Al and Pearl Slayen Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0503

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Al and Pearl Slayen Collection consists of the Slayens' personal papers documeting their lives, philanthropic activities, and San Diego's Jewish community from the 1930s to the 1980s and includes correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, a scrapbook, and event programs.

Dates

Creation: 1936 - 2007
Creation: Majority of material found within 1936 - 1955

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Biographical Note

Pearl Lehrer was born in St. Louis in 1921 and Al Slayen was born in Winnipeg, Canada in 1917. Both came to San Diego with their families in the 1930s. They married in 1942. As teenagers they were very involved in Jewish clubs and benevolent associations. Throughout their lives both gave of themselves in Jewish and secular organizations. Mr. Slayen owned the San Diego Home Furnishings Mart in downtown San Diego and was very active in helping students start careers in the furnishing industry. Mrs. Slayen was a leader in many Jewish organizations. Her family helped found the first San Diego Hebrew Home in 1944. Both were philanthropists in the community. In 1975 they were honored by the Jewish National Fund for their contributions to the community with the Pearl and Al Slayen Forest in Israel, planted in their honor. Mr. Slayen died in 2002 and Mrs. Slayen died in 2007.