Ely Aaron Papers

An inventory of the collection at the University of Illinois at Chicago



Collection Summary

Creator:Ely Aaron
Title:Ely Aaron Papers
Dates:1896-1975
Abstract: Ely Aaron was a Chicago lawyer who served with various organizations and civic committees related to civil rights, Jewish issues, and racial integration. The collection contains his personal papers related to these issues and reflect his work as a civic leader during the mid-twentieth century.
Quantity: 13 linear feet
Identification: EAaron

Biographical Sketch

Born April 29, 1896 in Chicago, Ely Mayer Aaron studied law at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, graduating in 1918. He practiced law in Chicago, most notably as a partner in the firm of Aaron, Aaron, Schimberg, and Hess. In 1928, he married Helen E Strauss, with whom had had two children. His interests in integration and civil rights led him to serve with the Chicago Committee on Human Relations, the Chicago Committee on Human Opportunity, and the American Jewish Committee, amongst other organizations and civic commissions. He died in 1975.

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations formed in 1947 as the successor to the Mayor's Committee on Human Relations to address issues related to racial unrest in the city. The commission consisted of fifteen volunteer civic leaders appointed by the mayor, and Aaron served on the commission from its inception and as then chairman from 1960-1967. During this period he also served on the affiliated Mayor's Committee on New Residents and the Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity.

Aaron directed his volunteer energy towards Jewish issues as well. His involvement with the American Jewish Committee began in 1946 and sustained throughout the rest of his life. Although the national organization dates from 1906, the Chicago chapter began in 1945, with Aaron involved early on. He served as Chairman of the Chicago chapter from 1946-1952, later moving into leadership roles within the national organization. With his work for the AJC, he combined his interests in domestic civil rights issues with international Jewish concerns including matters pertaining to Israeli settlement and statehood.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains papers collected by Aaron throughout his civic activities, covering many aspects of his volunteer life. Materials primarily include correspondence, reports, meeting agendas and minutes, clippings, literature, and memos. The collection includes two accessions from 1969 and 1978, with materials from both organized by topical series, including: Biographical, American Jewish Committee Part I, Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity, Miscellaneous Organizations and Events, and American Jewish Committee Part II.

Related Collections: Researchers should be aware that Special Collections also holds the personal papers of Helen Aaron, spouse of Ely Aaron.

Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Subjects:
Aaron, Ely M. (Ely Mayer), 1896-1975 --Archives.
American Jewish Committee --Sources.
Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity --Sources.
Civil rights --Illinois --Chicago --Sources.
Discrimination in housing --Illinois --Chicago --Sources.
Poverty --Illinois --Chicago --Sources.
United States. Office of Economic Opportunity --Sources.

Detailed Description/Box and Folder Listing

Series I. Biographical

BoxFolder
11Personal, 1964-1965
2Speeches, 1965
3Immigrant Services League Award, 1965
4Speeches, 1947-1963
5Congratulations Letters, 1960-1961
6Law Practice Partnership Agreement, 1970
7Speeches, undated


Series II. American Jewish Committee--Part I

BoxFolder
18Chicago Chapter - Agendas and Minutes, 1964-1965
9Chicago Chapter - Annual Reports, 1964-1965
10Chicago Chapter - By-laws, 1963
11Chicago Chapter - Correspondence, 1964-1965
12Chicago Chapter - Miscellaneous, 1951-1966
BoxFolder
213National Organization - Agendas and Minutes, 1964-1965
14National Organization - Annual Report, 1965
15National Organization - Correspondence, 1939-1965
16National Organization - Miscellaneous, 1963-1965
17National Organization - Published Material, 1952-1965
18National Organization - Reports, 1961-1965


Series III. Chicago Commission on Human Relations

BoxFolder
219Agendas and Minutes, 1964-1965
20Annual Report, 1963
21Chicago Plan, undated
22Chicago Volunteer Tutoring Program, undated
23Civil Rights in Chicago, 1964-1965
24Complaints, 1964-1965
BoxFolder
325Correspondence, 1964-1966
26Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1961-1966
27Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1967
28Police Reports, 1965
BoxFolder
429Published Material, 1961-1965
30Report on Puerto Rican Residents, 1966
31Director Reports, 1964-1965
32Volunteer Tutoring Program, 1965
33Volunteer Tutoring Program. 1964
34Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1959
35Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1962
36Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Survey, 1962
BoxFolder
537Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Personnel Selection Committee, 1960
38Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Personnel Selection Committee, 1957-1962
39Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1962-1975
40Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1970
41Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Steering Committee, 1964
BoxFolder
642Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1961-1963
43Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1962
44Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1962-1974
45Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Mayor's Commission on Community Welfare, 1954-1962
46Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1954-1960
47Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Committee on New Residents, 1957-1958
BoxFolder
748Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1962-1964
49Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1964-1972
50Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1957-1968
51Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Mayor's Committee on New Residents, 1957-1959
52Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1963
53Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1961-1963
BoxFolder
854Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 1953-1965
55Chicago Commission on Human Relations - Literature, 1944-1958


Series IV. Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity

BoxFolder
856Advisory Councils - Minutes, 1965
57Annual Report, 1966
58Applications for Assistance, 1965
59Base Reports for Status Files, 1965
BoxFolder
960Chicago Plan, 1966
61Chicago Plan, 1966
62Volunteer Tutoring Program, undated
63Committee of the Whole Meeting, 1964
64Community Action Programs, 1967
65Community Development Service Committee, 1965
66Current and Future Programs, 1965
67Subcommittees, 1967
68Subcommittees, 1967
69Subcommittees, 1968
70Subcommittees, 1968
71Education Subcommittee, 1967
72Education Subcommittee, 1968
73Education Subcommittee, 1965
74Executive Committee, 1965-1967
75Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
BoxFolder
1076Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1968
77Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
78Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
79Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1968
80Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1968
81Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
82Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
83Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
84Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
BoxFolder
1185Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
86Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
87Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
88Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
89Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
90Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
91Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
92Executive Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
93Firman House Report, 1965
94Full Committee - Agendas and Minutes, 1965-1967
95Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1967-1968
BoxFolder
1296Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1967
97Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
98Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1968
99Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1969
100Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1968
101Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
102Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
103Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
104Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
105Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1968
106Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
BoxFolder
13107Full Committee Meeting Kit, 1966
108Full Committee Review of Ongoing Programs, 1966
109Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity, 1964-1967
110Narrative Progress Reports, 1966
111Narrative Progress Reports, 1966
112Narrative Progress Reports, 1965
113Plano Child Development Center, 1967
114Program Evaluation Subcommittee, 1965
115Program for 1966, 1966
116Project CALM, 1966
BoxFolder
14117Project Share, 1966
118Proposals from Other Agencies, undated,
119Proposals for Participation in Community Action, 1965
120Pushup Journal, 1966
121Narrative Progress Reports, 1966
122Recommendations for Appointment to CCUO, 1966-1967
123Reports, 1965-1968
124Round Table, undated
125Rules and Policies, 1966
126Science Action Program, 1965
127Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
128Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1964
BoxFolder
15129Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965-1966
130Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1964-1965
131Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
132Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
133Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
134Steering Committee Meeting Kit,, 1965
135Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
136Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
137Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
138Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965-1966
139Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1964
140Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1964
141Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
142Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1964
143Steering Committee Meeting Kit, 1965
144Student Woodlawn Area Project, 1966
BoxFolder
16145Summary of Applications, 1966
146Summary of 1968 Summer Programs, 1968
147Summer Cap - Operation Push-up, 1966
148Summer Cap - Operation Push-up, 1966
149Summer Cap - Urban Career Corps, 1966
150Summer in Chicago, 1967
151Summer Community Action Program, 1966
152Summer Programs, 1966-1967
153
154Upcast, undated
155Urban Progress Centers, 1964
156Urban Progress Systems, 1965
BoxFolder
17157Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity, 1966-1967
158Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity, 1965-1967


Series V. Miscellaneous Organizations and Events

BoxFolder
17159Chicago Conference on Race and Religion, undated
160Chicago Department of Urban Renewal, 1963
161Chicago Plan Commission, 1964
162Citizens' Committee to Study Police-Community Relations, 1967
163City of Chicago - Summer Opportunities, 1967-1968
164Council on Consumer Education, 1964
165Hospital Planning Council for Metropolitan Chicago, 1965
166Housing and Urban Development Act, 1965
BoxFolder
18167State of Illinois Annual Report, 1965
168Jewish civil Rights, 1964-1965
169John Birch Society, 1965
170Joint Human Relations Project, 1963-1964
171League of Women Voters of Chicago, 1965
172Miscellaneous Memos, undated
173National Civil Liberties Clearing House Conference, 1965
174Miscellaneous Speeches, 1964-1965
175School Superintendent Petition, undated
176Office of Economic Opportunity, 1965
177Office of Economic Opportunity, 1965
178Office of Economic Opportunity, 1968
179University of Chicago, 1964
180Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago, 1964
BoxFolder
19181Clippings, 1972
182National Council on Civil Rights - Leaflets, 1949
183Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, 1974-1975
184Conference - Preserving the Democratic Process, 1965
185Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, 1974
186Illinois Constitutional Convention, 1967
187Clippings, 1962
188Chicago Bar Association Nominating Committee, 1960
189Clippings, Racial Disorders, 1966
190Harold Garswell, undated
191Chicago Loop Synagogue, 1973-1974
BoxFolder
20192Consultative Conference of Jewish Organizations, 1955
193Illinois Tutoring Conference, 1965
194Chicago Joint Defense Appeal, 1955-1957
195Chicago Conference on Race and Religion, 1963


Series VI. American Jewish Committee-Part II

BoxFolder
20196American Jewish Committee - Leaflets, 1950
197American Jewish Committee, 1951
BoxFolder
21198American Jewish Committee - 58th Annual Meeting, 1961-1965
199American Jewish Committee, 1963
200American Jewish Committee, 1973-1975
201American Jewish Committee, 1964-1975
202American Jewish Committee, 1947-1948
203American Jewish Committee, 1951-1952
204American Jewish Committee, 1959-1969
205American Jewish Committee - Annual Meeting, 1973
BoxFolder
22206American Jewish Committee - Chicago Chapter, 1947-1960
207American Jewish Committee - Chicago Chapter, 1959-1960
208American Jewish Committee - Chicago Chapter, 1965-1967
209American Jewish Committee, 1951-1974
210American Jewish Committee - Joint Defense Appeal, 1954-1962
211American Jewish Committee - National Conference on Race and Religion, 1962
BoxFolder
23212American Jewish Committee - Community Relations Council, 1951-1954
213American Jewish Committee - Philadelphia Chapter Meeting, 1958
214American Jewish Committee, 1956-1957
215American Jewish Committee, 1958
216American Jewish Committee - Other Chapter Visits, 1953-1956
217American Jewish Committee, 1944-1947
218American Jewish Committee - Community Affairs Committee, 1956-1957
219American Jewish Committee - Community Affairs Committee, 1955-1956
BoxFolder
24220American Jewish Committee, 1958
221American Jewish Committee - Community Affairs Committee, 1956-1958
222American Jewish Committee - Community Affairs Committee, 1957-1958
223American Jewish Committee - Subcommittee on Field Services, 1954-1955
224American Jewish Committee - Speech Drafts, undated
225American Jewish Committee - Executive Board Meeting, 1956
226American Jewish Committee - Community Affairs Committee, 1954-1955
BoxFolder
25227American Jewish Committee -50th Anniversary, 1957
228American Jewish Committee, 1959-1964
229American Jewish Committee - MacIver Report, 1951-1952
230American Jewish Committee - Community Affairs Committee, 1954-1955
231American Jewish Committee - Middle East, 1954-1957
232American Jewish Committee - Segregation, 1957
BoxFolder
26233American Jewish Committee, 1970
234American Jewish Committee - Various Committees, 1950-1956
235American Jewish Committee - Administrative Board, 1964
236American Jewish Committee - Chicago, Chapter, 1957-1958
237American Jewish Committee, 1957