Access and Provenance Biographical Sketch Scope and Content Note Box and Folder Listing

An Inventory to the Stanley F. Chyet Papers Manuscript Collection No. 726 1948-2001. 15.6 Linear ft.

ACCESS AND PROVENANCE

The Stanley Chyet Papers were donated to the American Jewish Archives by Stanley Chyet during the years 1960-2001. Papers donated subsequently came from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles at Dr. Chyet's insturction. All property rights are assigned to the American Jewish Archives. Literary rights to materials authored by Dr. Chyet are held by the Chyet heirs. Literary rights to materials authored by others are held by the individual author or his/her heirs. Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the Director of the American Jewish Archives.

The Stanley Chyet Papers are open to all users and available in the reading room of the American Jewish Archives

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH top

Stanley Franklin Chyet was born on April 2, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts to Jacob and Beatrice Chyet. He attended Boston Latin Preparatory School, and then went to Brandeis University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. His Bachelor's degree in Hebrew Letters was followed by a Master's degree, Ordination, and a Ph.D., all accomplished at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. During this time he met and married Geraldine Hyman, a student at the University of Cincinnati. Their marriage, in 1956, was followed by the arrival of two children: Michael, born in 1957, and Susan, born in 1958.

Once he had been ordained, Chyet signed up with the Army Reserve as a Chaplain, in which capacity he served from 1957-1960. His long and productive association with Hebrew Union College as a professor began in 1960. By 1965, he had become Associate Director of the American Jewish Archives. In 1969, he began his tenure as Professor of American Jewish History in Cincinnati. He continued in that role at the Los Angeles campus, beginning in 1976. Two years later, he assumed the Directorship of the Magnin School of Graduate Studies at HUC in Los Angeles.

Stanley Chyet loved being a teacher. He also loved being a rabbi. Over the years, he substituted for his many friends who were members of the Jewish clergy when they were on vacation, or ill. He officiated at the weddings of friends. He oversaw the preparation of their children when they became B'nai Mitzvah. Years later, he was still involved in their lives when they, too, married. On at least one occasion, he acted as "rabbi-in residence" on a cruise ship! He answered the call, glamorous or not, whenever he could. He was an active member of a number of organizations, among them the Central Conference of American Rabbis (executive board, 1972-1974); the Labor Zionist Alliance (president, Cincinnati branch, 1966-1967); the Zionist Academic Council (long-time member of executive committee); the Jewish Publication Society of America (long-time member of the publications committee); and the American Jewish Historical Society (member, Academic Council).

Chyet was perhaps proudest of his achievements as a writer, poet, and translator. He was the author of two books, Lopez of Newport and Lives and Voices. In addition, he co-authored Historical Essay on the Colony of Surinam-1788 with Jacob Rader Marcus, and co-edited Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths of Diocletian with Joseph Gutmann. His poetry and articles appeared in numerous periodicals. His translation of the poems of Israeli poet Haim Gouri from Hebrew to English was plainly a labor of love, and resulted in the publication of two books: Jericho and Other Poems, and Words in My Lovesick Blood: Poems by Haim Gouri. Finally, it is deserving of mention that Chyet greatly admired the author Ludwig Lewisohn. He collaborated with Roy Lekus, a French film producer, on a film about Lewisohn entitled Write For Your Life.

Stanley Chyet passed away in Los Angeles on October 19, 2002 at the age of 71. The cause of death was cancer.

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE top

The papers describe the adult life of Stanley Chyet, who, in addition to his professional roles of rabbi, professor and poet, was a loving husband, father and friend. A thorough examination of his correspondence, which occupies 28 of the 39 Hollinger boxes in the collection, provides a window on the caring nature with which Chyet was blessed. This quality of Chyet’s comes through most clearly in the responses he received from people he had written to advise or comfort. Time and again, one reads words to the effect that “of all the letters I received, yours meant the most.” His ability to communicate from the heart, coupled with his command of the English language, allowed him to convey what is oftentimes hard to say.

The Chyet collection is divided into six series:

· Correspondence
· Writings
· Education
· Subject Files
· Personal
· Audiotapes

SERIES A., CORRESPONDENCE, includes a wide range of communications: personal, letters combining the personal with business, letters about publishing endeavors, and travel. These letters are arranged alphabetically, by correspondent. When an individual has their own folder, the contents are arranged by date. The last box in this series, 28, contains a significant amount of information regarding the Labor Zionists Organization of America (Poalei Zion). As stated previously, this series occupies boxes 1 – 28. Span dates are 1952-2001.

SERIES B. WRITINGS, consists of Chyet’s poetry, articles, and contacts with Wayne State University Press regarding the publication of Chyet’s translation of Haim Gouri’s poems, Words in my Lovesick Blood. In addition, the marked-up manuscript of Moses Jacob Ezekiel occupies one entire Hollinger box. Series B occupies boxes 29 and 30. Folders 30/3, 30/4 and 30/5 are arranged chronologically. Span dates are 1962-2001.

SERIES C. EDUCATION, occupies boxes 31 through 35. These papers include lecture notes, faculty committee activities, curriculum development materials, and materials related to the college accreditation process. A good deal having to do with the college’s affiliation with the University of Southern California is also included. Surprisingly, there is almost nothing concerning Chyet’s Directorship of the Magnin School of Graduate Studies at HUC. Folders are arranged alphabetically within each box. Folder contents are arranged chronologically. Span dates are 1962-2000.

SERIES D. SUBJECT FILES, occupies boxes 36 and 37. The larger files in this series include Indiana University Press, Jewish Publication Society, Labor Zionist Alliance, National Endowment for the Humanities, Southern California Jewish Historical Society, and the Zionist Academic Council. Folders are arranged alphabetically across the two boxes. Folder contents are arranged chronologically. Span dates are 1948-1999.

SERIES E. AND F. PERSONAL and AUDIOTAPES, occupy boxes 38 and 39. The materials Chyet deemed “personal” in nature are, in fact, no more so than any of the rest of his correspondence. The audiotapes, which can be found in the last folder of the collection, include an interview with Chyet and his address on the radio program, Message of Israel. Span dates are 1954-1990.

BOX AND FOLDER LIST top

Box	Folder	Contents

SERIES A. CORRESPONDENCE. 1952-2001.

1	1	Correspondence. A-Af.
	2	Correspondence. Ak-Am.
	3	Correspondence. An-Ar.
	4	Appel, Herbert. 1958-1959.
	5	Aronson, Elliot and Vera. 1954-1959.
	6	Correspondence. As-At.
	7	Correspondence. Au-Az.

2	1	Correspondence. Ba-Bb.
	2	Barenbaum, Michael. 1989-1996.
	3	Bargad, Warren. 1983.
	4	Barth, Lewis. 1976-1997.
	5	Bauer, Alex. 1989-1991.
	6	Bayor, Ronald. 1989.
	7	Correspondence. Be.
	8	Beerman, Leonard. 1990-2001.
	9	Berinsky, Helen, Adam and Rachel. 1989-1995.
	10	Berinsky, Burt. 1955-1965.
	11	Berman, Judith. 1991-1994.
	12	Berman, Dan. 1956-1957.
	13	Bernhard, Herbert. 1990-1997.

3	1	Correspondence. Bir-Bis.
	2	Biweekly Student Congregations. 1954-1959.
	3	Correspondence. Bl
	4	Blair, Dewey. 1961-1962.
	5	B’nai B’rith, A.D.L. and Hillel. 1955-1958.
	6	Correspondence. Boa-Bow. 1990-1997.
	7	Boorstin, Daniel. 1960.
	8	Boston Latin School. 1985-1999.
	9	Correspondence. Box-Br. 1958-2001.
	10	Brandeis University. 1955-1996.
	11	Braverman, Lorry. 1954-1956.
	12	Correspondence. Bu-By.

4	1	Correspondence. Ca-Ci.
	2	Chaim, Shoshana. 1994-1995.
	3	Charney family. 1976-1996.
	4	Charney, Roberta. 1957-1995.
	5	Chyet, Geri Hyman. 1958-1976.
	6	Chyet, Jacob and Beatrice. 1954-1961.
	7	Chyet, Michael. 1976-1994.
	8	Chyet, Susan. 1977-1984.

5	1	Correspondence. Cl.
	2	Correspondence. Co-Cr.
	3	Cogdell, Gaston D. 1978-1999.
	4	Cohen, Martin A. 1958-1996.
	5	Cohen, Norman. 1997-2001.
	6	Congregation Emanu-El.  Welch, W. Va.  1958-1959.
	7	Correspondence. Cu-Cy.

6	1	Correspondence. Da-De.
	2	Correspondence. Di-Dy.
	3	Correspondence. E.
	4	Edgar, Leslie I. 1957-1963.
	5	Ellenson, David. 2001.
	6	Correspondence. Fa-Fe.

7	1	Correspondence. Fi-Fr.
	2	Fierman, Floyd S. 1958-1987.
	3	Firestone, Reuven. 1997-2001.
	4	Frank, Bernard and Toby. 1957-1977.
	5	Frank, Henry B. 1957-1959.
	6	Friesel, Batya. 1989-1997.
	7	Friesel, Evyatar. 1971-1985.
	8	Correspondence. Fu.
	9	Correspondence. Ga-Gi.
	10	Gelstein, Harold. 1955-1956.

8	1	Correspondence. Gl.
	2	Glatzer, Nahum. 1958-1963.
	3	Glueck, Nelson. 1957-1962.
	4	Correspondence.  Go.
	5	Goldberg, Keren. 1989-1995.
	6	Goldgraber, Hayim. 1993-1994.
	7	Goldstein, Libby. 1954-1955.
	8	Goodman, Lenn. 1990-1993.
	9	Goodwin, George. 1991-2001.
	10	Gottschalk, Alfred. 1961-1997.
	11	Gouri, Haim. 1988-1993.
	12	Government Correspondence. 1954-1996.

9	1	Correspondence. Gra-Gry.
	2	Correspondence. Gu.
	3	Gutmann, Joseph and Marilyn. 1957-1958.
	4	Gutmann, Joseph. 1971-1973.
	5	Gutmann, Joseph. 1973-1974.
	6	Gutmann, Joseph. 1990-1998.
	7	Correspondence. Ha.
	8	Hanson, Peter. 1957-1958.

10	1	Correspondence. He-Hero.
	2	Correspondence. Hers-Hey. 
	3	Herson, Benjamin. 1977-1997.
	4	Correspondence. Hi.
	5	Correspondence. Hoc-Hof.
	6	Hoff, David. 1962.
	7	Correspondence. Hog-Hor.

11	1	Correspondence. Hu-Hz.
	2	Hyman, Ben. 1952-1971.
	3	Hymowitz, Chaim. 1957-1961.
	4	Correspondence. I.
	5	Correspondence. Ja-Jaf.
	6	Correspondence. Je-Ji.
	7	Correspondence. Jo-Ju.

12	1	Correspondence. Ka.
	2	Kallen, Horace. 1968-1973.
	3	Kaplan, Mordecai. 1952-1964.
	4	Katz, Edna Ann. 1955-1962.
	5	Katzen, Mrs. Isadore. 1958-1959.
	6	Correspondence. Ken-Kin.
	7	Kirschner, Robert. 1991-1995.
	8	Klein. 1955-1996.

13	1	Correspondence. Kno-Ku.
	2	Korn, Bertram W. 1959-1962.
	3	Correspondence. La-Lch.
	4	Correspondence. Leb-Ler.
	5	Lekus Film Project about Ludwig Lewisohn. 1988-1992.

14	1	Leslau, Wolf. 1955-1959.
	2	Correspondence. Lev-Lew.
	3	Lewisohn, Louise (Mrs. Ludwig). 1956-1971.
	4	Lewisohn, Louise (Mrs. Ludwig). 1972-1975.
	5	Lewy, Julius. 1957-1962.
	6	Correspondence. Lic-Liv.
	7	Liebschutz, Philip. 1959-1997.
	8	Liebschutz, Thomas. 1959-1998.

15	1	Correspondence. Lo.
	2	Correspondence. Lu-Ly.
	3	Correspondence. Ma-Man.
	4	Correspondence. Mar-McL.
	5	Marcus, Jacob R. 1956-1975.
	6	Correspondence. Me.

16	1	Correspondence. Mic-Mil.
	2	Miller, Jonathan. 1985-1999.
	3	Miller, Judea B. 1954-1995.
	4	Correspondence. Min-Mis.
	5	Correspondence. Mod-Mov.
	6	Correspondence. Mu-My.

17	1	Correspondence. Na.
	2	Correspondence. Ne.
	3	Correspondence. Ni.
	4	Correspondence. No
	5	Nobil, Jerry C. 1958.
	6	Correspondence. Nu.
	7	Correspondence. O.

18	1	Correspondence. Pa.
	2	Parsley, Chuck and Jeanne. 1954-1997.
	3	Correspondence. Pe-Pu.
	4	Peck, Abraham. 1976-1997.

19	1	Correspondence. Pol-Posn.
	2	Correspondence. Post-Prof.
	3	Correspondence. Q.
	4	Correspondence. Raa-Rap.
	5	Correspondence. Rat-Raz.

20	1	Correspondence. Rea-Reu.
	2	Regen, Anthony. 1957-1958.
	3	Correspondence. Ric-Riv.
	4	Correspondence. Ro.
	5	Robinson, Bob. 1957.
	6	Rosensaft, Jean. 1989-1999.
	7	Correspondence. Ru-Ry. 1957-1993.

21	1	Correspondence. Sab-Sam
	2	Sacks, Moe, Mae and Zelda. 1955-1957.
	3	Sain, Tony. 1997-1998.
	4	Correspondence. San-Saz.
	5	Saulters, Gyneth. 1978-1986.
	6	Saulters, Gyneth. 1987-1990.
	7	Saulters, Gyneth. 1991-1996.

22	1	Scarf Family. 1992-1995.
	2	Correspondence. Schae-Schil.
	3	Correspondence. Schin-Schwe.
	4	Schwartz, Leah. 1989-1994.
	5	Correspondence. Se.

23	1	Correspondence. Sh.
	2	Shapiro, Yonatan. 1965-2001.
	3	Correspondence. Si. 1989-1997.
	4	Correspondence. Sk-Sr.
	5	Correspondence. St-Sz.
	6	Steingraph, Hy. 1955-1993.

24	1	Correspondence. Ta-Th.
	2	Tenbroeck, Nancy. 1954.
	3	Correspondence. Ti-Ty. 
	4	Correspondence. U.

25	1	Correspondence. Va-Vor.
	2	Voss, Carl H. 1989-1995.

26	1	Correspondence. Wa-Weine.
	2	Correspondence. Weint-Weiss, E.
	3	Correspondence. Weiss, J.-White.
	4	Correspondence. Wi-Wy.
	5	Woman, Jewish: A Bibliography. 1996.
	6	Women Writers.
	7	Wright, Paulo. 1952-1955.

27	1	Correspondence. Y.
	2	Correspondence. Za-Ze.
	3	Correspondence. Zi-Zy.
	4	Zimmerman, Sheldon. 1995-2000.
	5	Miscellaneous Letters and Papers. 1950’s.
	6	Miscellaneous Letters and Papers. 1960’s – 1990’s

28	1	Correspondence and Miscellaneous.  Cincinnati, Ohio and  Jerusalem.  
		June 1969-March 1971.
	2	Correspondence and Miscellaneous.  Cincinnati, Ohio and  Jerusalem.  
		April 1971-Dec. 1971.
	3	Correspondence and Papers.  Community Hebrew Schools and Yavneh Day School.  
		Cincinnati, Ohio.  1963-1970.
	4	Correspondence and Papers.  Labor Zionists Organization	of America (Poalei Zion).  
		Cincinnati, Ohio. Oct.1963-Sept.1966.
	5	Correspondence and Papers.  Labor Zionists Organization	of America (Poalei Zion). 
		Cincinnati, Ohio.  Oct. 1966-March 1973.

SERIES B.  WRITINGS.  1962-2001.

29	1	Manuscript, Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths
		of Diocletian.  Edited by Stanley Chyet and Joseph Gutmann. 
		p. 1-147.  Detroit, Mi.  1975.  				
	2	Manuscript, Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths
		of Diocletian.  Edited by Stanley Chyet and Joseph Gutmann. 
		p. 148-286.  Detroit, Mi.  1975.
	3	Manuscript, Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths
		of Diocletian.  Edited by Stanley Chyet and Joseph Gutmann.
		p. 287-411.  Detroit, Mi.  1975.
	4	Manuscript, Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths
		of Diocletian.  Edited by Stanley Chyet and Joseph Gutmann.
		p. 412-572.  Detroit, Mi.  1975.
	5	Manuscript, Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths
		of Diocletian.  Edited by Stanley Chyet and Joseph Gutmann
		p. 573-726.  Detroit, Mi.  1975.
	6	Manuscript, Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths
		of Diocletian.  Edited by Stanley Chyet and Joseph Gutmann
		p. 727-750.  Detroit, Mi.  1975.
	7	Manuscript, Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Memoirs from the Baths
		of Diocletian.  Edited by Stanley Chyet and Joseph Gutmann
		p. 751-888.  Detroit, Mi.  1975.

30	1	Chyet, Stanley: Poetry, translated by.  1977-2001.
	2	Chyet, Stanley: Various genre, written by.  1962-1982.
	3	Wayne State University Press.  1979-1994.
	4	Wayne State University Press.  1995.
	5	Wayne State University Press.  1996-1998.

SERIES C.   EDUCATION.    HEBREW UNION COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 1962-2000.


31	1	Age of Brass lecture notes.  n.d.
	2       American Jewish Community lecture notes.  n.d.
	3       American Jewish Fiction lecture notes.  n.d.
	4       American Jewish History lecture notes.  n.d.
	5       Contemporary Jewish Studies.  Class proposal for 1970-1975.
	6 	Doctor of Hebrew Letters Program.  Cincinnati.  1998.
	7       Exhibit – Skirball Museum.  1990.
	8       Lecture Notes, Miscellaneous.  n.d.
	9	Thesis Reports. 1965-1976.

32	1	Faculty Welfare Committee.  1975-1977.
	2	Faculty Activities.  1976.
	3	Faculty Activities.  1977.
	4	Miscellaneous.  n.d.
	5	Library, HUC/L.A.: Holdings by Stanley Chyet.  n.d.
	6	Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service.  1983.
	7	Reform Judaism: History, Theology and Practice lecture notes.  1989.

33	1	Admissions.  1998.
	2	Admissions.  2000.
	3	Curriculum Core.  2000.	
	4	Curriculum, Ordination.  1999.
	5	Faculty Handbook.  2000
	6	Focus Groups.  1997.
	7	HUC-JIR 125th Anniversary.  2001.
	8	HUC Press.  1995.
	9	Magnin School of Graduate Studies.  2000.
	10	Rabbinic School.  1998.
	11	Student Advisement.  1999.
	12	Walter Hilborn Synagogue.  2000.

34	1	Art and Letters.  1997-2000
	2	Course Evaluation.  2000
	3	General Education Course Proposals.  1980, 1993.
	4	Institute for the Study of Jews in American Life.  1998-1999.
	5	Inter-Departmental Correspondence.  1975-1983.
	6	The Jew in American Fiction.  1997.
	7	Liaison Committee.  1972-1981.
	8	Louchheim School.  1997-1999.
	9	Psychology Dept.  1981.
	10	School of Religion.  1972-1980.
	11	Western Culture Sub-committee.  1992.

35	1	Western Assoc. of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 	Supplementary Self-Survey.  1974.
	2	WASC Self-survey. 1978
	3	WASC Accreditation Process. 1979.
	4	WASC Graduate Accreditation. 1983.
	5	WASC Accreditation Process. 1984.
	6	WASC Accreditation Renewal. 1984.
	7	WASC Re-accreditation: Final Report. 1985.
	8	WASC Accreditation. 1998-2001.

SERIES D.  SUBJECT FILES.   1948-1999.

36	1	Indiana University Press.  1984-1999.
	2	Jerusalem Books. 1997-1998.
	3	Jewish Chautauqua Society.  1958-1962.
	4	Jewish Publication Society. 1958-1996.
	5	Jewish Symposium Committee.  1985.
	6	Jewish Theater of Los Angeles.  1994.
	7	Justice for Litton Workers.  1983.
	8	Labor Zionist Alliance.  1970-1994.
	9	Labor Zionist Alliance: Culture Committee.  1980-1993.
	10	Lincoln and the Jews.  n.d.
	11	Midstream (periodical). 1978-1981.

37	1	National Endowment for the Humanities.  1978-1988.
	2	Scholar’s Press.  1997-1998.
	3	Southern California Jewish Historical Society.  1982-1989.
	4	Soviet Jewry,  Invocation delivered at meeting about. 1967.
	5	UAHC Biennial – Resolutions.  1987
	6	University of Alabama Press.  1984-1992.
	7	U.A.H.C. 58th General Assembly.  1985.
	8	Women’s Spirituality Conference.  1984.
	9	World  Jewish Congress.  1978-1995.
	10	Zionist Academic Council.  1978-1982.
	11	Zionist Organization of America.  1948.

SERIES E.  PERSONAL.  1954-1985.

38	1	Diaries.  1954-1967.
	2	Personal Papers.  1952-1968.
	3	Personal Papers.  1969-1972.
	4	Personal Papers.  1973-1985.
	5	Photographs.  n.d.
	6	Unidentified Correspondence.  n.d.

39	1	Biographies.  Various.
	2	Chaplaincy, Army Reserve. 1957-1960.

SERIES F.  AUDIOTAPES.  n.d., 1990.

	3	Interview by the California Times. n.d., and Message of Israel.  1990.
	

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