Guide to the Records of Rabbinical School and Teachers’ Institute, Vilna, RG 24

Processed by Marek Web under a Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, 1980. Additionally processed and prepared for digitization by Yakov Sklar in 2016.

Processing, conservation, preparation for digitization and digitization of this collection was done as part of the Edward Blank YIVO Vilna Collections Project, with the assistance of grants from the Edward Blank Family Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the Conference for Jewish Material Claims against Germany, the Kronhill Pletka Foundation and the Ruth and David Levine Charitable Fund, and anonymous supporters.

Note to researchers: This collection is currently closed in preparation for the Edward Blank YIVO Vilna Collections Project.

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011
Email: archives@yivo.cjh.org
URL: http://www.yivo.org

Electronic finding aid was converted to EAD version 2002 by Yakov Sklyar in November 2006. EAD finding aid customized in ARCHON in 2012. Description is in English.

Collection Overview

Title: Guide to the Records of Rabbinical School and Teachers’ Institute, Vilna, RG 24

ID: RG 24 FA

Extent: 22.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

In 1980 the records were arranged and an inventory was prepared under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The records consist of correspondence, reports, memoranda, financial records, printed materials, diplomas, certificates relating to all aspects of the schools’ activities.

The Rabbinical School and Teachers’ Institute's records were maintained in a manner similar to all records generated by the Russian tsarist bureaucracy. The pages were bound, sewn together, titled, described by the school registrar and deposited in the school archives. Their arrangement in the original archives was chronological.

When the collection was arranged in 1980, it was decided not to cut open the volumes which had been bound, and to keep the records, as much as possible, in the order in which they had been generated by the school administration. The basis for the present arrangement is therefore chronological. Sometimes variations in the chronological order occur.

An original inventory of the records compiled at the Teachers’ Institute in 1914, and covering the time period 1847-1914, was received by the YIVO Institute in Vilna at the time when the records were transferred to the YIVO Archives. However, not all records described therein are in the present collection. A large portion of the archive remains in Vilna and is deposited at the Central Historical Archives of Lithuania.

Abstract

The Rabbinical School and Teachers’ Seminary in Vilna was one of two Jewish state schools established in the Russian Empire in 1847 to train state appointed (kazionnye) rabbis and teachers for Jewish elementary state schools in the Pale of Settlement. The purpose of these schools was to undermine and replace the traditional kheyder system of education. The other such school was in Zhitomir. The state schools were unpopular because of their assimilationist policies. The Vilna Rabbinical School was closed in 1873, but the Teachers' Seminary remained in existence until 1914.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection is divided in two series:

1) Records of the Rabbinical School, 1847-1873. Administrative records include correspondence with Curator of the Vilna School District, Governor General of Vilna, Ministry of Education, St. Petersburg. Correspondence relates to the following topics: courses; appointment of teachers; school finances; teachers' affairs. Other records include financial reports, minutes of the Pedagogical Council. Files of students and teachers, lists of textbooks examination records. lists of towns and firms paying taxes for the support of the school, 1854-1855 materials relating to the closing of the Rabbinical School.

2) Records of the Teachers' Seminary (through 1914). Correspondence with the Ministry of Education, the Vilna School District. Materials relating to the candle taxes, 1874. Financial records. Hiring of teachers and officials. Teachers' record books. Student affairs. Graduation certificates. Curricula, reports. List of students. Book of student grades. Reports on school work. Lists of permitted and prohibited books. Examination lists.

Historical Note

In 1844, as part of a plan to undermine the kheyder system of education, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia passed a decree establishing state schools for Jewish children. Two types of schools were organized: a class I schools with a two-year program and a class II schools with a three and four-year program.

In 1847 the Rabbinical Schools of Vilna and Zhitomir were founded, as part of the educational reforms. The school in Vilna consisted of two divisions: a) a pedagogical section which trained teachers for Jewish state schools, b) a Rabbinical section which prepared state Rabbis.

The Rabbinical school offered a 4 year course on the secondary or “gymnasium” level. The director of the school was a Christian, but the supervisor for Jewish religious subjects was Jewish.

A percentage of the Jewish candle and meat tax was used for the financial upkeep of the schools. Rabbinical students enjoyed certain benefits, such as exemption from military service and from some taxes.

Because of the assimilationist policies these state schools were not favorably viewed by the Jewish population, and the Rabbinical school was not popular. In 1873 it was closed and only the pedagogical division continued its work. The Teachers’ Institute offered a four-year course to prepare teachers for service in the Jewish state elementary schools. It was staffed entirely by Christians except for the mathematics teacher and the teachers for Jewish subjects. The Teachers’ Institute was closed in 1914.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions:

Note to researchers: This collection is currently closed in preparation for the YIVO Vilna Collections Project and will reopen by December 2016.

Open to researchers by appointment with the Chief Archivist, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011. email: archives@yivo.cjh.org

Related Materials: Related records in the YIVO Archives are Records of the Vilna School District which pertain to the Jewish state schools in the Russian empire (Record Group 48).

Preferred Citation: Published citations should read as follows:Identification of item, date (if known); YIVO Archives; Records of the Rabbinical School and Teachers’ Institute, Vilna; RG 24; folder number.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

Series 1: Series I: Records of the Rabbinical School, 1847-1873,
Series 2: Series II: Records of the Teachers' Institute, 1847-1914,
All

Series I: Records of the Rabbinical School 1847-1873

Administrative records include correspondence with Curator of the Vilna School District, Governor General of Vilna, Ministry of Education, St. Petersburg. Correspondence relates to the following topics: courses; appointment of teachers; school finances; teachers' affairs. Other records include financial reports, minutes of the Pedagogical Council. Files of students and teachers, lists of textbooks examination records. lists of towns and firms paying taxes for the support of the school, 1854-1855 materials relating to the closing of the Rabbinical School.

Folder 1: Original inventory of the records of the Rabbinical School and Teachers’ Institute, probably compiled at the Teachers’ Institute 1914
Folder 2: Financial reports 1847-1848
Folder 3: Correspondence relating to the opening of three preparatory courses, appointment of teachers, drafting of budgets 1847-1848
Folder 4: Copies of the decree of the curator by the White Russian School District of 1847; program of examinations in the preparatory classes 1847
Folder 5: Correspondence relating to official seal of the school, binding of bookkeeping books 1847-1848
Folder 6: A request to the director to organize a curriculum of Jewish studies for private Jewish girls’ schools 1849
Folder 7: List of students, officials and teachers; curriculum and timetable 1847-1848
Folder 8: Bound document relating to: supervisor of the Vilna Yiddish printing shop owned by the Jew Ronim, 1849; graduation certificates, 1849; health certificates issued by the Vilna Rabbi Israel Gordon for applicants to the preparatory classes, 1849; annual financial reports 1848, 1849
Folder 9: Records relating to complaint by the father of a student against a teacher; judicial inquiry concerning the teacher 1849
Folder 10: Correspondence relating to construction materials obtained for the Rabbinical School from the site of a house destroyed by flood 1849
Folder 11: Inquiry to the director of the school about inspector Gabovitch’s salary 1849
Folder 12: Documents about the opening of the third class. Includes budget and curriculum for all three classes 1849
Folder 13: Documents from the White Russian School District concerning the promotion of the administrative secretary of the school, Constantin Jablonsky to the directorship 1849
Folder 14: Official questionnaires containing biographical information about the school director, school doctor, school registrar and inspector 1849
Folder 15: Documents relating to the inventory taken of the school archives, classroom supplies, furniture, books, clothing and other items used by students 1849
Folder 16: Memorandum from the school director to the curator of the White Russian School District about awards for officials and teachers 1849
Folder 17: Correspondence between the director of the school and the curator of the White Russian School District about finances 1849
Folder 18: Request by Hirsch Shapiro for permission to take a teacher’s examination 1849
Folder 19: Documents relating to award for the school director for 25 years of faithful government service 1849
Folder 20: Questionnaires containing biographical data about school officials 1850
Folder 21 a: Correspondence about sacred books printed in Romm’s printing shop 1850
Folder 21 b: Teaching permits for kheyders and talmud torahs 1850
Folder 21 c: Questionnaires relating to school officials 1850
Folder 22: Correspondence relating to school finances 1850
Folder 23: Correspondence relating to awards for teachers and officials 1850
Folder 24: Confidential circular by the school curator about withdrawing from circulation a dictionary of foreign words published in 1845; circular from the director to the teachers to be on the lookout for anti-government ideas disseminated in higher educational institutions 1850
Folder 25: Documents about auctioning of second-hand linen and clothing used by the students 1850
Folder 26: Informational materials from the school curator to the school director of the Rabbinical School 1850
Folder 27: Request by inspector Stankiewicz for a pension in recognition of a military distinction for heroic service in 1814 1850
Folder 28: Announcement about the death of Inspector Rafael Radzicki; correspondence about pension for his widow 1850
Folder 29: Announcement about the death of Inspector Rafael Radzicki; correspondence about pension for his widow 1850
Folder 30: Correspondence about transfer of the Rabbinical School to a more suitable location 1851
Folder 31: Project to open special rabbinical and pedagogical courses, 1851; financial reports, 1851; reports by teachers (Jewish and Christian) 1851
Folder 32: Documents relating to an inventory taken of the archives, books and other government property 1851
Folder 33: Materials relating to transfer of two teachers to a higher category 1851
Folder 34: Questionnaires containing personal information about a number of school officials 1851
Folder 35: Order to inflict corporal punishment upon a student for fraud 1851-1852
Folder 36: Documents relating to the opening of special classes, both pedagogical, and rabbinical 1851
Folder 37: Correspondence relating to the widow of a distinguished school inspector 1851
Folder 38: Financial report 1851
Folder 39: Correspondence relating to purchase of utensils for the physics laboratory 1851
Folder 40: Correspondence relating to awards for officials and teachers 1851
Folder 41: Correspondence relating to awards for officials and teachers 1851
Folder 42: Materials relating to the opening of a 4th class: curricula and timetables for each subject; teachers’ opinions; minutes of the session of the Pedagogical Council; lists of textbooks; an order of Governor General 1850-1851
Folder 43: Death of Inspector Stankiewicz; petition from his widow for a pension 1851
Folder 44: Bound volume consisting of Wolf Tugenholds’ report about printed sacred books in Romm’s printing shop, 1852; statements of approval of candidates, 1852; official documents from the Military Governor General of Vilna. 1852; questionnaires containing personal information about school officials, 1852; inventories of stock 1852-1860
Folder 45: Bound volume consisting of Wolf Tugenhold’s programs for Jewish history and correspondence with the administrative office of the Governor General of Vilna, 1853; statements of approval of candidates, 1853, statements of Israel Ginsburg, rabbi of Vilna, 1853; statements of approval of candidates, 1853, statements of Israel Ginsburg, rabbi of Vilna, 1853; program of Jewish studies in the government schools, 1853; diplomas of teachers and students, 1853; questionnaires containing personal information about teachers and officials 1853
Folder 46: Printed circulars from the military Governor General of Vilna 1852-1853
Folder 47: Examination lists of the first class; lists of students, 1852-53. Announcement to the Vilna school curator confirming that the teachers mentioned in the enclosed list, the inspector, cantors and a barber-surgeon, belong to the educational category (in relation to the decree of 1851 dividing the Jewish population into 5 categories) 1852
Folder 48: Sermons delivered in the Antokol and other schools by Rabbi Luria, as well as preachers and students of the school in honor of the crowning of Nicholas I, birthday of Alexander II and other government personalities 1853-1854
Folder 49: Materials relating to inventory of school supplies 1852-1854
Folder 50: Two cash books for the year 1853; annual cash report 1853
Folder 51: Inquiries by the Vilna school district concerning awards 1852-1853
Folder 52: A collection of printed circulars by the Governor General of Vilna, some of which relate to Jewish matters 1852-1855
Folder 53: Correspondence and other materials relating to loans to school officials 1853
Folder 54: Materials relating to supplying boots to 50 students 1853
Folder 55: Materials relating to payments of salaries to school officials
Folder 56: Request by teacher Shlomo Zalkind to have his son Rafael released from the Odessa School of Horticulture in order to permit his entry to the Rabbinical School 1853
Folder 57: Correspondence relating to the grant of 100 rubles to the widow of the teacher Gurwitch 1852-1853
Folder 58: Materials relating to 3 year extension of Rabbinical School building lease 1853: Arrangement: Alphabetical by organization name.
Folder 59: Correspondence relating to the repayment of a debt of 35 rubles to the former director Waszkiewicz
Folder 60: Petition by students or their parents for permission to leave the school and for appropriate documents to be released 1854
Folder 61: Correspondence from the Ministry of Education relating to the Hebrew alphabet, a short Hebrew grammar, the religious book, “Khaye Odom”; school certificates for students and other materials 1854
Folder 62: Nomination of a new teacher of Mishna and Talmud 1854
Folder 63: Correspondence from the police relating to a sum of 105.28 rubles, which the school had received from a Mr. Friedberg, arrested for smuggling 1854
Folder 64: Documents relating to granting of awards to the officials and teachers of the school 1854
Folder 65: Cash reports; lists of towns and firms who pay taxes for the support of the school 1854, 1855
Folder 66: Records relating to forced induction of Jewish students into the army 1859
Folder 67: Correspondence relating to ill student 1854-1855
Folder 68: Loans to the Rabbinical School from the school district, for maintenance of the school 1855
Folder 69: Correspondence relating to individual teachers 1855, 1858
Folder 70: Request by the Vilna Governor General for a list of well-known Jewish books 1855-1856
Folder 71: Correspondence relating to stolen religious books 1855
Folder 72: Request by a student to give private lessons 1857
Folder 73: Correspondence relating to a medal for the school director 1858
Folder 74: Correspondence relating to former student who submitted false information in his application 1858
Folder 75: Certificate of graduation 1858
Folder 76: Materials relating to school visit by Alexander II 1858
Folder 77: Decrees, including one which permits hiring of a person sentenced to exile only 3 years after his return 1858
Folder 78: Request for a hospital administrative position made by a teacher in a state school in Vinitsa, rejection of the request 1858
Folder 79: Official announcement that Jews in government positions are exempted from participating in the population sencus 1858
Folder 81: Materials relating to the compilation of a handbook of sample sermons written by German reform rabbis 1858
Folder 82: Receipts for sums paid for printed matter 1858
Folder 83: Bound volume of documents including: curricula; timetables for various subjects; curriculum for a two-level girls school; various certificates issued to students 1858, 1863
Folder 84: Records relating to a new building for the school 1859
Folder 85: Request by the poet Michael Gordon for permission to take the teachers’ examination for Jewish government schools 1859
Folder 86: Six documents relating to personal matters of teachers and officials 1859
Folder 87: Ordinances relating to: school organization; Russian-Yiddish dictionary; auctions; teaching of Jewish history 1859
Folder 88: Annual financial report 1859
Folder 89: Correspondence and printed circulars relating to money to be collected by school as contribution to national Russian monument 1859, 1860
Folder 90: Materials including questionnaires relating to awards for teachers 1860
Folder 91: Circulars from the Vilna School District 1860
Folder 92: Report by the school director on the Jewish school system in the Vilna School District, 1860; school certificates; financial report 1860
Folder 93: Various documents concerning graduates of the school 1859-1860
Folder 94: Correspondence relating to a gift from the Crown Prince to a student for a poem composed in his honor 1859
Folder 95: Statistical materials relating to the school 1859
Folder 96: Correspondence relating to the appointment of the merchant Aaron Lebenson as honorable trustee of the school 1859
Folder 97: Acknowledgement of receipt of birth certificates for two teachers 1859
Folder 98: Examination list; diplomas 1859
Folder 99: Documents concerning money grants appropriated by school district for maintenance of school 1860
Folder 100: Decision of Pedagogical Council to distribute second-hand clothing to poor students 1860
Folder 101: Documents relating to granting of noble status to the sons of the inspector of the Jewish secondary school 1860
Folder 102: Records relating to loans for maintenance of the Jewish government schools 1860
Folder 103: Diplomas; lists of students; grades; teachers’ comments, 1861. Also an appeal by the teacher Zelverovitch to open a school for girls 1861
Folder 104: Bookkeeping forms 1861
Folder 105: Requests from graduates for permission to teach in the Jewish government schools; statements confirming permission 1861
Folder 106: Yearly financial report 1861-1862
Folder 107: Correspondence concerning a 200 ruble loan to be made to the Rabbinical School 1861
Folder 108: Records relating to salary raises and other budget matters 1861
Folder 109: Various documents concerning appointment of teachers in Jewish and Karaite government schools 1861
Folder 110: Documents relating to the closing of the Jewish government schools of the second class and their conversion into schools of the first class 1861
Folder 111: Documents relating to advancement of teachers and officials 1861
Folder 112: Records relating to: distribution of clothing among poor students, sale of old school furniture and books 1861
Folder 113: Correspondence relating to sending rabbinical graduates for apprenticeship period to the government appointed Rabbi Steinberg 1861
Folder 114: Records relating to placement of graduates as rabbis or teachers in Jewish schools 1861
Folder 115: Records relating to various matters, including stricter supervision of students to prevent spreading of underground revolutionary movement 1861
Folder 116: Correspondence relating to a scholarship fund contributed by the merchant Eliashberg on behalf of a poor student 1861
Folder 117: Correspondence relating to permission for private individuals to take the rabbinical examination, including the rabbi of Rasenai, Zalman Bender 1861
Folder 118: Records relating to a contract for the rental of a new building 1861
Folder 119: Records concerning examinations for graduates 1861
Folder 120: Materials relating to approval of a teacher 1861
Folder 121: Documents relating to examinations for final year students; requests by graduates for free tickets to Moscow and St. Petersburg 1863
Folder 122: Report of an inventory of the books at the Jewish Girls School and at the Rabbinical School 1863
Folder 123: Request to the Vilna School District concerning a loan of 2000 rubles 1863
Folder 124: Request to take teachers’ examination 1864
Folder 125: Records concerning amount to be granted to the widow of the teacher Klatshko 1864
Folder 126: Documents relating to students arrested for not carrying lanterns at night; their release because it was Friday night 1864
Folder 127: List of salaries; budget of the three Jewish government schools 1864
Folder 128: Documents concerning publication of Hebrew translation done by Epstein, of Ludwig Philipson’s historical novel 1864
Folder 129: Annual financial report 1864
Folder 130: Correspondence concerning granting of awards to certain teachers and officials 1864
Folder 131: Register of outgoing correspondence 1865
Folder 132: Correspondence concerning transfer of Director Pavloski to Zhitomir and his replacement 1865
Folder 133: Examination lists for academic school year; lists of students 1864-1865
Folder 134: Request for permit to teach Russian to Jewish children; official statements by rabbis; official documents 1865
Folder 135: Records relating to teachers 1865
Folder 136: Request by a group of rabbinical students for permission to transfer to the pedagogical course and then to the university 1865
Folder 137: Correspondence concerning students who give private lessons 1865
Folder 138: Records relating to candidates for government rabbinical positions; rabbinical diplomas 1865
Folder 139: Records relating to the Rabbinical School during the Polish Rebellion 1863-1865
Folder 140: Correspondence relating to collection of funds for a memorial in Vilna for victims of the 1863 Polish uprising 1865-1866
Folder 141: Reports from various types of schools for Jews; a summary report compiled by the administration of the Rabbinical School 1869
Folder 142: Correspondence about taking teacher’s examination by the rabbinical students 1869
Folder 143: Personal papers and graduation certificates; financial report 1869
Folder 144: Records relating to the punishment of a student for insulting a class supervisor 1869
Folder 145: Reproof of a school supervisor for improper action against a teacher 1869
Folder 146: Materials relating to students found playing cards by the class supervisor 1869
Folder 147: Materials relating to students leaving school without permission 1870
Folder 148: Materials relating to theft of students’ clothing 1870
Folder 149: Materials relating to payment of teachers for special services 1870
Folder 150: Announcements by the administration of the Vilna School District; information regarding teachers 1870
Folder 151: Permission for day students (including Aaron Lieberman) to take teacher’s examinations 1870
Folder 152: Printed matter and circulars from the Ministry of Education and the Vilna School District 1870-1873
Folder 153: Cash books relating to tuition payments 1872
Folder 154: Records relating to a reward of 100 rubles to the teacher Elye Trotzky. Also about teachers absent from work due to illness 1863-1872
Folder 155: Inventory of the physics laboratory equipment 1871-1875
Folder 156: Cash book 1873
Folder 157: Materials relating to changes in the director’s position 1873

Browse by Series:

Series 1: Series I: Records of the Rabbinical School, 1847-1873,
Series 2: Series II: Records of the Teachers' Institute, 1847-1914,
All