Catalog of Manuscript Collections

Creator: Daughters of '53 (Ahavus Achus) Extent: 1.5 ft. (350 items) Description: The Ahavus Achos (Love of Sisters) was organized in New Haven by a group of Jewish women in 1853 mainly for assistance for the sick and the dead. Within 30 years the group became a benefit lodge stressing outreach. Between 1914 and 1955, they were mainly a social organization contributing to charities. Soon thereafter their nursing scholarship award was established, leading to the Rhoda Feldman Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund, which has given many scholarships and continues to do so. Included in the collection are minutes, notes, financial records, membership lists, centennial celebration material, and newspaper clippings. The early records are written in German. Research Topics: Jewish organizations and life in New Haven; social and philanthropic societies in New Haven; women’s organizations in New Haven