Rabbi Dr. Sidney M. Berkowitz, originally of Terre Haute, Ind., graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1933 and from Hebrew Union College in 1936, at which time he was ordained as a rabbi. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in 1939. Berkowitz became rabbi of Congregation Sha'arai Shomayim (the Gates of Heaven), Mobile, Ala., in 1940 and volunteered to be a chaplain in the United States Army in 1942, where he served 42 months and was discharged with the rank of Major. Berkowitz became rabbi of Congregation Rodef Sholom, Youngstown, Ohio, where he served until a month before his death. He was committed to interfaith cooperation and had a deep and longstanding friendship with Bishop James W. Malone, who gave the eulogy at Berkowitz's funeral. Berkowitz married Pauline Anderson of England; they had two sons, Roger and R. Laurence. The collection includes a scrapbook, personal papers, clippings, other papers, and photographs. The scrapbook, compiled by Pauline Berkowitz, contains clippings, photographs, letters, and event programs related to Berkowitz's education and professional career. It primarily documents Berkowitz's time in Mobile, Ala., until joining the United States Army as a chaplain in 1942. Personal papers include transcripts from the University of Cincinnati and Hebrew Union College; tuition bills and receipts of payment from the University of Cambridge; programs of events from the Cambridge and Oxford Jewish societies; and other items. Other papers include inventories of Berkowitz material elsewhere and a partial oral history of Pauline Berkowitz. Also included is a Loeser family tree (Berkowitz's maternal family). Clippings are primarily from Berkowitz's service as Army chaplain and from around his death in 1983. Photographs document events during his time as Army chaplain, with most photographs from a 1943 Passover seder and 1944 Rosh Hashanah services at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado. The Addition of 2007 contains a copy of the eulogy read by Bishop James A. Malone at Berkowitz's funeral, clippings, and a Christmas card.
