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Rabbi David Berent papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC080

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains published and unpublished sermons and writings written or collected by Rabbi David Berent of Congregation Beth Jacob in Lewiston, Maine. It also contains songbooks of music he arranged for his congregation, including several in volumes hand bound by Berent.

Berent's rabbinical library was also left to Bates College by Berent's wife and son following his death. A library catalog listing of these volumes can be found here.

Dates

  • 1934-1978, undated

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

The collection is the physical property of Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. Bates College holds literary rights only for material created by College personnel working on official behalf of the College, or for material which was given to the College with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication or other purposes that exceed fair use.

Historical Note

David Berent was born in New York City on February 28, 1907. He attended New York schools and studied at the City College of New York, Dropsie College, the Ets Chayim Seminary in Montreux, Switzerland, where he was ordained as a rabbi in 1933, and Tecahers College at Columbia University. He married Gertrude Weiner in August 1934 and the couple had one son, Jonathan. The Berents settled in Lewiston, Maine in 1940 where the Rabbi served the Congreation Beth Jacob until 1974. Rabbi Berent was president of the Rabbinical Association of Maine, and served for many years as chairman of the Maine Panel of Mediators for Labor Disputes. After his retirement, he and his wife spent winters in Deerfield Beach, Florida, where he died on February 20, 1981 at the age of 73.

Extent

5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Hebrew

Yiddish

Abstract

The collection contains published and unpublished sermons and writings written or collected by Rabbi David Berent of Congregation Beth Jacob in Lewiston, Maine. It also contains songbooks of music he arranged for his congregation.

Organization and Arrangement

The collection is arranged into three series: I. Sermons, II. Other writings; and III. Songbooks.

Acquisition and Custody Information

Gift of Gertrude and Jonathan Berent, 1983. Accession No.: None.

Separated Materials

The Berent Collection of Judaica, Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College

Processing Information

Initial processing by Kat Stefko.

Finding aid updated by Pat Webber, 2024.

Title
Guide to the Rabbi David Berent papers, 1934-1978, undated
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Kat Stefko
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in: English
Edition statement
©2008

Repository Details

Part of the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
70 Campus Avenue
Lewiston Maine 04240 United States of America
207-786-6354