Papers regarding Abraham Feingold's Prosecution For Alleged Communist Sympathies, 1918-1970
Collection Number: 5470
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Papers regarding Abraham Feingold's Prosecution For Alleged Communist Sympathies, 1918-1970
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5470
Abstract:
Newspaper clippings concerning the trial, correspondence and pamphlets written in
support of Feingold, and other documents relating to Feingold's career and dismissal.
Creator:
Feingold, Abraham
Quanitities:
0.33 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
In May of 1950, Abraham Feingold, a mathematics teacher at Manual Training High School
in Brooklyn, was suspended from his job for refusing to answer a question, submitted
by the superintendent of schools to all New York City school teachers, as to whether
he was or had ever been a communist. Feingold was one of eight New York City teachers
who refused to answer the question. All were suspended by the superintendent of schools.
In the fall of that year, the suspensions were upheld, and on appeal by the State
Education Commissioner, Abraham Feingold and the seven other defendants were permanently
removed from the New York school system.
In addition to refusing to answer the question as to past or present communist affiliation,
all eight defendants were Jewish, and charges of anti-Semitism on the part of the
superintendent of schools were prominent throughout the controversy.
This collection includes newspaper clippings concerning the trial, correspondence
and pamphlets written in support of Feinberg, and other documents relating to Feingold's
career and dismissal.
The collection includes pamphlets written by supporters of the defendants; newspaper
articles pertaining to suspensions and subsequent trial; petitions condemning the
suspension of Feingold, declarations in support of the eight teachers; open letters
by the eight to the Board of Education and parents of students explaining their position.
Also included are numerous letters written to Feingold from former students, associates,
and parents expressing support; teaching evaluations; notes of appreciation from superiors
to Feingold; copies of citations received by Feingold for commendable service in the
War Loan Drive (1944); and copies of speeches (final and rough drafts) delivered by
Feingold at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland and before the National Federation
of Education Workers (CGT) in Paris (1950).
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Papers regarding Abraham Feingold's Prosecution For Alleged Communist Sympathies #5470.
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 5015: Teachers Union of the City of New York Records
Names:
Teachers' Union of the City of New York
Feingold, Abraham, 1900-1970
Subjects:
Communist teachers--New York (N.Y.)
Communist trials.
CONTAINER LIST
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Personal writings
|
1950 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
News coverage
|
1950-1970 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Printed materials
|
1948-1954 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Testimonials and correspondence
|
1918-1950 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 |
Supervisory Reports
|
1931-1950 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 |
Correspondence and Speeches
|
1950 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Statements and Background Information
|
1950 |