Jerome Lipnick (1918-1977), Papers.

• Dates: 1935-1970s
• Size: 2.5 linear ft.
• Number of Boxes: 2
• Languages:
  • English
  • Hebrew
• Location: Special Collections Reading Room, Jewish Theological Seminary Library.
• Restrictions: Reproduction of fragile items is not permitted; consult the archivist about literary rights.
• Gift Of: Jonathan Lipnick
• Date: July 8, 1992

TK, 7/8/92

Table of Contents:

• A Note on Folder Headings
• Biographical Note
• Collection Description
• Box List

A Note on Folder Headings

Individual folders are identified in the following way on the left side of each folder: Name of Collection, box #/folder#, as in Ben Zion Bokser Papers, 4/22. Please use this format in citations and when referring to files for any other reason.

Biographical Note

Rabbi Jerome Lipnick was born in Baltimore in 1918. He graduated from Baltimore City College in 1936, Baltimore Hebrew College and Teachers Training School in 1940, and Johns Hopkins University in 1940. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1945. In June 1945, after his ordination, Rabbi Lipnick became the replacement rabbi for Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington, Delaware. From 1945 through 1946 he served as rabbi for Congregation Beth Jeshurun in Houston, Texas, and from 1946 through 1960 he served Congregation Beth El in Utica, New York. Lipnick left Beth El in 1960 in order to serve at Adath Jeshurun in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained until 1965.

After leaving Adath Jeshurun, Rabbi Lipnick spent one year as the educational consultant for the World Council of Synagogues in Jerusalem before returning to pulpit work in 1966 as the rabbi of the Jacksonville Jewish Center in Jacksonville, Florida. From 1969-1976 Rabbi Lipnick worked as the Director of Education for the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization in Washington D.C.

Rabbi Lipnick died in March, 1977.

Collection Description

Rabbi Lipnick's papers, which are composed primarily of photocopies, consist chiefly of his writings and rabbinical materials, mainly from the 1950s and 1960s. Some biographical material, and material relating to civil rights and other community and political activities is also included. Lipnick's writings include speeches and sermons on topics such as life cycle events, Torah portions, holidays, kashrut, Israel, Zionism, antisemitism and the Holocaust. Also included are eulogies and correspondence with congregants and colleagues. Of particular note among Lipnick's writings is a prayer he composed entitled "Prayer at the End of a Hard Day," and an article published in The Reconstructionist entitled "Retribution is Not Enough," which sought to find means to save the European Jews who were not yet subject to Hitler's regime. The correspondence with colleagues contains several letters from Louis Finkelstein, president of the Seminary, 1940-1972.

Lipnick's years at Congregation Beth El (1946-1960) are documented only through his writings. His tenure at Adath Jeshurun (1960-1965) is more fully documented by synagogue bulletins, memoranda concerning synagogue business, meeting notes, the by-laws of the congregation, a transcript of Lipnick's installation service, and correspondence and a summary of events relating to Lipnick's departure from the synagogue, and his decision to become the educational consultant for the World Council of Synagogues. Rabbi Lipnick's activities at the Jacksonville Jewish Center (1966-1969) are documented through the center's bulletins, some of which are bound.

Also included in this collection are personal items: biographical materials, a eulogy for his funeral, materials from son Jonathan's bar mitzvah, photographs, and notes on various meetings and trips.

Box List