Papers of the Maccabeans

Scope and Content

Rules and regulations and lists of members, 1893-1927, 1948, 1955 and 1964; list of names and addresses of members, 1934; membership ledger, 1900 and 1902 and two subscription ledgers, 1904-33, one with dates of elections, details of distribution of Meldola medals to public bodies, 1922, and a list of Meldola medallists, 1923-33. Four dinner books, 1903-39, tickets for admission to dinners, 1958-63 and menu cards for dinners, 1955- 62. Treasurers' papers, 1891-1939; accounts and receipts, 1923, and treasurers' correspondence, 1929-39. Volume of newspaper cuttings relating to debates, dinners, meetings, appeals, protests, and an open letter to Dreyfus congratulating him on his rehabilitation, 1905-7. Correspondence of Percy Spielmann relating to the organisation of an exhibition of 166 portraits of Jews at the First Universal Races Congress, University of London, 1906-11; list of the portraits; lists of lantern slides, lectures and lecturers, and postcards; catalogue of the Jewish art and antiquities exhibition, Whitechapel Art Gallery, 1906; notebook of the Maccabeans' sub-committee appointed to collect portraits for the Races Congress, 1911. Correspondence of Marion Spielman, President of the Maccabeans, 1904-7, together with a typescript of his inaugural speech, 1904; a menu card for decennial dinner, 1902; the President's speech at an arts dinner, 1905; and notes. Correspondence relating to Meldola medallists, 1956-8, and the formation of the Meldola Society, 1958. Photograph album of black and white photographs and a copy of an itinerary prepared by Thomas Cook for the Maccabean pilgrimage to Palestine, 1897. Diary of Lewis Long, a member of the Maccabean pilgrimage, describing the visit to Palestine, 1897.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Maccabeans were formed in 1891, devoted to philanthropic and cultural activities largely among those in the Jewish community engaged in professional pursuits, the aim being to provide 'social intercourse and co-operation among its members with a view to the promotion of the interests of Jews, including the support of ... professional or learned bodies or charities'.

Access Information

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Geographical Names