Ida Eckstein's Diary
Scope and Contents
Ida Eckstein (1923-2010), later Leibowitz, grew up in Brooklyn and was sixteen when she wrote this diary in 1939. She recounted her daily activities like going to the movies with her friends and difficulties in school. She had a strong religious background and discussed going to “mittle schule” (Jewish Sunday School) every week where she learned Yiddish. Ida grew up in a leftist environment. She attended Camp Kinderland (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), a socialist Jewish summer camp and was invited to YCL (Young Communist League) events. She also celebrated the exoneration of socialist labor leader Thomas Mooney.
Dates
- Creation: 1939
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.
Biographical / Historical
Ida Leibowitz (née Eckstein) (1923-2010) grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was an observant Jew who could read and speak Yiddish. In 1945, she married Leon (Label) Leibowitz (1920-2000) who served in World War II.
Thomas Mooney (1882-1942) was an American political activist and labor leader who was convicted of the San Francisco Preparedness Day Bombing in 1916 based on false evidence and perjured testimony. His exoneration and release from prison in 1939 was celebrated by leftists like Ida Eckstein.
From the 1880s until World War II, many American Jews were leftists, socialists, and communists. These were exemplified by the Yiddish-language daily newspaper the Forward, and strong Jewish workers unions. Many were members of communist organizations, like the Young Communists League (YCL) and attended socialist summer camps like Ida.
Extent
1 volume ; 15 cm x 9 cm x 1.5 cm
Language of Materials
English
Yiddish
Abstract
Ida Eckstein wrote this diary in 1939 in Brooklyn, N.Y. in which she reccounted her daily activities like going to the movies and spending time with friends. Her diary contains information about her Yiddish education and her ties to socialist circles.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The diary was purchased from Dubois Rare Books in 2016 and given as a gift to Lila Goldenberg.
Copyright Notice
Please inquire about copyright information.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Author
- Lila Goldenberg
- Date
- 2026-03-19
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)
inspc@lehigh.edu