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UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Preliminary Inventory of the
KAPPA BETA FRATERNITY
RECORDS, 1937-2007
(UA-800.012)

VOLUME: 1.5 cubic feet

ACQUISITION: The items in this manuscript group were donated to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, by Nahum Lewis ‘38, Rita Greenwald, Stephen Greenwald ‘40, Robert (Bob) Barron ‘52, Arnold Newman ‘56,‘57, Philip T. Coccia ‘66, Michael Bloom ‘67 and Michelle Miller.

ACCESS: Access to this record group is unrestricted.

COPYRIGHT: The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Organizational History

Scope and Content Note

Box and Folder List

Kappa Beta Fraternity Records
Organizational History

The fraternity was created in the academic year 1936-37 to provide an atmosphere where Jewish students at the then New York State College for Teachers could socialize and enjoy Kosher meals. Kappa Beta was deactivated during WW II when most of its members were drafted or volunteered for the service. It was reestablished in 1946 and its newly elected president, Paul Wagner ’48, pushed through an amendment to its constitution making KB non-sectarian. The fraternity continued to exist at the State University of New York at Albany until 1974 and alumni directories list one member as a graduate of the Class of 1980. Alumni of the fraternity held reunions until at least 2007.

Kappa Beta Fraternity Records
Scope and content note

An artificial collection of memorabilia and paper records including two histories of the fraternity (one by a founder, Nahum Lewis ‘38, and a second by Arnold Newman ’56), drinking mugs, membership lists, newsletters, photographs, and reunion programs. Included in the records are photos, programs and memorabilia from reunions from 1946 through 2007.

Kappa Beta Fraternity Records
Box and Folder List

return to table of contents

Box 1
Folder

Gift of Lewis, Nahum ’38

1. History of Kappa Beta Fraternity, 2001 by Nahum Lewis
2. Photographs, undated, [1940s or early 1950s]
3. Certificate of Invitation to membership in Kappa Beta of Saul Stephen Greenwald, May 1937
     -Greenwald was a charter member.
4. Kappa Beta Reunion, May 1952
5. Kappa Beta Personal Data (2 folders), August 1952
6. Kappa Beta Dinner and Dance, October 1952
7. Kappa Beta Banquet Dinner, May 1955
8. Kappa Beta Reunion, October 1970
9. Kappa Beta Reunion (2 folders), October 1976
10. Kappa Beta Diamond Jubilee, June-August 1977
11. Kappa Beta Correspondence with Alumni Association, 1977-1978
12. Kappa Beta Correspondence with Alumni Association June-July 1982
13. Kappa Beta University Reunion Documents, September 1981- June 1992
14. Kappa Beta Reunion (2 folders), October 1981
15. University at Albany Foundation Annual Report, 1995-1996
     -With Kappa Beta donors to annual fund circled.

Box 2
Folder

Gift of Greenwald, Stephen ’40,

1. Kappa Beta Fraternity List, October 1976

Gift of Rita wife of Greenwald, Stephen ’40,

2. Kappa Beta at Tavern on the Green Photograph, 1952
3. Kappa Beta Shield (leather), undated
4. Kappa Beta Armband, 60th reunion, 1937-1997

Gift of Newman, Arnold ’56, ‘57

5. Kappa Beta Directory 1960-1961
6. Kappa Beta Newsletter, May 1954-June 1956
7. Kappa Beta Memorial Fund, 1997
8. Kappa Beta Reunion Newsletter, June 1997
9. Kappa Beta Reunion Photographs, June 2002
10. Kappa Beta 65th Anniversary Weekend Program, June 2002
11. Kappa Beta Reunion list of Brothers 1938-1980, June 2002
12. Kappa Beta Mardi Gras Ball Program, February 1956
13. Kappa Beta Reunion Dinner Photograph, May 1946
14. Kappa Beta Pledge Paddle (loose-not in box)
15. B’nai Chaim, Brothers for Life: A Personal, Anecdotal History of Kappa Beta Fraternity, 1937-1974, by Arnold Newman
16. Kappa Beta Memorabilia
17. Kappa Beta 70th Reunion gift (white tile with Kappa Beta shield, motto, and “1937-2007” date)

Gift of Philip T. Coccia ‘66

18.Kappa Beta Reunion cocktail napkin, 2002

Box 3
Folder

Gift of Robert (Bob) Barron ‘52

1. Reunion files, 1962, 1992-2002
     -Includes 1960-61 Kappa Beta Alumni Directory, annual Kappa Beta Newsletters, 1957-60, and the Initiation Certificate for Robert Barron, ‘52
2. Photo album, 65th and 70th reunions, 2002 and 2007

Box 4
Folder

Gift of Bloom, Michael ‘67 and Miller, Michelle

1. Kappa Beta Spring Weekend ‘65 Brown Jug

Gift of Arnold Newman ’56, ‘57

2. Kappa Beta Beer Stein with “ARNIE, 1956”
3. Kappa Beta 20th Anniversary Beer Stein, 1957

Box 5
Folder

Gift of Arnold Newman ’56, ‘57

1. 60th Reunion cap, 1997
2. 65th Reunion caps (2), 2002