Explore the American Jewish Historical Society’s rich archive preserving Jewish heritage in the U.S., including Emma Lazarus’ handwritten poem and stories of resilience amid rising antisemitism.
Inside the American Jewish Archive Safeguarding a Legacy of Resilience and Contribution
In a quiet, climate-controlled space in Manhattan’s American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS), the inked handwriting of a young Jewish poet continues to echo through history. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” once just a line in Emma Lazarus’ fundraising poem is now etched into the soul of a nation and engraved on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. But long before it became iconic, those words were simply written on paper, now carefully preserved in the AJHS archive.
This historic document is just one of thousands housed in the 133-year-old archive, the oldest national ethnic historical organization in the United States. Its steward, Melanie Meyers, the eighth person to oversee the collection, says it’s more than an archive it’s a living testament to the complexity, creativity, and resilience of Jewish life in America.
A Guardian of Jewish-American Memory
“The first time I held the Lazarus book and I have a strict rule, we don’t cry in the archive I found myself becoming very emotional,” Meyers admits.
For Meyers and her team, the mission is not just about preservation but also about engagement and education. As Chair of Collection and Engagement at the AJHS, she’s helping the archive fulfill its founding purpose: to combat antisemitism through education, celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans, and make the story of Jewish life in the Americas accessible to all.
History That Goes Deeper Than Persecution
While antisemitism is undeniably a recurring thread in Jewish history, the AJHS doesn’t dwell in trauma. Instead, it highlights the accomplishments, activism, and perseverance of Jewish individuals and communities across centuries.
“The story we are sharing is that the history of the Jewish people in the Americas is rich, is important, and goes back, I think, much farther than most people realize,” Meyers explains.
Artifacts in the collection range from personal letters and immigration documents to cultural icons like the baseball bat presented to Hank Greenberg’s team after clinching the American League pennant. Greenberg, one of the first Jewish baseball superstars, faced open antisemitism on and off the field.
“He was taunted from the stands. Opposing players and teams made antisemitic comments,” Meyers said. “But he kept swinging.”
Archives as an Answer to Hate
The AJHS archive serves a new urgency today. NYPD data shows that antisemitic hate crimes in New York City have risen 17% in the first quarter of this year, with Jewish Americans accounting for 58% of all hate crime victims.
In this climate, institutions like AJHS have taken on renewed importance. “We emphasize again those stories of resilience and the people who fought against that,” Meyers says. “For every Henry Ford who’s writing antisemitic propaganda, we have Jewish citizens forming organizations to push back.”
A Treasure Trove for Scholars and the Public Alike
The archive isn’t just for historians. It’s open to researchers, students, and curious minds both in person and online. Scholars like Sophie Cornfield, a research fellow, say the contemporary relevance of the archive cannot be overstated.
“It’s just important, I think, to have researchers come in and get to kind of look through these papers with a contemporary eye,” Cornfield notes.
For visitor Gordon Dale, the true magic of the archive is discovery. “It’s a treasure. Scholars may be looking for one thing, but find something else entirely.”
More Than Documents A Shared Responsibility
In a time of rising polarization and hate, the AJHS archive stands as both a sanctuary and a call to action. It asks us not only to remember, but to learn and engage.
“These are papers that belong to everyone,” Meyers said. “I think all of us that have had this position take the maintenance, the stewardship, the care of this archive with the utmost seriousness.”
As hate rises, the AJHS remains steadfast not just preserving the past, but also empowering the future.
