Greater Boston Committee of the Massachusetts Observance of the American Jewish Tercentenary

The creation of the American Jewish Tercentenary Committee in 1951 to celebrate the 300 th anniversary of Jewish settlement in the United States was received widely and enthusiastically in Jewish communities across the country. The theme of the observance, "Man's Opportunities and Responsibilities Under Freedom" was meant to "describe the significance of the present day for American Jews, and sum up the aspirations for the future for ourselves, for all Americans, and indeed for people everywhere who yearn for freedom," according to David Bernstein, who served as the executive director of the American Jewish Tercentenary Committee. 2 Boston began preparations for their own celebrations in 1952 under the leadership of Herbert B. Ehrmann as chairman, Robert E. Segal as coordinator and Elaine F. Lipson as assistant coordinator of the Greater Boston Committee. Both Ehrmann and Segal were well known and respected community leaders who utilized their connections to identify people who could participate in sub-committees that were organized to accomplish the numerous tasks at hand. The Greater Boston Committee was designed similarly to the National Committee and had 300 members, some of whom were members in name only.

Working committees, members and goals included:

...