Collection of members files

Collection description

Collection

Country:: Belgium

Holding institution:: Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique Beth Hillel

Holding institution (official language):: Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique Beth Hillel

Postal address:: Rue des Primeurs 80 / Vroegegroentenstraat 80, 1190 Bruxelles (Forest)

Phone number:: +32 (0)2 332 25 28

Web address:: http://www.beth-hillel.org/

Email:: secretariat@beth-hillel.org

Reference number:: ComIsrLibB-Brussels-Fonds Dossiers des membres

Title:: Collection of members files

Title (official language):: Fonds Dossiers des membres

Creator/accumulator:: Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique Beth Hillel

Date(s):: 1970/2016

Date note:: Material continues to be added to this collection.

Language:: French; Polish; English

Extent:: 13 linear metres

Scope and content:: This fonds consists of two series - the series of files on former members and that on current members. Each file concerns one member, often including his wife and children, meaning in practice the files generally relate to families. These files contain correspondence, personal documents, copies of birth and death records, documents regarding the various phases in the religious life of the members from their birth to their death, registration forms (for membership, for participation to introductory courses to Judaism), documents concerning gifts and material related to the conversion process, etc. We also find photographs and speeches by the rabbi on the occasion of a particular event concerning the member. These files include copies of the letters sent to the members by the CILB, its directors and the rabbis, as well as the replies from the members in question.

Administrative/biographical history:: The Union Israélite Libérale de Belgique was created in 1965 by a group of friends originating from Anglo-Saxon countries, where this type of open Reform Judaism is more common. Rabbis were hired ad hoc until the nomination of rabbi Abraham (Albert) Dahan, who remained attached to this community for more than four decades. He organised a Sunday school and a program of specific courses. Soon the first religious ceremonies took place: marriages, circumcisions, bar and bat mitzvoth. In 1970, Beth Hillel was the first synagogue in Belgium allowing girls to have their religious “confirmation” in a synagogue. The community expanded. It relocated to new buildings and acquired, in 1976, a warehouse situated in the avenue de Kersbeek. The synagogue there was inaugurated in 1979. In addition, a Talmud Torah (school for studying Judaism) was also established, accommodating dozens of children and adults. Beth Hillel is not recognised by the consistorial religious authorities. One of the main objects of controversy is the lack of recognition of the Jewishness of some members of Beth Hillel, resulting in the refusal to bury them in the Jewish cemeteries of the two orthodox Jewish burial societies. The Board of Beth Hillel has acquired an independent plot in the Kraainem cemetery called Gan Hashalom, where members of the community can be buried. Lastly, Beth Hillel is recognised as a fabrique d’église by the State, allowing the community to receive operating subsidies and public financial contributions. These subsidies, in addition to the generosity of members and friends, allowed the community to construct a new building located at rue des Primeurs 80. It was inaugurated in September 2005. (http://www.beth-hillel.org)

Access points: locations:: Belgium; Brussels

Subject terms:: Children; Conversion to Judaism; Jewish community; Jewish community records; Photographs; Rabbis; Reform Judaism; Vital records; Vital records--Birth records; Vital records--Death records

System of arrangement:: The files are arranged alphabetically by name of the members; couples and their children are grouped together in one file.

Access, restrictions:: These files are confidential. Consultation requires the authorisation of the board of the Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique.

Yerusha Network member:: State Archives of Belgium

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