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Guide to the Papers of Alice Davis Menken (1870-1936),undated, 1882-1936

*P-23

Processed by Felicia Herman

American Jewish Historical Society

Center for Jewish History

15 West 16th Street

New York, NY 10011

Phone: (212) 294-6160

Fax: (212) 294-6161

Email: info@ajhs.org

URL: http://www.ajhs.org

© 2004 American Jewish Historical Society, Newton Centre, MA and New York, NY. All rights reserved.
Machine-readable finding aid created by Felicia Herman as MS-Word document. August 1995. Electronic finding aid converted to EAD 2002 by Tanya Elder. December 2004-January 2005. EAD edited to conform with box-folder-item format by Marvin Rusinek, March 29, 2006.

Descriptive Summary
Creator: Menken, Alice Davis, 1870-1936
Title: Alice Davis Menken Papers
Dates: undated, 1882-1936
Abstract: An important figure in the social welfare movement, Menken devoted much of her life to working with women in the penal system. The collection contains publications about social reform by Menken and others. Personal materials include scrapbooks and travel notebooks. Also includes correspondence, reports, etc. relating to activities with the Society of New York State Women, Jewish Welfare Board, Jewish Protectory and Aid Society (later called Jewish Board of Guardians), New York City Woman's Night Court, Hudson State Training School, New York State Reformatory for Women, Society for Political Study, Daughters of American Revolution, Progressive Party, Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense, New York, Congregation Shearith Israel, Florence Crittendon League, Committee of Fourteen and the Inwood House; includes also journals, diaries and other material relating to personal life, and a biographical sketch submitted to the Jewish Biographical Bureau, and copies of published and manuscript articles. Contains a "Survey of Reformatory and Correctional Institutions and Agencies As Related To The Problem of Commercialized Vice" in manuscript, submitted in August 1919 and also material relating to program and activities of New York Training
Languages: The collection is in English, French, and Yiddish.
Quantity: 8.30 linear feet (3 manuscript boxes, 4 oversized boxes)
Identification number: P-23
Repository: American Jewish Historical Society
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Biographical Note
Portrait of Alice Davis Menken

Alice Davis Menken, undated

Alice Davis Menken
(1870-1936)

Alice Davis was born on August 4, 1870, in New York City. She was the third of the seven children of Michael Marks and Miriam Maduro Peixotto Davis, and was descended from several prominent European Sephardic families. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution on her mother's side.

Harold Davis Menken, was born in 1895. In 1896, she helped to establish the Sisterhood of Congregation Shearith Israel, and she served as its president from 1900 to 1929. She began her social relief work in the Sisterhood's settlement house on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the "Neighborhood House."

Through this settlement house work, Menken became involved in the problem of delinquency among Jewish women. Much of this delinquency was connected to the white slave trade, as traders preyed on the girls and young women who immigrated alone to the United States. In 1908, Menken founded a Sisterhood committee to work in cooperation with the New York City Probation Department in the Women's Night Court, assisting delinquent Jewish women involved in the criminal justice system.

Menken was also involved in the founding of the Jewish Board of Guardians, was the chair of the Department of Court, Probation and Parole of the Board of Guardians' Women's Division, and was its vice president at the time of her death. She also chaired a committee of the Council of Jewish Women which worked with women paroled from New York State prisons.

Menken helped to found the Jewish Big Sister movement in 1911, and in 1920 was appointed by New York Governor Alfred E. Smith to the Board of Managers of the New York State Reformatory for Women.

Menken died in New York on March 23, 1936.


References:
The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. 7.

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Scope and Content Note

The papers of Alice Davis Menken contain correspondence, reports, published and unpublished articles notebooks, travel diaries, ephemera, programs, photographs, post cards, book reviews, and pamphlets relating to Menken's work with a number of agencies, incluidng: the Society of New York State Women, the Jewish Welfare Board, the Women's Motor Corps of America, the Jewish Protectory and Aid Society (later renamed the Jewish Board of Guardians), the New York City Women's Night Court, the Hudson State Training School, the New York State Reformatory for Women, the Society for Political Study, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Progressive Party, the Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense, Congregation Shearith Israel, the Florence Crittendon League, the New York Training School for Community Center Workers, the Committee of Fourteen, and Inwood House. Also included is material pertaining to her personal life, copies of her published and unpublished writings, other printed material relating to corrections and the penal system and photographs.

Menken's scrapbooks cover the years 1883-1936. They contain 2,200 items including newspaper clippings, manuscript, typescript and published essays and speeches, ribbons and badges, postcards, photographs, correspondence and ephemera. [Use of the scrapbooks may be restricted because of their ongoing conservation.]

The collection is valuable to researchers studying New York Jewry, the history of the New York (and U.S.) corrections system, any of the above-mentioned organizations, and women and Jews in (non-professional) social work.

Of special interest is correspondence between Menken and other influential Jews of the time such as H. Pereira Mendes, David de Sola Pool, and Jessica B. Peixotto on her work; also interesting is an illuminated book give to Menken by the Sisterhood of Shearith Israel in 1926 (she was its president for several years).

Most of the documents are in English, though there are a few pieces in French and Yiddish.

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Arrangement

The collection has been arranged into four series and an oversized separate material listing as follows:

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Executive Director of the American Jewish Historical Society, except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:
American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011.

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Related Material

Material pertaining to Alice Davis Menken can be found in the collections of Rosalie Solomons Phillips (P-17), Congregation Shearith Israel (I-4), and the Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations (I-208). Contact the Photo Archivist for access to the AJHS photo collection. The Library of the American Jewish Historical Society also owns several of Menken's published works; researchers should consult the library catalogue for more information.

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Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Identification of item, date (if known); Alice Davis Menken Papers; P-23; box number; folder number; American Jewish Historical Society, Newton Centre, MA and New York, NY.

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Aquisition Note

Alice Davis Menken donated her papers to the Society in 1932 and 1937.

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Access Points

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Container List

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

 

Series I: Writings By and About Menken, undated, 1913-1925, 1929-1933.

English and Yiddish.
Box 1, Folders 1-5
Arrangement:

Folders are arranged by subject.
Scope and Content:

Series I contains published articles, pamphlets, reports, flyers, and mailings by or about Menken. Additional writings by and about Menken are located in Series IV: Scrapbooks, please refer to Item List. A necrology of Mortimer M. Menken is available in Box 1, Folder 5.

Box Folder Title Date
1 1 Published articles by Alice Davis Menken 1922-1925, 1931, 1933
    1 of 3 folders.  
Box Folder Title Date
1 1 1) Hints for Meeting the Problem of Maladjusted Youth: A Study in Social Work for Beginners. 1922
   

New York City

Booklet, 2 copies. 		 
1 1 2) "A Social Aspect of the Unmarried Mother," The Journal of Delinquency, 7:2. March 1922
    Pages 99-103 (and 2 reprints).  
1 1 3) "The Physical and Financial Problems of Girl Probationers," Probation and the Prevention of Delinquency, Proceedings of the National Probation Association, 1923. N.Y., National Probation Association, Inc., 1924 1923, 1924
    Pages 106-109.  
1 2 Published Articles by Alice Davis Menken 1922-1925, 1931, 1933
    2 of 3 folders.  
Box Folder Title Date
1 2 1) "The Rehabilitation of the Morally Handicapped," Journal of the American Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, 15:1. May 1924
    Pages 147-154 (2 journal issues, 2 copies, and 2 reprints).  
1 2 2) Delinquent Girls on Parole: A Study of Girls Paroled from Cedar Knolls School 1909-1925
    Booklet, 3 copies.  
1 3 Published Articles by Alice Davis Menken 1922-1925, 1931, 1933
    3 of 3 folders.  
Box Folder Title Date
1 3 1) "Religious Education for the Jewish Youth," The Jewish Forum, 14:2. February 1931
    Pages 59-60.  
1 3 2) "A Woman's Reformatory in the Making Minimum Standards," Janie M. Coggeshall and ADM, The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 23:5. January-February 1933
    Pages 819-828.  
1 3 3) "Law Enforcement in Relation to the Treatment of Sex Offenders in New York City," Journal of Social Hygiene, 19:3. March 1933
    Pages 143-150.  
1 4 Other articles and pamphlets undated, 1913-1916, 1921, 1929, 1932-1933
Box Folder Title Date
1 4 1) Report of the Probation Committee of the Sisterhood of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in the City of New York, Inc. 1913-1916
   

She is a member of the committee.

Pages 59-60. 		 
1 4 2) Report of the Sisterhood of the Spanish and Portugese Synagogue, ADM. 1916?
1 4 3) "Address of Dr. Cyrus Adler, Delivered at the Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Sisterhood of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Mod." November 27, 1916
1 4 4) "Addresses at the Annual Banquet of The Poor Richard Club," Philadelphia. 1915
   

Including: "The American Woman in Municipal Life" by Dr. Katherine Bement Davis, "Peace and Prosperity" by Hon. William Jennings Bryan.

 
1 4 5) "Victory Hall: Monograph No. 3 and Advanced Plans, 2nd Ed." 1920
   

Plans for a memorial hall for veterans.

  
1 4 6) "55th Annual Report of the Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes of N.Y.C." 1921
   

She is mentioned on page 10 as one of the 1st female members of the Board of Trustees and on page 22 as being responsible for organizing the pupils' religious instruction.

 
1 4 7) Booklet, Annual Report of the Florence Crittendon League, Inc., N.Y.C. 1929
   

She wrote the booklet's foreword and is on the Board of Directors of the League.

  
1 4 8) "The Correctional Institutions for Women," by Commission to Investigate Prison Administration and Construction, presented to N.Y. State Legislature. February 1932
   

She is thanked as the Chairman of the Department of Court Probation and Parole, Women's Division, Jewish Board of Guardians.

  
1 4 9) Bulletin of the Mass Society for Social Hygiene, 3:4 April 1933
   

Cites ADM's article in Journal of Social Hygiene, 1933.

 
1 4 10) Flyer for lectures given by ADM on "Can We Help our Unfortunate Sister and How?" undated
1 4 11) Pamphlet on "The Oriental Sephardic Jews of New York," by J. de A. Benyunes. undated
   

Mentions Spanish and Portugese Synagogue and its sisterhood.

  
1 4 12) Mailing from Sisterhood of Spanish and Portugese Synagogue soliciting funds for their "Neighborhood House," 133 Eldridge Street. 1921
   

Including article by ADM, Sisterhood President, "Our Neighbor-Friends".

  
1 5 Published articles about A.D. Menken 1918-1921, 1930-1933
Box Folder Title Date
1 5 1) "The Activities of the Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense," N.Y. 1918-1919
   

She's a committee member.

  
1 5 2) "The Passing of the Women's Night Court in New York City," ADM, The Survey. October 12, 1918
    Pages 41-42.  
1 5 3) "The Committee of Fourteen in New York City, Annual Report, 1920," N.Y. 1921
   

She's on the committee, is on the Board of Directors.

  
1 5 4) Mailing from Sisterhood of Spanish and Portugese Synagogue soliciting funds for their "Neighborhood House," 133 Eldridge Street, including article by ADM, Sisterhood President, "Our Neighbor-Friends." 1921
   

She's on the committee, is on the Board of Directors

  
1 5 5) "New York Lawyers Association, Necrology of Mortimer Morange Menken". 1930
1 5 6) "Humanities in the Women's Court of New York," ADM, The Woman Republican, 1:2. February 1931
    Pages 3+.  
1 5 7) "Municipal Government: Newer Trends," ADM, The Woman Republican, 10:9. February 27, 1932
    2 copies.  
1 5 8) "As A Woman Sees It," ADM, The Woman Republican, 10:16. August 1932
    Page 7 (2 copies).  
1 5 9) Letters to her about her various articles and booklets, particularly her article "Law Enforcement..." 1933
1 5 10) "Reformation is a Work of Optimism: Mrs. Menken Writes Her Thirty Years of Social Work," New York Evening Post. October 21, 1933
1 5 11) "A New Deal for Delinquent Girls," Flushing, L.I. North Shore Daily Journal. November 17, 1933
   

Same article in The West Virginian, Fairmont, WV and Long Island Daily Press and The Lincoln Evening Journal.

 
1 5 12) "Alice Davis Menken," Amerikaner (The Jewish American Family Magazine and Gazette". March 23, 1934
    In Yiddish.   
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Series II: Personal, undated, 1882-1918, 1921, 1924, 1926-1927, 1929, 1932-1933.

English and French.
Box 2; Box 3, Folders 1-2; Oversized folder in Box 7.
Arrangement:

Subseries are arranged by subject.
Scope and Content:

Series II contains items pertaining to Menken's education, leisure trips, genealogy, and personal ephemera. The series also includes material pertaining to Menken's public activities and contains photographs taken of Menken. The series is organized into three subseries: Subseries A: Education; Subseries B: Travel and Photographs; and Subseries C: Biographical.

Subseries A: Education,  undated, 1882-1917.

English, French.
Box 2, Folders 1-3.
Arrangement:

Folders are arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:

Box 2, Folder 1 includes school notebooks filled with Menken's compositions and poetry of various authors. Menken began compiling her notebooks while she was attending Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Gardner's School. She graduated from the Gardner's School in 1887 and continued collecting "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors," until 1917. This subseries also includes poetry the young Alice G. Davis wrote to her future husband, "Mortie."

Box 2, Folder 2 contains a manuscript of a paper titled "The Growth of Modern Philanthropy." The paper, written in 1892, most likely was written for a class Menken attended in social work. Menken later studied at the New York Training School for Community Center Workers. Her lecture notes, handouts and papers are located in Box 2, Folder 3. Folder 3 also includes general information concerning the training school and correspondence between Menken and school administrators and teachers.

Box Folder Title Date
2 1 School notebooks 1882-1917
    Contains French.   
Box Folder Title Date
2 1 1) "Alice G. Davis Compositions". 1885
   

15 years old, 1885, Gardner Institute.

  
2 1 2) "Original Poetry by Alice G. Davis, 1885-1887". 1885-1887
   

Includes "Thoughts on the Departure of our New Year (Jewish)" and some poems to "Mortie" (her future husband).

  
2 1 3) "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors". 1884
2 1 4) "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors". 1884-1885
2 1 5) "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors". 1885
    Contains French.   
2 1 6) "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors". 1885-1886
2 1 7) "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors". 1886-1889
2 1 8) "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors". 1889-1899
2 1 9) "Gems of Poetry from Various Authors". 1899-1917
2 1 10) Compositions. 1882-1883
2 2 "The Growth of Modern Philanthropy" 1892
    Contains French.   
Box Folder Title Date
2 2 1) Handwritten manuscript draft, "The Growth of Modern Philanthropy". 1892
2 3 New York Training School for Community Center Workers undated, 1915-1917
    Contains French.   
Box Folder Title Date
2 3 1) Booklet on N.Y. Training School for Community Center Workers. 1915-1916
   

Describing their goals, methods, organization, course of study, requirements for admission, etc.

  
2 3 2) Letter from Anna H. Drayton to ADM. August 30, 1915
   

Accepting Menken for part time work in the Training School.

  
2 3 3) Office Hours and calendar for educational staff and workers at N.Y. Training School. 1915-1916
   

Directions for reports of visiting and observation and play streets that are open.

  
2 3 4) Typed notes on programs of different social and community centers. 1915
2 3 5) Bibliography. undated
2 3 6) Typed notes on lectures by John Collier, "Lecture on Community Center". October 20, 1915
2 3 7) Typed notes, observations from visiting P.S. 63. October 22, 1915
2 3 8) Typed notes on lecture by John Collier, "Labor Unions in relation to the Community Center". October 22, 1915
2 3 9) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Harrison, "A Social Survey of Community Forces". October 25, 1915
2 3 10) Typed notes on lecture by McCune Lindsey, "Political City". October 27, 1915
2 3 11) Typed notes, "The Gary System at P.S. 45". October 27, 1915
2 3 12) Typed questions, "Community Center P.S. 53". October 28, 1915
2 3 13) Observation from visiting P.S. 53. October 28, 1915
2 3 14) Typed notes on lecture by Albert Sonnichen, "Community Centers of Belgium". October 29, 1915
2 3 15) Visit to P.S. 41. October 30, 1915
2 3 16) Typed notes on lecture by Mary Austin. November 1, 1915
2 3 17) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Harrison. "Surveys". November 3, 1915
2 3 18) Typed notes on lecture by Aronovici, "The Economic City". November 5, 1915
2 3 19) Typed notes on lecture by Ford, "City Planning". November 8, 1915
2 3 20) Typed notes on practicum and discussion on community centers. November 10, 1915
   

Handwritten note on fragment of paper follows.

  
2 3 21) Typed notes on lecture by Dr. Gulick, "Problem of Leisure". November 12, 1915
   

Following is a list of Leisure Topics.

  
2 3 22) Typed questions, "Visit to Ellis Island". November 15, 1915
2 3 23) Typed notes on lecture, "Crime and Leisure". November 29, 1915
2 3 24) Typed notes on lecture by Michael M. Davis, "The Community Clinic". December 3, 1915
2 3 25) Typed notes on lecture, "Relation of the Community Center to the Board of Education and the Administration department of the Community Center". December 6, 1915
2 3 26) Typed questions that arose from a lecture by Mr. Collier. December 7, 1915
2 3 27) Typed "cover sheet," title is "Practice and questions on a survey of district from 14th to 20th streets 3rd avenue to river". December 8, 1915
2 3 28) Handout of questions of students to be answered by the class. December 10, 1915
2 3 29) Typed notes on lecture by Dr. Brill, Psychologist, Biological structure. December 10, 1915
2 3 30) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Collier, "Talk on 'Psych-Analysis,'" (continued). December 13, 1915
2 3 31) Typed notes on "report on survey in district, 14th to 20th St. Fourth Avenue to River at Public School 104". December 13, 1915
   

(See Item #27)

 
2 3 32) Copy of letter from Jeanette Ezekiel, Supervisor of Training, to Menken. December 17, 1915
   

Ezekiel asks for data in connection to conferences being prepared by Dr. Gulick on the "Leisure Problem."

  
2 3 33) Typed notes on "reply to request of Supervisor of Training". December 22, 1915
   

(See Item #32)

 
2 3 34) Typed notes, "Program P.S. 104, Opening Week". January 3, 1916
2 3 35) Typed notes on lecture by John Collier, "Delinquency". January 3, 1916
2 3 36) Notices, P.S. 104 Opening. January 10 and 12, 1916
2 3 37) Typed notes on syllabus of lecture by Albert Shiele. January 10, 1916
2 3 38) Handout on list of arrangements for community centers. January 10, 1916
2 3 39) Handwritten notes of upcoming meetings, lectures, and questions to be answered by each student, "What does a Community Center mean?" January 1916
2 3 40) Typed paper by ADM, "What is a Community Center?" January 11, 1916
2 3 41) Typed notes, "Committee Appointed to Serve at P.S. 104". January 15, 1916
2 3 42) Open letter from Arthur Farwell, Director, Music School Settlement, handwritten date "January 17, 1916, Public School 64." January 17, 1916
   

Farwell invites those interested in community work to come to a community chorus.

  
2 3 43) Notice, First community chorus rehearsal at Public School 64. January 17, 1916
   

Following are handwritten songs for chorus: "Columbia!" and "The Star Spangled Banner."

 
2 3 44) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Hapgood, "Saloon as a Community Problem". January 21, 1916
2 3 45) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Stanton, "Camp Fire Girl movement". January 24, 1916
2 3 46) List of "members who came from the community to P.S. 104, week January 24-29, 1916." January 24-29, 1916
2 3 47) Typed report on "Wednesday evening's entertainment," P.S. 104. January 26, 1916
   

65 kids attended the event. Includes a note about a boy who was afraid to go home because "of the cruelty of his father" and what the center workers did in response.

 
2 3 48) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Chandler, Jersey State School at Jamesburg for Boys, "Juvenile Delinquency". January 31, 1916
2 3 49) Form, "Uniform school extension record (daily), for P.S. Amsterdam 300. February 1, 1916
   

Lists activities, attendance, work, and cost.

  
2 3 50) Typed notes on practicum. February 2, 1916
2 3 51) Bibliographies from books from the New York Public Library concerning social and community centers. February 2, 1916
    2 copies.  
2 3 52) Typed questions presented by Dr. Shiels. February 1916
2 3 53) Typed questions from Dr. Shiels "to be answered in about 600 words, February 15". February 1916
2 3 54) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Ford, "Alcoholism". February 9, 1916
2 3 55) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Bell, Bureau of Licenses in New York, "licensing and regulating of commercialized amusements". February 11, 1916
2 3 56) Typed notes on discussion lead by Mr. Mordiwell, "The Theatre". February 14, 1916
2 3 57) Typed notes on the community center at P.S. 104. February 16, 1916
2 3 58) Typed notes on lecture by John Collier, "Study of Sociology". February 18, 1916
2 3 59) Typed notes on program at community center P.S. 104. February 22, 1916
2 3 60) Typed notes on a visit to the Police Commissioner's office. February 28, 1916
2 3 61) Typed notes on lecture by Miss Robinson, "relation of the Immigrant to the government and the founding of the Immigration Service Bureau". February 28, 1916
2 3 62) Handout, "Program for March". March 1916
2 3 63) Typed notes on lecture by Mr. Krensi, "Vocational Guidance and Employment". March 1, 1916
2 3 64) Typed notes on discussion by Clarence A. Perry, "School Planning". March 3, 1916
2 3 65) Typed notes on lecture by Miss Archibald, "community center in Harlem, P.S. 89;" Mr. Petersen, Secretary to Police Commission Woods, "relationship of the Police to the community". March 8-15, 1916
    One page.  
2 3 66) Typed notes on lecture by Dr. Coleman, "Democracy in the Making". March 17, 1916
2 3 67) Typed note, "Mr. Kilpatrick spoke on John Dewey's Point of View". March 20, 1916
2 3 68) Typed notes on lecture by Colin Scott, "Group leadership". March 24, 1916
2 3 69) Typed notes on lecture by Dr. Bonser, "Industrial Education" and "Vocational Guidance". March 27 and March 29, 1916
2 3 70) Typed note, "Program for April 1916". April 1916
2 3 71) Typed note on entrance and membership cards for P.S. 104. April 1916
2 3 72) Typed note "Mr. Isaac Russell spoke on summer camps;" typed notes on lecture by John Collier, "Practicum on Community Centers". April 3 and April 5, 1916
    1 page.  
2 3 73) Typed notes on lecture by Isaac Russell, "Method of organizing a community in reference to outdoor recreation". April 7, 1916
2 3 74) Typed notes on lecture by Dr. Aronovici, "Courts and Institutions". April 10, 1916
2 3 75) Typed note "Summer Playgrounds was the subject presented by Miss Jeannette Ezekiels;" typed notes on lecture by Rowland Haynes, "Types of organizations". April 12 and April 14, 1916
    1 page.  
2 3 76) Record card, membership card for National Conference on Community Centers and Related Problems; Schedule card; news clipping from Christian Science Monitor, "School Opens for Community Work." April 19, 1916 and 1915
2 3 77) Typed note, "Program for April 26th, 28th, and May 1916." undated
2 3 78) Typed note on practicum on Conference; typed note on "Relief work by Miss Byington". April 26 and April 28, 1916
2 3 79) Typed notes on paper to prepare on "How the Community Center Ought to Be Organized Internally and Externally". April 1916
   

Attached are requirements for a model charter.

  
2 3 80) Typed note," Medical service in communities by Dr. Wile," with questions; typed notes on lecture by Mr. Collier, "Practicum on Organization of Community Centers". May 3 and May 5, 1916
2 3 81) Typed paper by ADM, "The Organization of Sing Sing Prison". March 22, 1916
2 3 82) Typed questions and answers for final test; includes questions about her opinion of the training course, her strengths and weaknesses. undated
   

She says her first weakness is "a too strongly developed optimism". Includes some of her ideas for community centers.

  
2 3 83) Letter from John Collier to alumni. May 25, 1916
   

Dr. Albert Shiels is back, he is trying to arrange a dinner for him. Attached are letters from John Collier dated June 1 and June 7, 1916.

  
2 3 84) Typed report, by ADM, to "Chairman of the Committee on Arrangement of the Alumnae of the New York Training School for Community Center Workers". July 27, 1916
2 3 85) Copy of letter from ADM to Mrs. J. Gilmore Drayton, Executive Secretary, New York Training School. January 9, 1917
   

The Board of Directors is debating whether to continue the school. Menken appeals to keep it open.

  
2 3 86) Letter from Harriet Silverman, President and Secretary (signature is not legible) to Menken. February 23, 1917
   

An appeal for a fund to open a library and finance a scholarship.

  
2 3 87) Letter from Anna H. Drayton to Menken. May 9, 1917
   

Drayton asks Menken to fill out a record for the Placement Department of the Training School.

  
2 3 88) Letter from John J. Johnson, Secretary, Alumni Association to Menken. May 12, 1917
   

He announces an annual meeting of the alumni association.

  
2 3 89) Copy of letter from ADM to Mrs. Drayton. May 16, 1917
   

She encloses a filled out card (see Item #86).

 
2 3 90) Typed notice, annual meeting of the Alumni Association to be held May 17, 1917. undated
2 3 91) Letter from Anna H. Drayton to ADM. June 4, 1917
   

Acknowledging receipt of her papers.

  
2 3 92) Letter from John Collier to ADM. September 24, 1917
   

He thanks her for her note dated September 17th. He hopes to have her lecture on a course on child welfare problems. Attached is a notice of the opening session of the Training School, signed by Mrs. J. Gilmore Drayton, Executive Secretary, October 12, 1915. The school will open October 18th.

 
2 3 93) Letter from Abigail A. Freeman, Supervisor of Training, to ADM. December 14, 1917
   

Freeman encloses a card for Menken to complete.

  
2 3 94) Draft of charter, annual meeting of Community Center. undated
2 3 95) Handwritten diagram of Community Center's relationship to boards. undated
2 3 96) List of Members of the Alumni Association, N.Y. Training School. undated
2 3 97) Notice, N.Y. Training School will give the following lectures in January and February. undated
2 3 98) Booklet, "A Call to Service from the Mayor's Committee on National Defense, Committee on Aliens". undated
   

Published by the N.Y. Training School.

 
2 3 99) Typed note, "Community Center Rally". undated
2 3 100) List of "regular students". undated
   

7 men including one rabbi, 22 women, single and married.

  
2 3 101) List of answers to 8 questions regarding the community center. undated
   

Essays she wrote while at the school: on "alleged antipathetic groups," on drawing immigrants into community centers, on making centers fraternal, on cooperation with public schools, and on the ideal community center.

 

Subseries B: Travel and Photographs,  1887, 1889, 1894, 1913, 1918, 1929, 1933.

English.
Box 2, Folders 4 and 5.
Arrangement:

Folders are arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:

Subseries B contains diaries, photographs, and postcards compiled by Menken during her travels. Menken went abroad in the summer of 1913, and traveled to various cities in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Paris, France. In 1929, she traveled over the transandine route to the Andes Mountains.

This subseries also includes photographs of Menken, dating from 1887-1918 and of her tombstone. One photograph, taken in 1918, shows Menken in her Motor Corps uniform.
Box Folder Title Date
2 4 Photographs of A.D. Menken and From a Trip [and postcards]. 1887, 1889, 1894, 1918, 1929, 1933
Box Folder Title Date
2 4 1) Photograph, ADM. 1887
2 4 2) Photograph, ADM. 1889
2 4 3) Photograph, ADM. 1894
2 4 4) Photograph, ADM, in uniform. 1918
2 4 5) Postcards, Andes Mountains. 1929
    4+ postcards.  
2 4 6) Pamphlet, "The Transandine Route". 1929
2 4 7) Photograph, the tombstone of Adah Isaacs Menken. 1933
2 5 Travel Diaries 1913
Box Folder Title Date
2 5 1) "My Trip Abroad" diary with compass on cover. August-September 1913
   

Small calendar inside 1st page. Pictures of "Funnels and House Flags of Principal Atlantic Lines". Sailed on Baltic to Liverpool, August 7, returned on Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm, September 27. First few pages are travel info printed in diary, time differences, etc. Itinerary: Liverpool, London, Oxford, Scotland, Ireland, Paris. Impressions from London - on clothes, manners, weather, expressions (language), shops, teeth. List of gifts at sailing, including telegrams. Addresses, including some Jews and Portuguese Synagogues. Map of the world glued into the back.

 
2 5 2) "My Trip Abroad" with pencil. August-September 1913.
   

In outside pocket: slips of paper with jokes and funny stories, cartoons, card with "God Bless you, Dear!" Envelope with white and purple heather from Scottish moors and shamrock from Killarney, September 1913. Glued into inside cover: poem, August 1913, for ADM from E.W. Snyder on having hay fever and having to take a voyage because of it. 2 cartoons on marriage and travel. Itinerary. More cartoons about travel. Picture of American Express office in London. Places visited in London, Oxford, etc.

 

Subseries C: Biographical,  1913-1914, 1916, 1921, 1924, 1926-1927, 1932-1933.

English.
Box 2, Folders 6-8; Box 3, Folders 1-2.
Arrangement:

Folders are arranged by subject.
Scope and Content:

This subseries contains material pertaining to Menken's genealogy, personal ephemera, and public activities.

Box 2, Folder 6 consists of the historical record of the Society of New York State Women, from 1913-1914. Menken served as the Society's historian. Folder 7 includes a letter and two pamphlets sent to Menken, President of the Shearith Israel Sisterhood, by the Community Clearing House. The clearinghouse offered its services as "neighborhood gateway" for the city's resources.

Box 2, Folder 8 contains souvenir programs that Menken kept from specific events. The folder includes a menu from a dinner for Frank Moss by Greenwich Villagers, an invitation to her parent's golden anniversary celebration, a program for a banquet in honor Captain Charles A. Lindbergh, and a program for a concert to benefit German Jewish Relief.

Box 3, Folder 1 consists of personal ephemera, books, and booklets that Menken collected. Among the items within the folder is a booklet from her parent's golden anniversary celebration, a certificate naming Menken as "Manager of the New York State Reformatory for Women" (see oversized folder in Box 7) and an illuminated book given to Menken by Shearith Israel Sisterhood upon her return from a European trip in 1926.

Box 3, Folder 2 contains correspondence and applications for Menken's seven year old granddaughter, Marilyn, to become a member of the Children of the American Revolution. The folder also includes an application Menken placed to become a member of the Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Box Folder Title Date
2 6 Society of New York State Women, Historical Record from March 1913 to May 1914 March 1913-May 1914
Box Folder Title Date
2 6 1) Society of New York State Women, Historical Record from March 1913 to May 1914. March 1913-May 1914
2 7 The Community Clearing House undated, 1917
Box Folder Title Date
2 7 1) Letter from Mildred Taylor, Executive Secretary, The Community Clearing House, to ADM. August 27, 1917
   

A clearing house is opening in the Central Gramercy District, and offers its services to the Sisterhood of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.

 
2 7 2) Pamphlet, "The Community Clearing House, A Neighborhood Gateway to All the City's Resources of Helpfulness, Central Gramercy District". undated
2 7 3) Pamphlet, "The Community Clearing House". undated
2 8 Programs 1913, 1916, 1927, 1933
Box Folder Title Date
2 8 1) Testimonial Dinner Menu to Frank Moss by Greenwich Villagers. July 16, 1913
2 8 2) Invitation to parents' 50th anniversary celebration. October 17, 1916
2 8 3) Banquet in honor of Captain Charles A. Lindbergh by Mayor of City of N.Y. June 14, 1927
2 8 4) Gala Concert for the benefit of German Jewish Relief. September 28, 1933
   

She's a Patron/Box Holder.

  
Box Folder Title Date
3 1 Calling cards of M. Peixotto, mother of Alice Davis Menken; Certificate of appointment as Manager of the N.Y. State Reformatory for Women; Prayer in English; Mother's Day Cards; Booklet from Shearith Israel; Miscellaneous buttons undated, 1916, 1921, 1924, 1926
Box Folder Title Date
3 1 1) Calling card of Miss Miriam Peixotto, her mother. undated
3 1 2) Button and ribbon: "Re-elect Your Congressman Ruth Pratt, 17th District". undated
3 1 3) Booklet: "Souvenir of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Michael Marks Davis and Miriam Peixotto Davis, October 17, 1916, N.Y.C." October 17, 1916
   

Includes poem by ADM, photos of Michael and Miriam on their wedding day, Ketubah and translation, poem by H. Pereira Mendes and D. de Sola Pool, prose by Daniel Peixotto Hays: "To Aunt Mirrie and Uncle Mike," prose and poetry from relatives.

 
3 1 4) Prayer given by Rev. Joseph Circos at the Sisterhood's 25th Anniversary. December 6, 1921
   

(Oversized, See Box 7)

 
3 1 5) Certificate naming ADM as "Manager of the New York State Reformatory for Women". February 11, 1924
   

(Oversized, See Box 7)

Signed by Alfred Smith, Governor of N.Y., with state seal.

  
3 1 6) Card: on outside, "Marilyn Marise Menken 1924-, Great Great Great Great-Granddaughter of the American Revolution." undated
   

On inside, photo of mother and child with "Greetings, Mother's Day," and prose poem, "Loveliness," by Harriet Menken.

  
3 1 7) Booklet for memorial service for Daniel Peixotto Hays, Temple Israel, N.Y. March 1924
   

She spoke, as did Adolph Ochs, Stephen Wise, Senator Seabury Mastick.

  
3 1 8) Illuminated book, from the Sisterhood of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of the City of New York. October 18, 1926
   

A welcome home to ADM (their president) after a trip to Europe which she had taken for her health, signed by the 1st VP and Secretary. Includes a gold Sisterhood seal/sticker.

 
3 2 Papers entering Granddaughter Marilyn M. Menken into the D.A.R. 1932
Box Folder Title Date
3 1 1) Letter from Irene G. McDougall to ADM. 1932
3 1 2) Application of ADM to be member of The Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century. undated
   

With a bit of her genealogy (she's descended from Benjamin Mendes Seixas, Moses Isaacks).

  
3 1 3) Application for her granddaughter, Marilyn Marise Menken, to join Children of the American Revolution. 1932
   

She's 7 years old.

  
Return to the Top of Page
 

Series III: Correspondence and Reviews regarding Menken's Writings, undated, 1916-1917, 1919, 1922-1927, 1933-1935.

English and French.
Box 3, Folders 3-9.
Arrangement:

Folders are arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:

This series consists of advertisements, correspondence, requests, and reviews of Menken's published work.

Box 3, Folder 3 contains correspondence between Menken and the editors of The Survey, regarding Menken's subscription and the printing of an abstract of the Cedar Knolls Study. Folder 3 also includes a concert program that was held at the Community Center of Public School 104 in 1916; a letter inviting Menken to speak for the Girls' Division of the Fosdick Commission on Training Camp Activities; and an open letter calling for American service from the Mayor's Committee on National Defense, Committee on Aliens.

Box 3, Folder 4 consists of a report, abstract, letter, and lecture outline regarding delinquent girls. A survey report Menken wrote for a Special Sub-Committee, Committee of Fourteen in 1919 is enclosed as well as an abstract of Menken's "Delinquent Girls on Parole" that appeared in The Survey in 1927, a letter from Patrick J. Shelly, Chief Probation Officer in the New York City courts, and a lecture outline Menken prepared as Vice-President of the Jewish Board of Guardians in 1933.

Box 3, Folder 5 contains Menken's 1922 booklet, "Hints for Meeting the Problem of Maladjusted Youth" and a collection of correspondence regarding the booklet. The correspondence is a mixture of praise and requests for her work.

Box 3, Folders 6 and 7 consist of advertisements, reviews, and letters regarding "Tales of One City," "Rehabilitation of the Morally Handicapped," and "Delinquent Girls on Parole." Probation officers and judges form the majority of her correspondents.

Box 3, Folders 8 and 9 contain advertisements, correspondence, and reviews of Menken's 1933 book On the Side of Mercy. Among the correspondents is Rev. H. Pereira Mendes, religious leader of Shearith Israel Congregation. An historical sketch of Mortimer M. Menken is located in Box 3, Folder 8.

Box Folder Title Date
3 3 Correspondence regarding The Survey; Miscellaneous letters and program undated, 1916-1917, 1925-1926
Box Folder Title Date
3 3 1) Program of Concert held at the Community Center of P.S. 104. February 9, 1916
   

Back of program has typed verses for Columbia!, The Star-Spangled Banner, and America. (See Box 2, Folder 3, Item #43)

 
3 3 2) Letter from Mary Chamberlain, The Survey, to ADM. September 25, 1917
   

She appeals to Menken for funding to keep The Survey running.

 
3 3 3) Letter from Mary Chamberlain, The Survey, to ADM. November 2, 1917
   

She thanks Menken for her subscription.

  
3 3 4) Postcard from The Survey, to ADM. November 5, 1917
   

Menken can continue advertising her work "In the Shadow of the Underworld," by enclosing payment.

  
3 3 5) Letter from Sallie Simpson, In Charge-Speakers' Bureau, National Service Commission of N.Y.C., to ADM. December 13, 1917
   

She invites Menken to become a volunteer speaker for the Girls' Division of the Fosdick Commission on Training Camp Activities.

  
3 3 6) Listing of work "Delinquent Girls on Parole" in The Survey. 1926, April 1927
3 3 7) Letter from Mary Ross, Associate Editor, The Survey, to ADM. May 4, 1926
   

She is not able to use Menken's paper until the Autumn; and asks if instead, she can put in a brief abstract. Following is a copy of the abstract, titled "Social Practice Note".

 
3 3 8) Letter from Mary Ross, Associate Editor, The Survey, to ADM. December 21, 1926
   

Her abstract of the Cedar Knolls Study should appear in the January Midmonthly issue.

  
3 3 9) Copy of letter from ADM to Mary Ross. December 23, 1926
   

She asks for some additions to the abstract.

  
3 3 10) Letter from Mary Ross, Associate Editor, The Survey, to ADM. December 29, 1926
   

She was unable to make the changes due to the slow holiday mail.

  
3 3 11) Clipping, The Survey, the abstract of "Delinquent Girls on Parole". January 1927
3 3 12) Clipping, The Survey, listing "Delinquent Girls on Parole". May 1927
3 3 13) Open letter from Mayor's Committee on National Defense, Committee on Aliens, "A Call to American Service". undated
   

A registration form for "Americanization Campaign," follows.

  
3 4 Survey of Reformatory and Correctional Institutions; "The Girl in the Courts". 1919, 1927, 1933
Box Folder Title Date
3 4 1) "Survey of Reformatory and Correctional Institutions and Agencies as Related to the Problem of Commercialized Vice". August 1919
   

By ADM for the Special Sub-Committee, Committee of Fourteen.

47 pages. 		 
3 4 2) The Survey, January 15, 1927. January 15, 1927
   

Includes abstract of "Delinquent Girls on Parole" on page 502. (See Box 3, Folder 3, Items 6-11)

 
3 4 3) Letter from Patrick J. Shelly, Chief Probation Officer, City of New York City Magistrates' Courts, to ADM. March 30, 1933
   

He is interested in her article that appeared in the Journal of Social Hygiene. He encloses a form for a study he is doing regarding supervision.

 
3 4 4) Typed outline of lecture, "The Girl in the Courts," by ADM, Vice-President, Jewish Board of Guardians. July 1933
    2 copies.  
3 5 Notebook: "Credentials re: 'Hints for Meeting the Problem of Maladjusted Youth' and Orders for Same" 1922-1926
Box Folder Title Date
3 5 1) Notebook: "Credentials re: 'Hints for Meeting the Problem of Maladjusted Youth' and Orders for Same". 1922-1926
3 6 Correspondence (Acknowledgements for receipt of books) 1924
Box Folder Title Date
3 6 1) Consists of letters responding to her articles "Tales of One City" and "Rehabilitation of the Morally Handicapped." 1924
   

The letters are written by city officers such as probation officers, judges (even one of the Supreme Court of N.Y.), and the District Attorney's office. There are also letters from rabbis, Federated Jewish Charities, U.S. Dept of Labor, Professors (including Jessica B. Peixotto, Professor of Social Economics, UC Berkeley), YWHA, D. de Sola Pool, and the Jewish Association for the Protection of Girls and Women.

 
3 6 2) "The Probation Bulletin". August 1924
   

Page 4 lists "Rehabilitation of the Morally Handicapped".

  
3 6 3) Advertisement, "Tales of One City". October 1924
   

From Probation News.

 
3 6 4) Review, by Frank F. Rosenblatt, editor, Jewish Quarterly Social Service, "Tales of One City". November 1924
3 7 Correspondence 1925-1927
Box Folder Title Date
3 7 1) Consists of letters requesting copies of and commenting on "Tale of One City," "Rehabilitation of the Morally Handicapped," and "Delinquent Girls on Parole." 1925-1927
   

Includes letters written by George W. Alger, attorney, who comments on the statistics; and Samuel D. Levy, Justice, Children's Court, City of New York, who comments on what parole for girls requires to be effective.

 
3 8 Correspondence regarding On the Side of Mercy undated, 1933-1934
Box Folder Title Date
3 8 1) Consists of letters thanking her and commenting on her book On The Side of Mercy. various dates, December 17, 1933
   

An interesting letter is written by Rev. H. Pereira Mendes, Spanish-Portuguese Congregation.

Mendes comments include: 1) "You have beautifully proclaimed true womanhood's message, 'Pity, but help.'" 2) "If the errants, the sinners whom your book depicts debased womanhood, as they did, you have glorified womanhood by showing to those errants and sinners, so oft 'more sinned against than sinning,' those attributes of womanhood, - Pity, Love, Mercy, the Spirit of Rescue, Help, Rescue, Uplift, which glorify true Womanhood as true Judaism paints it."

Mendes also writes about the Sisterhood at Shearith Israel and his work in trying to overcome religious apathy.

  
3 8 2) "The Bulletin of the Jewish Board of Guardians". October 1933
   

Page 2 includes a note concerning Menken's appointment by the State Board of Parole's Bureau of Social Service as an Official Visitor to a new prison for women in Bedford Hills.

 
3 8 3) "The Bulletin of the Jewish Board of Guardians". January 1934
   

Page 6 includes a book review.

3 copies. 		 
3 8 4) "Correction" published by the New York State Department of Correction. January 1934
   

Page 13 includes a book review.

  
3 8 5) The Town Crier. January 1934
   

Page 15 includes an historical sketch of Mortimer Morange Menken; Page 25 includes a book review.

  
3 8 6) Survey. January 1934
   

Page 26 includes a book review.

  
3 8 7) Better Times. March 12, 1934
   

Page 28 includes a book review.

  
3 8 8) The National Humane Review. April 1934
   

Page 20 includes a book review.

  
3 8 9) B'nai B'rith National Jewish Monthly. April 1934
   

Page 244 includes a book review.

  
3 9 Book Reviews On the Side of Mercy undated, 1933-1935
Box Folder Title Date
3 9 1) Clipping from "The Bulletin," National Council of Jewish Women. October 1933
   

Book review.

3 copies. 		 
3 9 2) News clipping, New York Times. October 29, 1933
   

Book review.

  
3 9 3) Letter from Louis Resnick, The Welfare Council of New York City, to ADM. November 8, 1933
   

He apologizes but was unable to include a book review in Better Times. He will include it in the next issue. (See Item #13)

 
3 9 4) "The Bulletin," National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section. November 1933
   

Last page includes a book review. Attached is correspondence between Menken and NCJW concerning the review.

  
3 9 5) Clipping from Better Times. November 1933
   

Brief announcement of book (see Item #2).

 
3 9 6) Program, Shearith Israel League. December 1933
   

The Sisterhood congratulates Menken on her book publication.

  
3 9 7) Clipping, "League for Political Education". undated
   

Book review.

2 copies. 		 
3 9 8) Clipping, Survey. January 1934
   

Book review.

  
3 9 9) Clipping, "Probation Bulletin". February 1934
   

Book review.

  
3 9 10) "Probation". February 1934
   

Page 24 includes a book review.

2 copies. 		 
3 9 11) Copy of Clipping, World Telegram. March 3, 1934
   

Book review.

2 copies. 		 
3 9 12) Copy of clipping, B'nai B'rith Messenger. March 9, 1934
   

Book review.

  
3 9 13) Better Times. March 12, 1934
   

Page 28 includes a book review.

  
3 9 14) Clipping, American Hebrew. April 1934
   

Book review.

  
3 9 15) Clipping, "Israel's Messenger". June 1, 1934
   

Book review.

  
3 9 16) The Jewish Tribune. January 1935
   

Page 13 includes a book review.

  
3 9 17) Copy of clippings, unknown publication. undated
   

Book review.

  
Return to the Top of Page
 

Series IV: Scrapbooks, 1883-1936.

English and Yiddish.
Boxes 4-7.
Arrangement:

Scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:

Series IV consists of four scrapbooks that Menken compiled, beginning as a young girl attending the Gardner's School, up until her death in 1936. The scrapbooks contain many of Menken's published articles as well as her addresses, manuscript drafts, essays, and statements. In addition, each scrapbook includes miscellaneous items, such as personal ephemera, correspondence, invitations, news clippings, programs, and reports pertaining to Menken's public and personal life. A few items regarding her husband are also available.

Box   Title Date
4   Scrapbook 1883-1919
   

Includes the following published articles written by ADM:

  • "Amor Vincit Omnia," Jewish Women, January 4, 1893.
  • "In Memoriam," for Louise Nathan, unknown publication, March 1894.
  • "Annual Meeting of Shearith Israel Sisterhood," American Hebrew, November 27, 1914.
  • "In Memoriam," for Sarah N. Cardoza, American Hebrew, April 1900.
  • "In Memoriam," for Sarah Rosalie Hays, American Hebrew, September 1900.
  • "In Memoriam," for Jessica Davis, American Hebrew, November 1902.
  • "A Plea for the Seventh Day Sabbath," American Hebrew, January 1907.
  • "In Memoriam," for Sarah Nathan, American Hebrew, 1909.
  • "At Issue with Cornell," letter to the Editor, American Hebrew, 1910.
  • "Jewish Boy Peddlers," American Hebrew, June 9, 1913.
  • "Let the Good Work Go On," American Hebrew, December 17, 1913.
  • "Mrs. Menken Emphasizes Spirit of Relationship," American Hebrew, 1916.
  • "Report of the Probation Committee for the Sisterhood of the Spanish Portuguese Synagogue," Jewish Charities, January 1917.
  • "In Memoriam," for Benjamin Nathan, unknown publication, March 1914.
  • "Settlements and Talmud Torahs," American Hebrew, August 14, 1914.
  • "Delinquent Jewish Girls," American Hebrew, October 30, 1914.
  • "In Memoriam," for Gratz Nathan, unknown publication, April 27, 1915.
  • "In Memoriam," for Rebecca A. Shoyer, unknown publication, January 11, 1916.
  • "In the Shadow of the Underworld," New York, 1916.
  • "Can We Help Our Unfortunate Sister, And How?" 1916.
  • Report of Chairman on Correction and Penal Institutions, July 1916-May 1917.
  • "Says First Duty at Home; Mrs. Menken Protests Against Sending Unit Abroad to Study Condition of Jewish Women," letter to the Editor, American Hebrew, November 30, 1917.
  • "Welfare Work Among the Sefardic Jews," Federation News, June 16, 1919.
  • "Women Fill Juvenile Delinquency," American Hebrew, December 5, 1919.

Includes the following addresses, essays, drafts, and statements by ADM:

  • Early writings, "An Autumn Day Dream," 1886.
  • Graduation speech, 1887.
  • School paper in art history, 1893.
  • Clippings, invitation, and ketubah from wedding, October 17 and 18, 1893.
  • "The Ocean's Choice," January 1894.
  • "Life's Gift," 1897.
  • "Skylock," April 12, 1897.
  • Presentation address to Rev. Dr. H. Pereira Mendes on his twenty-fifth anniversary of his ministry in the Congregation Shearith Israel. The sisterhood presented him with a silver pitcher, November 30, 1902.
  • Address delivered at YMHA, December 27, 1907.
  • "In the Land of Acadia," describing her Nova Scotia trip, September 1908.
  • Review, "The Bride of the Mistletoe, by James Lane Allen," 1909.
  • "A Plea for Personal Services in the Development of Philanthropic Work," 1909.
  • Address delivered at YMHA, May 1910.
  • "Birthday Poem," for A. Montgomery Jr., September 12, 1910.
  • Report of the 21st Continental Congress of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C. Menken served as an alternate for the Knickerbocker Chapter located in New York City, April 1912.
  • "Report of the President," Society for Political Study, 1911-1913.
  • Report of the Historian, Society for Political Study, 1913-1915.
  • "Two Roses," August 1914.
  • "My Sabbath Shall ye Keep, and my Sanctuary Shall ye Reverence," April 1915.
  • Address delivered to New York City Conference of Charities and Correction, May 1915.
  • [Night Court], manuscript written as President of the Sisterhood at Congregation Shearith Israel, 1915.
  • "Poem written on occasion of Harold Menken's twenty-first birthday anniversary, by Mother," January 9, 1916.
  • Address delivered to the Magdalen Home, March 1916.
  • "The Organization of Sing Sing Prison," March 22, 1916.
  • Address "Spoken at the New York City Conference of Charities and Correction May 1916".
  • "The Program of Socialized Recreation in a Community," (organized a playground on Essex and Ludlow Streets), July 1916.
  • Outline of lectures delivered for the Summer School of the Jewish Chautaugua Society, July 1916.
  • "Should a Girl Marry in War Time?" September 1916.
  • "Dedicated to Father and Mother on their 50th Wedding Anniversary," October 17, 1916.
  • Report of the Knickerbocker Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, she served as a delegate to the 26th Continental Congress of the DAR National Society, April 1917.
  • "Night Court Legislation," May 1917.
  • Report as a delegate for the New York Section, Council of Jewish Women of the 8th Triennial Convention of the Council of Jewish Women in Chicago, November 10, 1917.
  • Address delivered to Rev. Dr. H. Pereira Mendes on his fortieth anniversary of his ministry in the Congregation Shearith Israel, December 9, 1917 (she was President of the Sisterhood in 1918).
  • "The Passing of the Night Session of the Court for Women, New York City," 1918 (served as Chairman of the Night Court Committee).
  • "Report of the Chairman of Parliamentary Law of the Society for Political Study," March 1917-1918.
  • Report of Chairman the Committee on Correctional and Penal Institutions, for the New York Section, Council of Jewish Women, May 1917-1918.
  • "The Passing of the Women's Night Court New York City," circa 1918.
  • Report of the Chairman of the Parole Committee for Cedar Knolls School, Hawthorne, N.Y., 1918.
  • Report of the Chairman of the Social Welfare Committee for the Mayor's Committee on Women in National Defense, March 23, 1918.
  • Report of an Investigation for the Sub-Committee on Underfeeding of Children, for the Mayor's Committee on Women in National Defense, April 8, 1918.
  • Poem to Cora Welles Trow, May 1919.
  • "The Dove of Peace," June 1919.
  • "Extract From Survey of Reformatory and Correctional Institutions and Agencies As Related to the Problem of Commercialized Vice," for the sub-committee of the Committee of Fourteen, August 1919.
  • Address, delivered at the Annual Convention of the New York State Probation Commission in Syracuse, N.Y., November 1919.
  • Untitled, regarding commercialized vice, November 1919.

Includes the following miscellaneous items:

  • Commencement program for Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Gardner's School, June 9, 1887.
  • Ribbons, New York City Federation of Women's Club convention.
  • Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense, 1918.
  • Annual report, Society for Political Study, 1906-1907.
  • Invitation and program for the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Rev. Dr. H. Pereira Mendes twenty-fifth ministry in Congregation Shearith Israel, November 1902.
  • Certificate of incorporation for the Society of Political Study, March 11, 1909.
  • Application for membership, correspondence, and membership cards from the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1909-1918.
  • Letters of congratulation and news clippings, upon Menken's being elected President of the Society for Political Study, March 1911.
  • Appointed on a committee to address Jewish girls in court by the Jewish Protectory and Aid society, November 1911.
  • Program for the National Convention of Congressional Union for Women Suffrage and National Women's Party, March 1-4, 1917.
  • Program, correspondence, invitation, postcard and news clipping, one of two female guests at the Poor Richards Club, January 1915.
  • Letter from Stephen S. Wise, who regrets not being present at Menken's address held at the Free Synagogue, November 27, 1916.
  • Correspondence regarding her resignation as President of the Sisterhood of Congregation Shearith Israel, September and October 1917.
  • A letter of introduction written by Katharine Bement Davis, Chairman of the Parole Commission of the City of New York to Jane Addams, Hull House, Chicago, November 1, 1917.
  • Appointment as a member of the Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense, January 31, 1918.
  • Letters resigning from the Council of Jewish Women and other organizations in order to focus her time on the Motor Corps, October 1918.
  • Chauffeur's license with medallions for the Motor Corps, June 1918.

  
Box   Title Date
5   Scrapbook 1920-1927
   

Includes the following published articles written by ADM:

  • "Are the Movies Guilty?" The Survey, April 10, 1920.
  • "Welfare Work in the Field of Deliquency," American Hebrew, November 12, 1920.
  • "American Prison Congress," The Survey, February 1921.
  • "A Social Aspect of the Unmarried Mother," reprint from Journal of Deliquency, Vol. 7, No. 2, March 1922.
  • "Salient Facts about the New York State Reformatory for Women, Bedford Hill, N.Y.," July 1922, 1926.
  • "Hints to Guide the Big Brother in the Care of his Little Brother! The Ounce, November 1922.
  • "The Girl," Jewish Tribune, October 1923.
  • "Practical Politics and the Social-Minded Woman," R.O.C. Bulletin (Republican Organization Club), January 1925.
  • "Probation Work Among Jewish Woman," The Jewish Woman, October 1925.
  • "Our Clubs and What We Think of Them, a Message from the President of the Sisterhood," Chronicle (published by Shearith Israel Sisterhood), April 1926.
  • "Woman and the Crime Wave," R.O.C. Bulletin, April 1926.
  • "Delinquent Girls on Parole," reprint from Jewish Social Service Quarterly, September 1926. (2 copies)

Includes the following addresses, essays, drafts, and statements by ADM:

  • Report for the American Prison Semi-Centennial Congress, to New York State Governor Alfred E. Smith, October 1920.
  • "Welfare Work in the Field of Delinquency," October 1920.
  • "Some Facts About the Woman's Court, New York City," December 1920.
  • "Nathan Hirsch: An Appreciation of his Philanthropic Services," January 18, 1921 (address delivered at Hirsch's testimonial dinner).
  • "Address Delivered at 25th Anniversary of the Sisterhood of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue," (ADM is President), December 6, 1921.
  • "Address Delivered on the Occasion of a Memorial Service to Daniel Peixotto Hays at Temple Israel," March 30, 1924.
  • "Memorandum regarding New Probation System in New York City," March 1925.
  • "After Care of the Delinquent," address delivered at the New York City Conference of Charities and Correction, May and June 1925.
  • "The Public School and Religious Education," to the editor of The Jewish Tribune, August 1925.
  • "Probation and Social Agencies," address delivered at the New York State Conference of Probation Officers, December 8, 1925.
  • "Probation Work Among Jewish Women," circa February 1926.
  • "Address Delivered on the Occasion of the Dedication of the Community Center and Synagogue of the Sephardic Jewish Community of New York City," May 1, 1927.
  • "Biographical Sketch of Alice Davis Menken," December 1927 (For Jewish Biographical Bureau and its publication of Who's Who in American Jewry, 1928).

Includes the following miscellaneous items:

  • Material pertaining to her involvement with (among others):
    • New York State Reformatory, Bedford Hills, N.Y.
    • Republican Women's [N.Y.] State Executive Committee.
    • Parole Officers Association.
    • American Prison Congress.
    • Society for Political Study.
    • Jewish Board of Guardians.
    • American Arbitration Association.
  • Biographical clippings on ADM.
  • Interview with ADM in Yiddish Press, November 14, 1920.
  • Annual Report written by her husband Mortimer M. Menken, as President for Congregation Shearith Israel, November 12, 1923.
  • "Probation and Parole Work Discussed by Mrs. Menken," Jewish Tribune, May 15, 1925.
  • Correspondence regarding Menken's resignation as President of the Shearith Israel Sisterhood, May-November 1926.

  
Box   Title Date
6   Scrapbook 1928-1933
   

Includes the following published articles written by ADM:

  • "The Relationship of the Probation Officer to the Community." Probation. September 1929.
  • "New Safeguards for the Jewish Girl." Day, July 20, 1930.
  • "Religious Education for the Jewish Youth." Jewish Forum, February 1931. Also includes manuscript, October 1930.
  • "Newer Trends." Municipal Government, March 1932.
  • "As a Woman Sees It." June 1932.
  • "A Woman's Reformatory in the Making Minimum Standards." Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, Vol. 23, No. 5, January-February 1933. Coauthored with Janie M. Coggeshall.
  • "Law Enforcement in Relation to the Treatment of Sex Offenders in New York City." Journal of Social Hygiene, reprint from Vol. 19, No. 3, March 1933.

Includes the following addresses, essays, drafts, and statements by ADM:

  • "Address delivered at the Testimonial Dinner to Katharine Davis," February 2, 1928.
  • "Communal Service Meets Communal Needs in Hawaii," September 1928.
  • Radio address describing the career of Albert Ottinger, Republican nominee for New York State Governor, October 26, 1928.
  • "Justice and Mercy: A Social View-point of Parole," January 1929.
  • "The Inter-Relationship of the Probation Officer and the Community," March 1929.
  • "The Old Order Changeth." May 1929. Regarding the State of California's new licensing for Social Workers.
  • "Let My People Go!" December 1929.
  • "The Services of the Florence Crittenton League to the Girl and to the Community." February 24, 1930. (Radio address)
  • "Changing the Old Order." June 1930.
  • "A Successful Experiment in Probation," December 1930.
  • "Humanities in the Women's Court of New York," circa February 1931.
  • Radio Address, appeal for American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, May 30, 1931.
  • Radio address, Federation of Jewish Philanthropies Campaign Appeal. December 24, 1931.
  • Address at the 30th Anniversary of Miss Alice C. Smith's Service in New York City as Probation Officer, May 24, 1932.
  • "The Salvage of Souls Salient Facts about Westfield State Farm [New York State Reformatory]," circa October 1932.

Includes the following miscellaneous items:

  • 1928 Annual Report of the Shearith Israel Sisterhood. Additional material related to Congregation Shearith Israel is distributed throughout the scrapbook.
  • "A Pioneer of Social Service," by Maria Sermolino on ADM for The Jewish Tribune, October 25, 1928.
  • Clippings, correspondence, and a photograph of the Ottinger campaign for Governor, 1928.
  • December 14, 1928: ADM to Rene Arbib (Corresponding Secretary of the SI Sisterhood): her term as president ends in January 1929 and she won't accept re-nomination.
    • - "I believe that the interests of the Sisterhood require a change of personnel in his office".
  • Correspondence relating to New York State Reformatory for Women, Bedford Hills, 1928-1931.
  • Yiddish article on ADM from The Jewish American, July 1929. English translation.
  • December 1929: she's not a Zionist; she thinks money should go to increase "colonization in Russia and to promote enterprises in America".
  • Re-election campaign for Ruth Pratt, Congresswoman, 1930, 1932.
  • Letter from Lt. Governor Herbert H. Lehman to ADM: regarding her resignation as a member of the Board of Visitors of N.Y. State Reformatory for Women, May 8, 1931.
  • "Women Who Aid in $1,000,000 Drive," The American Hebrew, May 1931.
  • Correspondence and clippings related to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee campaign, May-June 1931.
  • "Why Crimes Among Jews Decrease," by Col. Ernest K. Coulter, The Jewish Sentinel, circa 1931. ADM is mentioned in article.
  • Ticket for the Republican National Convention, 1932.
  • Clippings and program in honor of Mrs. Frederick Nathan, October 1932.
  • Correspondence leading up to ADM's admission into the National Society Colonial Dames, 1932.
  • Folder of loose scrapbook material, names of ancestors, undated, 1916.

  
Box   Title Date
7   Scrapbook and Oversized Material Separated from Box 3, Folder 1 1933-1936
   

Includes the following published articles written by ADM:

  • "Child Guidance in Home and School," School, Vol. 44, No. 48, July 27, 1933.
  • "Fifty Years Work with Girls," [Book Review], unknown publication, June 1934.
  • "Parole as a Means to Progress in Social Justice," reprint from Better Times, January 6, 1936. (2 copies)

Includes the following addresses, essays, drafts, and statements by ADM:

  • Radio address on education, July 1933.
  • "Juvenile and Adult Courts and Distribution therefrom," synopsis of lecture given at New York State Training School, Hudson, N.Y., August 9, 1933.
  • "A Testimonial to Clifford Beers," December 1933.
  • "Report of the Committee to Promote Synagogue Attendance," May 7, 1934.
  • "Relationship of Facial Disfigurements to Prostitution," 1934.
  • "Relationship of the Physically Deformed to Mental Health and Behavior Problems," July 1934. (2 copies)
  • The Oher [sic] Side of the Picture," July 23, 1934.
  • "Causes and Circumstances Surrounding the Girls Which Bring Them to Court," outline of lecture given at Hudson State School, July 1934. (One draft, 2 copies)
  • "The Domestic Relations Court of the City of New York," September 12, 1934.
  • Editorial response in The New York Times, "The Women's Court," December 24, 1934.
  • "Social Service Problems Among Venereal Disease Cases in Institutions For Sex Delinquents," January 1935.
  • Monthly and Yearly reports to the State Board of Parole, as Official Visitor to Prison for Women, Bedford Hills, NY, July 1933-June 1935; (for the following see December 28, 1935): July-December 1933; January-December 1934; January-April 1935.
  • "Minority Opinion on the subject of the removal of Prostitution from the Code of Criminal Procedure," submitted by ADM and Alice H. Borland to Women's City Club, April 1935.

Includes the following miscellaneous items:

  • Appointment as Official Visitor to the new prison for women in Bedford Hills, N.Y., July-October 1933.
  • "A New Deal for Delinquent Girls," by Alice Alden, Anderson Daily Bulletin, November 17, 1933.
  • "Why Their Names are Perpetuated in the Town Hall; Historical Sketch of Mortimer Morange Menken," by Donovan G. Rowse, January 1934.
  • "Jews Played Prominent Part in American Colonial History," Herald Tribune, February 3, 1935. (ADM is mentioned)
  • Correspondence received during ADM's hospitalization, May-August 1936.

Oversized Folder of Separated Material

Separated from Box 2, Folder 7:

Prayer given by Rev. Joseph Circos at the Congregation Shearith Israel's Sisterhood's 25th Anniversary, December 6, 1921. Certificate of appointment as Manager of the N.Y. State Reformatory for Women, February 11, 1924.

 
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