Metadata: Library and publications collection
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-Collection Publications et bibliothèque
- Title:
- Library and publications collection
- Title (official language):
- Collection Publications et bibliothèque
- Creator/accumulator:
- Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique Beth Hillel
- Date(s):
- 1900/1999
- Date note:
- 20th century
- Language:
- French
- Dutch; Flemish
- English
- Hebrew
- Yiddish
- Extent:
- 90 linear metres
- Scope and content:
- This fonds contains all of the publications of the CILB, including its periodical Shofar. The public library of the CILB furthermore consists of many works on Jewish thought, Jewish history, literature related to Judaism, but also Yiddish literature, publications about Israel, liberal Judaism, liturgy, rabbinical literature, the Shoah and antisemitism. We also find periodicals of Jewish communities from Belgium and other countries.
- 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)
- System of arrangement:
- The periodical Shofar is arranged chronologically (by date of publication).
- Access, restrictions:
- Consultation requires the authorisation of the board of the Communauté Israélite Libérale de Belgique.
- Finding aids:
- The works in the library have been catalogued; an MS Excel catalogue can be consulted on site.
- Yerusha Network member:
- State Archives of Belgium
