Muriel Markel Goodman Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-0200-0012

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains papers and photographic materials accumulated by Muriel M. Goodman (neé Markel) that relate to her involvement with the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Temple Beth El (Buffalo), the Annual Jewish Community Book Fair and the Jewish Federation, United Jewish Appeal. In each of these organizations, Muriel Markel Goodman was a long time volunteer and lay leader. Her collection also includes materials related to the extended Markel family. The papers of Muriel Markel Goodman are arranged into four series. The first and largest series contains significant relating to NCJW service in Buffalo during the 1970s and 1980s when the NCJW Buffalo Chapter went through a period of significant change. Much of this material consists of invitations, programs, clippings, as well as written speeches delivered at particular events. Series II highlights some of the other community involvements that Muriel Goodman has participated in, or lead, over the last fifty years, including Expo ’76, (a week long celebration of Israel) and Jewish Book Fair, an annual event with which Muriel was associated for almost 25 years. Series III includes materials created by Muriel Markel Goodman at Temple Beth El, including a Temple anniversary and the related publicity. More materials relating to the 150th and other voluntary work by Muriel Goodman are recorded in the Temple Beth El, Buffalo, NY, Collection. Series IV: Relates to personal Markel family materials, often in the form of newspaper clippings. These also include business photographs of Markel Electric and Joseph Markel, and records of Markel community activities. It contains copies of clippings relating to the award of a Purple Heart to Hyman Markel, son of Rabbi Nissan Markel.

Dates

1941-2006
Majority of material found within 1979-1989

Creator

Goodman, Muriel Markel (Person)
National Council of Jewish Women. Buffalo Section (Creator, Organization)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The personal papers of Muriel Markel Goodman, 1941-2006 is open for research. There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright of papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Biographical / Historical

Muriel was born in Cleveland to Daniel and Cele Markel. At the age of two and a half, she and her family moved to the Buffalo, the hometown of Daniel Markel. After a move to Rochester and several years back in Cleveland, the family moved to Chicago. Eventually, the Markel family moved back to Buffalo as Markel related family businesses expanded. Muriel Goodman attended Public School 64 and Bennett High School and her family affiliated with Temple Beth El. While in school, Muriel worked at her family’s business, Markel Electric, part time. After marrying Neil Goodman at Temple Beth El in 1953, Muriel Goodman worked as the secretary for Jamestown Manufacturing Company and began decades of active volunteering. In later years, she maintained the accounts for her husband’s catering business. Muriel Goodman has served as an active volunteer within Temple Beth El and the Buffalo Jewish community for decades. She was involved in the Women’s Division of the United Jewish Fund, the National Council of Jewish Women, Federation of Greater Buffalo committee, Super Sunday, United Way, American Red Cross, Park School, Meals on Wheels, Temple Beth El Sisterhood, the Jewish Book Fair and the Jewish Film Festival. She was the president of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) from 1980 to 1982, vice president of the NCJW during Israel Expo and the NCJW Bulletin Chairman and a board member of the NCJW for 16 years. Involved in the Women’s Plea for Soviet Jewry, and numerous other events and campaigns for Jewish and Buffalo institutions, she received the NCJW Hannah F. Solomon Award in 1984. In 2006, she was recognized for 23 years of volunteer work with the Jewish Book Fair. She and her husband have two children.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 manuscript boxes [15x10x5])

Additional Description

Abstract

Personal papers documenting the personal and career life of local communal leader, Muriel Markel Goodman. Materials include speeches, newspaper clippings, media, and other material relating to her volunteer service and professional careers in the Jewish community within several organizations. Materials relating to the Markel family are also included.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in four series as follows:

National Council of Jewish Women, Buffalo Section
Other Volunteer Activities
Temple Beth El, Buffalo, NY
Markel Family Materials

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Muriel Markel Goodman donated materials in November 2009. The papers were initially arranged and described in October 2012, but several accruals followed in November 2012 and April 2013. The collection was arranged again in June 2015 and it was deposited at the University Archives, Special Collections by the Jewish Buffalo Archives Project in October 2015. The Jewish Buffalo Archives Project was founded in late 2007 under the auspices of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Buffalo with a seed grant from the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies. The Archives Project collects mainly 20th century documentation relating to the diverse histories, religious traditions and cultures of Jewish communities within the Greater Buffalo area of Western New York, encompassing the geographic areas of Erie and Niagara Counties and partners with the University Archives at the University at Buffalo to make these records accessible. The arrangement and description of the Muriel Markel Goodman Papers was made possible by funding obtained through the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and the Bureau of Jewish Education.

Accruals

Accruals are not expected to this collection.

Related Materials

Jewish Buffalo Archives Project collections

Processing Information

Collection was initially processed by Chana Revell Kotzin in October 2012 and again, in June 2015. Finding aid encoded by Archives Staff, January 2016.