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Loraine and Jack Stern Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0598

Scope and Contents

The Loraine and Jack Stern Collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, photos, speeches, newsletters and publicity materials regarding many JCC programs and the San Diego Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. It also contains lists of participants and a 1968 Directory of Jewish Institutions, Organizations and Houses of Worship - San Diego (and Area) California. Materials date from 1947 to 2019.

Dates

  • Creation: 1947 - 2019

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

Loraine (1921-2015), a social worker in Chicago, and Jack Stern (1918-1999), a dairy chemist working for Seagrams in New York, met in Chicago and came to San Diego during World War II where Jack was stationed in the Navy and Loraine worked for the Red Cross. In 1947 they were married at Congregation Beth Israel. After the war they started an unfinished furniture specialty store on El Cajon Boulevard. While raising a family, Loraine found time to be president of the San Diego Section of the National Council of Jewish Women and work at the East County JCC on 54th Street for 25 years. She created and managed The Source gift shop, conducted juried art shows, art lectures and trips, and auctions, and had a lecture series called Taboo Topics. A play she commissioned and produced through the JCC about the Kerner Report on civil rights was an important moment in civil rights history in San Diego. It earned her the Key to the City. In 2012 the JCC instituted an annual lecture named in her honor. Loraine often spelled her name with two "R"s.

Jack Stern was a long-time board member of Jewish Family Service, then president, in 1986 where he started the car donation program. The Jack Stern Volunteer Award is presented yearly by Jewish Family Service. Jack was also a very active volunteer with the JCC, both on its board and as president. He was instrumental in producing and performing in the JCC Theater Program.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (One records carton)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Roberta Stern donated her parents’ collection to the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego in 2019 (JHSSD #2019.01).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Jewish Historical Society of San Diego transferred this collection to Special Collections & University Archives in July 2022.

Accruals

2022

Related Materials

Mollie Harris Jewish Community Center Collection, MS-0483

Jewish Community Center of San Diego Library Collection, MS-0572

Jewish Historical Society of San Diego Oral History Collection, MS-0590

San Diego Jewish Newspapers Collection, MS-0482

Title
Loraine and Jack Stern Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Gerri Brech, Stan Schwartz, and Laurel Schwartz
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego CA 92182-8050 US
619-594-6791