Nathan Kollin, Papers

• Dates: 1926-1987
• Size: .4 linear ft.
• Number of Boxes: 1
• Languages: English
• 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: Nathan Kollin
• Date: June, 1987

RP, 6/30/94

Table of Contents:

• A Note on Folder Headings
• Biographical Note
• Collection Description
• Series List
• 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 Nathan Kollin was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his early education in the Cleveland public schools and the local Talmud Torah. He attended Case Western Reserve University, but received his B.A. from the City College of New York, graduating with honors in 1925.

Kollin was ordained as a rabbi at The Jewish Theological Seminary in 1929, and filled his first pulpit, at Adath Jeshurun Congregation of Ottawa, Ontario, the same year. Kollin spent the second half of 1932 as a substitute rabbi at Congregation Beth Medrash Hagadol in Denver, Colorado. From 1933 to 1941 he served as spiritual leader of Anshe Emeth, Youngstown, Ohio. He then went to Richmond, Virginia where he was rabbi of Congregation Beth El and served as chairman of the Richmond Jewish War Record Committee of the Jewish Welfare Board. During this period he was also an official civilian chaplain, providing spiritual guidance to Jewish soldiers at nearby military training centers.

Kollin's longest stay was at Rodef Sholom, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he served from 1953 until his retirement in 1970. After his retirement, Kollin remained active in Jewish education, becoming a teacher and policy maker at the Hebrew School of Park Synagogue, Cleveland, Ohio.

Kollin was active in community and civic organizations throughout his career. His civic involvements included community chest agencies, the Red Cross, and the National Foundation on Infantile Paralysis. He was on the board of numerous Jewish community centers and Jewish community councils, as well as local sections of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Kollin contributed articles to various Jewish periodicals, and to two books: the Encyclopedia of Jewish Knowledge, by deHaas and Five Books of Moses, by A. Burstein.

Collection Description

This small collection includes photocopies of the following: biographical and autobiographical essays about Rabbi Kollin, 1985-1987; correspondence, 1926- 1946; typescript and printed verisons of published writings, 1930s-1940s; dedication books from Beth El, Richmond, Virginia, 1944, and Rodef Sholom, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 1954; educational materials from Park Synagogue, Cleveland, Ohio, 1975-1982; clippings of articles referring to Rabbi Kollin,1970-1978; and clippings and temple programs about Israel, 1948-1966.

Of particular note are Rabbi Kollin's autobiographical writings in which he reminisces about his experience as a student at The Jewish Theological Seminary in the 1920s. Kollins' correspondents include: Cyrus Adler, Louis Finkelstein, Mordecai Kaplan, Stephen Wise, and Henrik Kauffmann of the Royal Danish Legation, 1943, concerning the deportation of Danish Jews by the Nazis.

Series List

• I. Biographical and Autobiographical Essays, 1985-1987
• II. Correspondence, 1926-1946
• III. Published Essays and Articles, 1930s-1940s
• IV. Temple Dedication Books, 1944; 1954
• V. Educational Materials, Park Synagogue, Cleveland, Ohio, 1975-1982
• VI. News Clippings Regarding Kollin, 1970-1978
• VII. News Clippings and Temple Programs Regarding Israel, 1948-1966.

Box List