Temple Archives

Temple Emanuel Archive Mission Statement

The Archives of Temple Emanuel (TEA) seeks to preserve the historical heritage of Temple Emanuel and the Jewish communities of Lakeland and Polk County, FL. The Archives solicits, collects, arranges, and describes the personal papers, photographs, and ephemera of Temple members (past and present), professional staff, visitors and volunteers; Polk County Jewish community members; and the official records of the Temple and related organizations. We also collect oral histories from (past and present) members of the Jewish community of Polk County (including Temple Emanuel, Temple Beth Shalom, B’nai B’rith [Lodge 1515], Hadassah, and unaffiliated Jews).

Our Collection

Most of the TEA’s archive is electronic, though we do have materials that have not been digitized. The Temple General Collection is the largest, enhanced by over 50 named, family collections of various sizes. More information, detailed content descriptions and access solicitations can be directed to the TEA archivist or the Temple Office (863/682-8616).

The Oral History Collection began in 2008 and today includes well over 100 distinct interviews. Projects, like “Growing Up Jewish in Polk County, FL,” are on-going. Not all interviews have been transcribed and some interviews are not released for public use. Researchers and family inquiries can be made to the TEA archivist or the Temple Office (863/682-8616).

Collection Development Policy

The Archives seeks to document the history of Polk County Jewry from its beginnings to the present. While the collections include the papers of key families with a long history in the county or the synagogue, we welcome materials from related groups who have interacted with or been involved in Jewish activities in Polk County since its inception. Recognizing the nature and scope of the Jewish community in a predominantly Christian area, the Archives does not seek to document only the synagogue-active. Those Jews who lived in the farther reaches of the county and practiced in isolation are strongly encouraged to contribute to the collections.

Resources

The Archive’s collections overlap with other important archival organizations with resources and staff ready to help researchers and families. Please note that we are part of a network of Southern Jewish places, so the list will begin with Florida, move to Southern sites and then cover more national and international resources.  check out any of the national, state and local repositories that are available on-line:

• The Lakeland Public Library’s History Room
  • The Wilfred W Wolfson Collection (prominent member of the Lakeland Jewish community has an extensive collection that has been partially digitized)
• The Polk County Historical Museums and Genealogical Library
• MOSAIC, Florida Memory Project at the Florida State Archives
• The Jewish Museum of Florida Collection (at FIU)
• The Southern Jewish Historical Society
• The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (includes wide range of topics)
  • The Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Life: Lakeland, FL
• The American Jewish Historical Society Collections
• The Jacob Rader Marcus American Jewish Archives
• The Hadassah Archives at the Center for Jewish History
• The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies

*Special thanks to Florida Southern College for its support of TEA projects, including student workers (through service learning courses and volunteering), administrative, technological, and intellectual contributions. Thanks, too, to the Southern Jewish Historical Society’s generous Scott and Donna Langston Archival Grant (2015-2016) which made possible at least 18 transcriptions.

Donations to support the Temple Emanuel Archive are gratefully accepted and appreciated.