Guide to the Bellefaire Records and Photographs, Series IV


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Gift of Bellefaire JCB
Title: Bellefaire Records and Photographs, Series IV
Dates: 1903-2005
Extent: 5.2 linear feet (6 boxes)
Abstract: Bellefaire JCB, a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed adolescents, is the oldest Jewish social service agency in Cleveland, Ohio. It was dedicated on July 14, 1868 as the Jewish Orphan Asylum, established to care for Civil War orphans. By 1900, more than 400 orphans lived there. The name was changed to the Jewish Orphan Home (JOH) in 1919, and later to Bellefaire when its facilities moved to the corner of Belvoir and Fairmount boulevards in 1929. In 1941 the Orthodox Jewish Children's home merged with the Welfare Association for Jewish Children and thus became the Jewish Children's Bureau, which then formed a functional merger with Bellefaire to become Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau (from which the current name Bellefaire JCB is derived). In 1942 the orphanage changed its focus to include residential therapeutic care for emotionally disturbed children and stopped accepting orphans in 1943. In 1954, Bellefaire opened its admissions to children of all faiths and today (2019) provides counseling, substance abuse treatment, foster care, adoption services, and residential treatment. The Jewish Orphan Home Alumni Association was established in 1888 to serve and connect the orphans who formerly lived at the Jewish Orphan Home. The Association held Homecomings each year in Cleveland and had several active chapters located throughout the country. "Graduates" of JOH were designated by the year of their confirmation class. The Bellefaire Records and Photographs Series IV collection consists of alumni bulletins, annual reports, artwork, books, booklets, brochures, a cassette tape, correspondence, directories, handbooks, lists, minutes, negatives, newsletters, newspaper articles, outlines, pamphlets, photographs, programs, a reel, a scrapbook, slides, songbooks, a souvenir book, a timeline, and VHS tapes.
MS Number MS 5466
Language: The records are in English

History of Bellefaire

Bellefaire, a nationally known institution dedicated to the care and treatment of the emotionally troubled child was originally organized in Cleveland, Ohio in 1868 as an orphanage to meet the specific needs of the Midwestern Jewish community. Incorporated as the Jewish Orphan Asylum, the home was the result of the charitable efforts of the B'nai B'rith, Grand Lodge District 2. Several years earlier the Lodge, at its annual meeting held in Cleveland, Ohio, had made the decision to tax all members in the district one dollar per year "in order to create a fund which some time in the near future might be used for the organization of a charitable institute." The American Civil War and the problem of orphaned children which it created encouraged the B'nai B'rith to use their funds toward the establishment of an orphan home.

For 61 years, the Home was located on Woodland Avenue in Cleveland on grounds purchased by B'nai B'rith. By 1929, the Woodland Avenue site was no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of the home, and new grounds were purchased at Fairmount and Belvoir Boulevards in University Heights. The new home, officially incorporated as Bellefaire in 1942, is still in use today.

For the first 74 years of its existence, the emphasis at Bellefaire was to educate and care for orphans as well as the neglected child. In 1940, with the election of Fred Lazarus, Jr. as the president of the Board of Trustees, Bellefaire broadened its objectives and began to change from a dependency institution to one which served children who could not be helped in foster homes, and who required a therapeutic experience in a residential setting. To further these objectives, Bellefaire began in 1941 to encourage families from outside the Cleveland area to send their children for treatment. The trustees of Bellfaire also elected to work with the Welfare Association for Jewish Children to coordinate their efforts through the Jewish Children's Bureau to insure that comprehensive attention be given to each child.

Over the years, numerous persons contributed to the successful operation of the Orphan Home and Bellefaire. Among these was Dr. Samuel Wolfenstein, who during his tenure as superintendent of the home actively sought to broaden both its educational and physical facilities.

Although Bellefaire is no longer an orphanage, many of the Home's traditions are recalled and discussed by the Orphan Home Alumni Association whose annual reunion allows past residents to see old friends and to reminisce about their years at the home.


Scope and Content

The Bellefaire Records and Photographs Series IV collection consists of alumni bulletins, annual reports, artwork, books, booklets, brochures, a cassette tape, correspondence, directories, handbooks, lists, minutes, negatives, newsletters, newspaper articles, outlines, pamphlets, photographs, programs, a reel, a scrapbook, slides, songbooks, a souvenir book, a timeline, and VHS tapes. The audiovisual portion of the collection consists of 1 cassette tape, 1 reel, 14 VHS tapes, approximately 864 photographs, approximately 195 negatives, and approximately 3428 slides.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of Cleveland, Ohio, and its Jewish community in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The records thoroughly document the evolution of this institution from an orphanage to one of the most eminent child treatment centers in the nation. This collection is of value to researchers studying the history of children and child welfare, social work, early twentieth century orphanages, the evolution of orphanages, and the life of orphans, specifically in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Those interested in the history of Jewish social service agencies will find this collection useful.


Statement of Arrangement

The Bellefaire Records and Photographs Series IV collection is arranged in five series: Series I: Administrative Files is arranged alphabetically by document type. Series II: Photographs is arranged alphabetically by subject and then alphabetically by subject. Series III: Negatives is arranged alphabetically by subject. Series IV: Slides is arranged alphabetically by subject. Series V: Cassettes, Reels, and VHS tapes is arranged alphabetically by document type, then by subject.

Restrictions on Use

None

Restrictions on Access

None

Related Material

The researcher should also consult MS 3665 Bellefaire Records, MS 4703 Bellefaire Records Series II, MS 5100 Bellefaire Records Series III, PG 154 Bellefaire Photographs, and PG 571 Bellefaire Photographs Series II.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Child psychotherapy -- Residential treatment -- Ohio -- Cleveland
Children with disabilities -- Care -- Ohio -- Cleveland
Jewish orphanages -- Ohio -- Cleveland
Jews -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Charities
Mentally ill children -- Care -- Ohio -- Cleveland

Organizations/Corporations:

Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau (Shaker Heights, Ohio)
Bellefaire Jewish Children's Home (Shaker Heights, Ohio)

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___] MS 5466 Bellefaire Records and Photographs, Series IV, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of Bellefaire, JCB, 2019.

Processing Information

Processed by Marvin Gisser and Jeffrey Zuckerman

Detailed Description of The Collection

Series I: Administrative Files 1903-2005 and undated

Box Folder
1 1 Alumni Bulletins 1933-1949
1 2 Alumni Bulletins July, 1950 through December, 1969
1 3 Alumni Bulletins 1970-1979
1 4 Alumni Bulletins 1980-1989
1 5 Alumni Bulletins 1990-1999
1 6 Alumni Bulletins 2000-2005
1 7 Annual Reports, Bellefaire 2002, 2004
1 8 Annual Reports, Jewish Orphan Asylum 1893-1915
1 9 Artwork, Bellefaire undated
1 10 Book, Jewish Orphan Home 50th Anniversary July, 1938
1 11 Book, Official Basketball Score Book 1936-1937
1 12 Booklet, correspondence, invitations: Fashion Shows 1996-1998
1 13 Booklet, "Fiftieth Anniversary of the Jewish Orphan Asylum" 1868-1918
1 14 Booklets, Jewish Orphan Home photographs undated
1 15 Booklet, Jewish Orphan Home Alumni Association donations 1996-1997
1 16 Booklets, Jewish Orphan Home Alumni reunions 1976-2003
1 17 Booklet, "Memories J.O.H.: 1927-1937" by Mike Frank July, 1985
1 18 Booklet, Seder Haggadah for the eve of Passover 1957
1 19 Booklet, Sport Book: Sport Edition of The Oracle April, 1929
1 20 Booklet, "The Annual: Class of Twenty-Nine" 1929
1 21 Booklets, The Jewish Orphan Asylum Magazine 1903-1919
1 22 Booklets, The Jewish Orphan Home Magazine 1923-1932 and undated
1 23 Brochures, Bellefaire services undated
1 24 Brochure, "Investing in Futures" undated
1 25 Brochures, The Children's Chance October 27, 1991 and undated
1 26 Correspondence, 125th Annual Meeting June 1, 1993
1 27 Correspondence, 126th Annual Meeting June 7, 1994
1 28 Correspondence, 127th Annual Meeting June 6, 1995
1 29 Correspondence, 128th Annual Meeting June 4, 1996
1 30 Correspondence, 129th Annual Meeting June 3, 1997
1 31 Correspondence, 130th Annual Meeting June 9, 1998
1 32 Correspondence, 131st Annual Meeting June 1, 1999
1 33 Correspondence, 132nd Annual Meeting June 6, 2000
1 34 Correspondence, 133rd Annual Meeting June 12, 2001
1 35 Correspondence, Art Auction 1989-1990
1 36 Correspondence, Bellefaire 125th Anniversary 1993
1 37 Correspondence, "Breaking the Cycle: Adolescent Sexual Offense" 1988-1991, 1997 and undated
1 38 Correspondence, Council for Jews with Special Needs 1997
1 39 Correspondence, Friends Campaign 1994
1 40 Correspondence, Fritz Mayer Symposium 1996
1 41 Correspondence, Fundraising 1992 and undated
1 42 Correspondence, "Glitter, Gifts & More" 1995
1 43 Correspondence, program, script for "Heroes: Be One!" 1994
Box Folder
2 1 Correspondence, Ohio Arts Council 1990 and undated
2 2 Correspondence and newspaper article, The Free Times 1995
2 3 Directories, Jewish Orphan Home Alumni Association 1977-1990
2 4 Handbooks, new members of Bellefaire 1990 and undated
2 5 Lists, Board of Trustees 1998-2001
2 6 Minutes, National Board Meeting July 5, 1997
2 7 Newsletter, "Gold & Blue" December, 1954
2 8 Newspaper articles, Bellefaire 1955-1998 and undated
2 9 Outlines, history of Bellefaire 1993 and undated
2 10 Pamphlet, Bellefaire Conference Proceedings March 15, 1942
2 11 Pamphlets, Bellefaire special events 1941, 2003
2 12 Pamphlet, Health Facilities Review 1992-1993
2 13 Program, Biathlon 1996
2 14 Scrapbook: flyers, invitations, newsletters, programs (original material moved to container 6) 1993-1997 and undated
2 15 Songbooks, Jewish Orphan Home 1938 and undated
2 16 Souvenir Book, Jewish Orphan Home Alumni 100th Reunion July 1, 1988 through July 4, 1988
2 17 Timeline, Cleveland Jewish facilities 1990s

Series II: Photographs 1929-2004 and undated

Box Folder
2 18 Abrams, Sid undated
2 19 Annual Meeting 1991
2 20 Annual Meeting 1997
2 21 Annual Picnic, Chagrin Reservation July 13, 1995
2 22 Architectural planning undated
2 23 Art Contest May, 1995
2 24 Artwork undated
2 25 Bellefaire basketball team undated
2 26 Bellefaire Boy Scouts, 25th Anniversary undated
2 27 Benefit, GIA January 15, 1994
2 28 Biathlon 1996-1997 and undated
2 29 Blueprint for chapel undated
2 30 Bond Drive Participation ca. 1943
2 31 Braverman, Lillian undated
2 32 Campaign Closing October 10, 1987
2 33 Campus 1929, 1949 and undated
2 34 Chapel 1949 and undated
2 35 Chessin, Dan undated
2 36 Children, unidentified 1993, 1997, 2004 and undated
2 37 Cole, Min undated
2 38 Confirmation Class undated
2 39 Construction undated
2 40 Corporate donor events 1988-1989
2 41 Cottage, Don Neuberger and Harry Reiter 1933
2 42 Cottage, general undated
2 43 Crutch, Marge undated
2 44 Curry, Victor, Stacey, Chris and other unidentified individuals undated
2 45 Dalrymple, Misty undated
2 46 Dedication, Baseball Field undated
2 47 Dinner and speakers, unidentified event June 10, 1997
2 48 Dorsey, Darnel, Kowlowski, Joel and other unidentified individuals undated
2 49 Dramatics undated
2 50 Ecklow, Frances (nee Schwartz) undated
2 51 Event with Irving Hand undated
2 52 Facilities undated
2 53 Fant, Ray undated
2 54 Gabel, Barry undated
2 55 Garver, Edith undated
2 56 Girick, Jack undated
2 57 Gittleson, Paul with unidentified individuals undated
2 58 Graduation (original material moved to container 6) undated
2 59 Greenfield, Steve undated
2 60 Grossner, Laurence undated
2 61 Group, (from left to right) Lillian Braverman, Bill Joseph, Ellie Wintner undated
2 62 Group, Lillian Braverman, William Braverman, and unidentified individual undated
2 63 Group, Ray Fant with Anne Cooper, Pete Weiner, and unidentified woman undated
2 64 Group, Eric Fingerhut and Vic Gelb with two unidentified individuals undated
2 65 Group, Jewish Children's Foster Home Board President Dr. Gary Myers and Bahia, a Bellefaire client 1987
2 66 Group, new board members (from left to right): Mike Mendelson, Ron Fisher, Vivian Solganek, Gerry Erenberg, Susan Hyatt, Corey Roth undated
2 67 Group, (from left to right): Ed Roth, Sam Kelman, Dave Warren undated
2 68 Group, from left to right, Heidi Solomon, Len Ente, John Aub undated
2 69 Group, unidentified people 1992, 1996 and undated
2 70 Halloween Party October, 1992
2 71 Herman, Joel undated
2 72 Hill, Bruce and Valena (no last name) undated
2 73 Hirsh, Mindy undated
2 74 Homecoming (original material moved to container 6) ca. 1961
2 75 Individual portraits undated
2 76 Jewish Big Brother Association, presentation of awards to Meyer Wolpaw and Oscar Steiner May 7, 1960
2 77 Jewish Big Brother Association and Jewish Big Sister Committee, unidentified speakers undated
2 78 Jewish Day Nursery undated
2 79 Jewish Orphan Home undated
2 80 Jewish Orphan Home, 2nd Seder 1993
2 81 Jewish Orphan Home Alumni Association undated
2 82 Joseph Sr., Frank 1990-1992 and undated
2 83 Julian, Vince and Sullivan, Terry undated
2 84 Kelman, Samuel undated
2 85 Kerzner, Jackie undated
2 86 Magazine covers undated
2 87 Mayer, Morris Fritz undated
2 88 Melina, Lois undated
2 89 Miller, Dick undated
2 90 Montage of varied activities of Bellefaire summer program undated
2 91 Music appreciation activities 1944
2 92 Newberger, Don undated
2 93 New Years' Party Entertainment undated
2 94 Ohio Arts Council undated
2 95 Operation Exodus, United Jewish Appeal undated
2 96 Picnics undated
2 97 Pollock, Fredda undated
2 98 Pruitt, Andre and unidentified individual undated
2 99 Retirement Party for Billie (no last name) undated
2 100 Roth, David undated
2 101 Sachs, Amy undated
2 102 Saltzman, Maurice undated
2 103 Saltzman, Maurice (original material moved to container 6) undated
2 104 Segal, Harry undated
2 105 Simon, Louis undated
2 106 Stover, James August, 1986
2 107 Succoth undated
2 108 Therapy, cottage supervisor meets with boys to discuss some of their problems undated
2 109 Turner, Todd undated
2 110 Victory Garden undated
2 111 Wolstein, Scott undated
2 112 Young, Wendy undated
2 113 Unidentified undated

Series III: Negatives 1987-1995 and undated

Box Folder
3 1 Architectural planning meetings June 1, 1989 December 19, 1989
3 2 Bellefaire Chanukah Party December 19, 1989
3 3 Bellefaire Chanukah Party December 11, 1990
3 4 Bellefaire group shots July 18, 1989
3 5 Bellefaire Magic Show November 11, 1990
3 6 Bellefaire Passover April 18, 1987
3 7 Bellefaire students January 12, 1990
3 8 Bellefaire t-shirts October 16, 1989
3 9 Benefit, J.D.W. 1995
3 10 Campaign closing October 10, 1987
3 11 Campus undated
3 12 Construction January 31, 1990 October, 1990 November 13, 1990
3 13 Corporate donor events June 27, 1988 December, 1988
3 14 Cottage undated
3 15 Dedication of baseball field undated
3 16 Dedication of Bellefaire campus 1991
3 17 Dedication of chapel undated
3 18 Hoffer, Betty undated
3 19 Jewish Children's Foster Home Picnic undated
3 20 Jewish Day Nursery December 9, 1990 and undated
3 21 Marsh, E.O. [initials of name unidentified] with Kozuch family October 14, 1989
3 22 Monarch Society undated
3 23 NFL Alumni, Cleveland Browns Chapter October 17, 1989
3 24 Unidentified undated

Series IV: Slides 1964-1994 and undated

Box Folder
3 25 Architectural detail 1991 and undated
3 26 Bellefaire campus 1964-1990 and undated
3 27 Bellefaire Kids: "Depressed Person" February, 1990
3 28 Blueprints 1991
3 29 Broadcasting class February, 1991
3 30 Capital needs undated
3 31 Cleveland Heights High School undated
3 32 Construction November, 1990 through December, 1990
3 33 Construction January, 1991
3 34 Construction February, 1991
3 35 Construction March, 1991
3 36 Construction April, 1991
3 37 Construction May, 1991
3 38 Construction June, 1991
3 39 Construction July, 1991
3 40 Construction August, 1991
3 41 Construction September, 1991
3 42 Cottages 1976-1978 and undated
3 43 Faces 1987, 1989, 1991 and undated
3 44 "Heroes: Be One!" January 15, 1994
3 45 Jewish Day Nursery 1987-1990 and undated
3 46 Jewish Day Nursery, Purim 1990
3 47 Jewish Group Home 1987, 1989 and undated
3 48 Jewish Holidays 1989 and undated
3 49 Magazine covers 1987 and undated
3 50 Minority students 1987 and undated
3 51 Ohio Arts Council 1990 and undated
3 52 Ohio Arts Council (continued) 1990-1991 and undated
3 53 Research department July, 1989
3 54 Residential Treatment, Art Therapy August, 1991
3 55 Residential Treatment, Community Based Substitute Care undated
3 56 Residential Treatment, retirement of John Mitchell July, 1991
3 57 Rick Rodman's show undated
3 58 School 1988-1989 and undated
3 59 Specialized Foster Care 1987 and undated
3 60 Summer Olympics July, 1989 and undated
3 61 Therapy April, 1988 August, 1991 undated
3 62 Titles, Bellefaire logo and PowerPoint presentations November, 1987 and undated
3 63 Tree planting, East Ohio Gas Company Spring, 1990
3 64 Volunteers November, 1989 and undated
3 65 Unidentified 1967-1986
3 66 Unidentified 1987-1990 and undated
3 67 Unidentified 1991-1994 and undated
3 68 Unidentified undated

Series V: Cassettes, Reels, and VHS tapes 1990-1993 and undated

Box Folder
4 1 Cassette, "The Bellefaire Campaign," revised undated
4 2 Reel, Jack Girick speech undated
4 3 VHS, Bellefaire basketball and candle lighting undated
4 4 VHS, Bellefaire Conference on Teachers' Progress May 30, 1991
4 5 VHS, Bellefaire Children's Bureau, Annual Meeting June 1, 1993
4 6 VHS, Bellefaire Fashion Show 1990
4 7 VHS, Bellefaire Fashion Show 1991
4 8 VHS, Bellefaire "JCB Corporate Capital Campaign" undated
4 9 VHS, Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau, "Roots & Wings" Endowment Campaign Video undated
4 10 VHS, Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau, "The Children's Chance" undated
4 11 VHS, Bellefaire Reunion July 5, 1991 through July 7, 1991
4 12 VHS, Bellefaire Senior Graduation June 10, 1993
4 13 VHS, Bellefaire WOIO (local television station) undated
4 14 VHS, Jewish Children's Foster Home Picnic 1993
Box Folder
5 1 VHS, Jewish Orphan Home Alumni Association banquet, dedication, entertainment, executive meeting, and luncheon July 3, 1992 through July 5, 1992
5 2 VHS, Ohio Arts Council, Steve Feren October 25, 1990 through October 27, 1990