Herbert E. Drooz collection of pamphlets on Judaism

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0852

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection of pamphlets on Israel, Jewish theology, and the Jewish experience in the twentieth century was compiled by Rabbi Herbert E. Drooz, leader of the Congregation Beth Emeth of Wilmington, Delaware, from 1947 to 1982.

This collection of pamphlets, articles, periodicals, and sermons dating from 1938 to 1998 discuss Jewish theology, Israel, and the Jewish-American experience during the twentieth century. Many of the materials were created by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Hebrew Union College, various Zionist organizations, and Centers for Jewish Studies throughout the United States. In addition to pamphlets on Israel’s place on the world stage, the peace movement after World War II, and Jewish-American identity, there are several articles and sermons discussing Jewish theology and how it related to the political and social issues of the twentieth century. Notable items include Rabbi Richard C. Hertz’s “Positive Judaism” (1955), Abba Eban’s “Not Backward to Belligerence but Forward to Peace” (1967), and Elie Wiesel’s speech entitled “Against Despair” (1973).

Dates

Creation: 1938-1998, undated

Creator

Drooz, Hebert E., 1917-1999 (Compiler, Person)

Language of Materials

Materials entirely in English.

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce isrequired from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, https://library.udel.edu/static/purl.php?askspec

Biographical Note

This collection of pamphlets on Israel, Jewish theology, and the Jewish experience in the twentieth century was compiled by Rabbi Herbert E. Drooz, leader of the Congregation Beth Emeth of Wilmington, Delaware, from 1947 to 1982. Drooz was born in Albany, New York, on May 14, 1917. He received his doctorate of divinity, rabbinical degree, and master’s degree in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his tenure at Beth Emeth, Drooz oversaw the construction of a new synagogue on Lea Boulevard in Wilmington. He organized the student Hillel group at the University of Delaware and for more than 30 years participated in WDEL’s Sunday morning radio program called “The Rabbi Speaks.”

Drooz was a founding member of the Delaware chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, now known as the National Conference for Community and Justice. In 1954, Drooz spoke out against efforts in Milford, Delaware, to defy the U.S. Supreme Court decision that ordered an end to racial segregation in public schools. In 1966, he joined local Catholic and Protestant leaders in opposing American involvement in the Vietnam War. Drooz was a board member of the Fair Housing Council, Pacem in Terris, the Mental Health Association in Delaware, the Red Cross, and Delaware’s Urban Coalition. In addition to serving as co-chairman of the Delaware Dialogue of Christians and Jews, Drooz was twice president of the Rabbinical Association of Delaware.

Drooz passed away on February 8, 1999, in Newark, Delaware.

Graham, Rhonda. “Rabbi, Activist Dies at 81.” The Wilmington News Journal, February 9, 1999.Congregation Beth Emeth website, “Our History” (accessed December 6, 2017) https://www.bethemethde.org/our-history.htmlInformation derived from the collection.