Overview of the Collection
Western Reserve Historical Society
Goodman Family
Henry J. Goodman Papers
2.01 linear feet (3 containers, including 2 record storage boxes and one oversized folder)
Henry J. Goodman (1932-2019) was a successful businessman and community leader active in several organizations, including the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, the Cleveland Foundation, and Cleveland State University. This collection consists of agendas, awards, a book, certificates, correspondence, diplomas, memoranda, newspaper clippings, photographs, programs, reports, and speeches.
MS 5497
The records are in English
closed stacks1951-2020
Biography of Henry J. GoodmanHenry J. Goodman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 17, 1932, to Eugene and Beatrice Goodman. Goodman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Case Western Reserve University and then served in the United States Air Force National Guard where he earned the rank of Colonel. Goodman married Lois Klein and had two sons Stephen and Bruce. Goodman began his career working for his family's company, J.L. Goodman Furniture Company (opened in 1886 and closed in 1993). In addition to his career as Board chair for H. Goodman Inc. and White Dove Mattress, Goodman was also Board Chair of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, United Way Services, and Cleveland State University. He was also a Board member for National City Bank, Vice Chair of the Board for the Cleveland Foundation and Chair for a Federation subcommittee that focused on the resettlement of Soviet Jewry. Goodman also served on the Board of Trustees at Cleveland State University from 1985 to 1994. Goodman was an active member of The Temple-Tifereth Israel, the Oakwood Club, the Pepper Pike Club, and the Union Club.
Scope and ContentMS 5497 Henry J. Goodman Papers 1951-2020 and undated consists of agendas, awards, a book, certificates, correspondence, diplomas, memoranda, newspaper clippings, photographs, programs, reports, and speeches. The collection is of special interest to those studying the history of the Goodman family, the J. L. Goodman Company, and the Jewish Community Federation. Goodman's involvement in local philanthropic work will be of interest to those working on community and neighborhood development, while those interested in nonprofit leadership will find much of interest in the speeches. The collection will also be of interest to those looking for information on Jewish communal leadership in the mid to late twentieth century.
Statement of ArrangementThis collection is arranged in two series. Series I: Henry Goodman Papers is arranged alphabetically by document type and then chronologically. Series II: Jewish Community Federation is arranged alphabetically by title of document.
Processing InformationProcessed by Alan Gross, Sean Martin, and Cara Yacovone, 2022.
Restrictions on AccessAccess to Series II: Jewish Community Federation is restricted to researchers approved both by WRHS and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. For access, consult WRHS Associate Curator for Jewish History.
Preferred Citation[Container__, Folder__,] MS 5497 Henry Goodman Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio.
Acquisition InformationGift of Lois Goodman, 2020.
Indexing TermsThe following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects:Goodman, HenryJews -- Ohio -- ClevelandPhilanthropists -- Ohio -- ClevelandBusinesspeople -- Ohio -- ClevelandJewish Community Federation (Cleveland, Ohio)Jewish businesspeople -- Ohio -- ClevelandDetailed Description of The CollectionSeries I: Henry Goodman Papers1930s-202011Agenda, Cleveland State University, Advisory Commission to the Board of Trustees on NCAA Athletics, Notice of Appeal includedMay 26, 198812Awards, including Goodman University Endowment Fundundated13Book, Commemorative album on the construction and opening of the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations, note to Henry Goodman from Barbara R. Snyder200814Certificate, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, initiation of Henry J. GoodmanMarch 25, 195115Certificates, of service United States Air Force for Henry Goodman, Honorable discharge from US Air Force for Henry Goodman, appointing Henry J. Goodman to 2nd Lieutenant of the US Air Force ReservesMarch 1, 1955-February 28, 1957, September 30, 1962, and September 15, 195416Classification Card, Selective Service System, Henry J. GoodmanNovember 17, 196717Correspondence, regarding Conference on Human Needs, from Golda MeirApril 14, 196918Correspondence, general1990-199319Diploma, Bachelor of Arts, Western Reserve UniversitySeptember 14, 1954110Diploma, Honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters, Cleveland State University (original material removed to Oversized Folder 1)December 14, 2008111Eulogy, for Henry Goodman by sons Bruce and Steve, with guest book with signatures and CD (original material removed to Box 2)2019112Interviews, with Henry Goodman, on CDJune-October, 2014113Magazine, The Interlink, Cleveland State University College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Spring 2020, p. 11, article on tribute concert to Henry Goodman2020114Memorandum, to presidents of local beneficiary agencies from Richard Ronis, Associate Director on Budget Requests for 1980/1981December 12, 1979115Memoir, "Try Something Different" by Henry Goodmanundated116Newspaper clippings1965-2019117Photographs, Steve Hoffman and Henry Goodman, and unidentifiedundated118Photograph album, Cleveland State University commencement2008?119Programs, events in honor of Henry Goodman, including Cleveland State University commencement1988-2020120Report, Budget, National and Overseas Agencies1979121Report, Lampl Leadership Development CourseJanuary 7, 1979122Report, Budget Committee to Board of Trustees of Jewish Community FederationJune 27, 1979123Report, Cleveland's Task Force on Services to Young Adults, Jewish Community Federation1994124Reports, J. L. Goodman Company1983125Report, Human Services Management, Case Western Reserve University1982126Report, Health and Human Service Levy Advisory CommitteeFebruary 14, 1986127Report, Center for Urban Poverty and Social Change, re Cleveland area neighborhoodsJanuary 1990128Report, Cleveland Community Building Initiative1992129Report, Funds for Refugee Resettlement, re Soviet Jewsundated130Report, Neighborhood Leadership Development Program Graduate Factbook Sheetundated131Report, Reflections on the Two Hospital Proposal of Mt. Sinai Hospital, by Jordan C. Bandundated132Speech, "The Essence of Leadership"September 20, 1966133Speech, Remarks given by Henry J. Goodman, re fundraisingFebruary 8, 1967134Speech, "Young Leadership Looks at the Future of the Jewish Community", 38th General Assembly, Council of Jewish Federation and Welfare Funds, BostonNovember 13, 1969135Speech, untitled, MontrealMay 7, 1970136Speech, "The Campus of the 70's versus the Campus of the 60's: Implications for Federation's Service"November 11, 1976137Speech, "Serving Youth through Regional Arrangements: The Cleveland Model", 1980 General Assembly of Council of Jewish FederationsNovember 11, 1980138Speech, "Blueprint for the Future", Annual Meeting of Jewish Community Federation of ClevelandDecember 8, 1985139Speech, inauguration of Cleveland State University President John Flower1989140Speech, UWS Commission (unidentified, possibly United Way)1994141Summary, of conversation with Henry Goodman, President, the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, by Judith Lang1985?Series II: Jewish Community Federation1982-1985211982-1985 Committee Meetings and Important Papers1982-1985221983/84 Committee Appointments, Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland1983-1984231984 Committee Appointments, Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland198424Diary of Presidency Commencing Dec. 10, 1982 and Ending Dec. 12, 1985December 10, 1982-December 12, 198525Pres., 1982-1985, Meetings, 1. Officers, Meetings; 2. Exec. Comm., Meetings; 3. Bd of Trustees Meetings1982-1985