Metadata: Old archives
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-Archives anciennes
- Title:
- Old archives
- Title (official language):
- Archives anciennes
- Creator/accumulator:
- Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique Beth Hillel
- Date(s):
- 1965/1976
- Language:
- French
- English
- Extent:
- 5 binders
- Scope and content:
- This fonds contains correspondence, documents concerning the functioning of the UILB, lists of members, statutes, invitations, minutes of meetings, bookkeeping records, correspondence with institutions and international Jewish communities, publications of the UILB, forms sent to and completed by members (containing information on the members, their concerns, education, expectations, interest in future activities of the UILB, etc. ; these forms are bilingual, in French and English). We also note numerous photographs (not arranged and rarely dated), in black and white as well as in colour, related to the construction works and remodelling of the synagogues, the activities of the CILB, rabbi Abraham (Albert) Dahan, etc.
- 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: persons/families:
- Dahan, Abraham (Albert)
- Access, restrictions:
- Consultation requires the authorisation of the board of the Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique.
- Yerusha Network member:
- State Archives of Belgium
