and Jews that supported Youth Aliyah.
The MATERIAL RELATING TO THE FORMATION OF THE PALESTINIAN STATE, 1937-1944, includes clippings of speeches and articles by supporters of the movement to create a Jewish state, a concept of prime importance to Hadassah in the early years of its formation.
The PHOTOGRAPHS include images of luncheons, members, and people with elected officials, including Gaylord Nelson and Governor Walter Kohler.
