The Martin Begun Collection Finding Aid BEG

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on November 01, 2018. English Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Baruch College Archives, William and Anita Newman Library Digital Initiatives Librarian, 1 Bernard Baruch Way , NY 10010 [email protected] URL: http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/library/alumni/archives.html The Martin Begun Collection Finding Aid BEG

Table of Contents

Summary Information ...... 3 Biographical ...... 3 Scope and Content Note ...... 4 Arrangement ...... 5 Administrative Information ...... 5 Related Materials ...... 6 Controlled Access Headings ...... 6 Collection Inventory ...... 6 Series I: Photographs ...... 6 Series II: Scrapbooks ...... 8 Series III: Subject/Working Files ...... 9 Series IV: Awards/Certificates ...... 10 Series V: Artifacts ...... 11 Series VI: Books ...... 12

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Summary Information

Repository: Baruch College Archives, William and Anita Newman Library Creator: Begun, Martin Stanley, 1932-2016 Title: The Martin Begun Collection ID: BEG Date [inclusive]: 1932-2012 Physical Description: 7.5 Cubic Feet Language of the English Material: Language of the English Material: Abstract: This collection documents the activities of Martin Stanley Begun, long time Dean of New York University’s School of Medicine, a power broker and active member of the Liberal and Democratic Party in local politics, an active leader in the Jewish Community Relations Council, and advocate for the mentally ill and homeless. This collection includes photographs, scrapbooks, awards and certificates, artifacts, correspondence, and subject/working files detailing his professional and political career. Preferred Citation

The Martin Begun Collection, Baruch College Archives, The William and Anita Newman Library.

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Biographical

Martin Stanley Begun was born in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City on June 19, 1932 to Isadore Begun (born 1905 in New York and employed as a lawyer) and Judith Begun (born 1912 in Estonia). He acquired his BA in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1953 and went on to receive his MA in Public Law and Government from Columbia University in 1955. Shortly after completing his education at Columbia, he served active military duty in the 42nd Infantry Division of

- Page 3- The Martin Begun Collection Finding Aid BEG the Army National Guard in Seoul, Korea, from 1957-1960. In 1958, he was awarded a Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Army.

Coinciding with Begun’s military service, he was appointed as Instructor of Political Science with the University of Maryland Overseas Division for the Far East in the late 1950s and held a Lecturer position briefly from 1961-1962 at Baruch College before starting his lasting career at New York University’s School of Medicine in 1963 as an administrator and professor, retiring as Senior Associate Dean and Vice President of External Affairs in 1997. During his tenure at NYU, he was a strong advocate on behalf of the homeless and mentally ill during a time when they were overlooked by the medical community, and wrote an article in 1985 entitled “Crossroads for the Mentally Ill Homeless.”

He was also active in New York City politics under the Liberal and Democratic parties and ran unsuccessfully for Edward Koch’s seat in Congress in 1978 after Koch became Mayor. He served as chairman of the Community Services Board of the city’s Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services from 1974-1994, along with many other civic and community service appointments. A longtime leader of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, he maintained ties with leading federal, state and city officials, from Vice President Hubert Humphrey to Governors Nelson Rockefeller and and Mayors Robert F. Wagner Jr., Abraham Beame, and Edward Koch. In his work with the Liberal Party, he nominated Hillary Clinton for New York Senator on June 3, 2000 describing her as “a candidate who is the spiritual and political descendent of Eleanor Roosevelt… whose cares and concerns demonstrate a total commitment to education, universal health care, and the equal protection of rights for all citizens.”

In 1997, Martin Begun married Louise M. Sunshine, founder and former president of the real estate and marketing company, the Sunshine Group (later known as Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group). Sunshine made her name in real estate during her fifteen year career as executive vice president of the Trump Organization from 1973-1988.

Begun passed away in 2016.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection documents the activities of Martin Stanley Begun, long time Dean of New York University’s School of Medicine, a power broker and active member of the Liberal and Democratic Party in local New York City politics, an active leader in the Jewish Community Relations Council, and advocate for the mentally ill and homeless.

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Arrangement

The collection is arranged into six series: I. Photographs; II. Scrapbooks; III. Subject/Working Files; IV. Awards/Certificates, V. Artifacts; VI. Books. The contents of each series are arranged alphabetically, except series V, which does not have an arrangement.

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Administrative Information

Publication Statement Baruch College Archives, William and Anita Newman Library

Digital Initiatives Librarian, Baruch College 1 Bernard Baruch Way New York, NY 10010 [email protected] URL: http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/library/alumni/archives.html

Provenance This collection was donated to Baruch College in 2016.

Repository Information Baruch College Archives, William and Anita Newman Library. 151 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010. (646) 312-1623.

Processing Information This collection was processed by Steven Calco December 2017.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Materials Researchers interested in this archive may also wish to consult the following resources:

Robert F. Wagner Jr. Papers, New York City Department of Records

Abraham D. Beame Papers, New York City Department of Records

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Controlled Access Headings

• Municipal government • New York (inhabited place) • Jewish councils • New York (N.Y.)--Politics and government--1951- • Begun, Martin Stanley, 1932-2016

Collection Inventory

Series I: Photographs, 1968-2012 Scope and Content Note

This series contains several hundred photographs of Martin Begun with political, religious, and community leaders including Hillary Clinton, Pope John Paul II, Mayor Abraham Beame, Mayor , Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr., Mayor Edward Koch, Mayor , Mayor , Governor , Governor George Pataki, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Vice President Al Gore; as well as several personal photographs from his wedding reception and family vacations. Photographs in this series that were framed or housed in photo albums were removed from their enclosures to ensure their preservation.

Title/Description Instances Begun and Louise Sunshine vacation photo album to Italy, Paris box 1 folder 1 and River Stone Farm, 1997-1998

Begun and Louise Sunshine vacation photo album to Paris and box 1 folder 2 River Stone Farm, 1998-1999

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Begun and Louise Sunshine wedding album including Donald box 1 folder 3 Trump, Marla Maples, Tiffany Trump, Mario Cuomo, Mayor Koch, and Harrison Golden, 1997

Begun Campaign for Congress, 1978 box 1 folder 4

Begun headshots, undated box 1 folder 5

Begun with Bill Green, Vaughn C. Williams, Nicole A Gordon, box 1 folder 6 Oversize 1 James I. Lewis, and Joseph A O'Hare, undated

Begun with Councilman Peter Vallone and unidentified, undated box 1 folder 7

Begun with Councilman Peter Vallone at the Holocaust Memorial box 1 folder 8 Groundbreaking, 1993-10-10

Begun with Governor George Pataki and unidentified, undated box 1 folder 9

Begun with Governor George Pataki, Libby Pataki, Mayor box 1 folder 10 Oversize 1 , and unidentified at New York State's Celebration of Jerusalem 3000, Battery City Park (signed by Pataki), 1996-05-07

Begun with Honorable Alejandro Rojas Marcos Breakfast box 1 folder 11 Meeting, The University Club at NYU Medical Center photo album, 1990-10-11

Begun with Jehan Sedat (signed), 1987-03-09 box 1 folder 12

Begun with Mayor Abraham Beame, 1990s box 1 folder 13

Begun with Mayor Abraham Beame and Congressman Ed Koch box 1 folder 14 during Begun's run for Congress, 1978

Begun with Mayor Abraham Beame and Mayor Robert F. Wagner box 1 folder 15 Jr. at the Warwick Hotel, 1978-01-06

Begun with Mayor Abraham Beame and Vice President Walter box 2 folder 1 Mondale, and David Rockefeller, 1977

Begun with Mayor Abraham Beame at NYU commencement, box 2 folder 2 1976

Begun with Mayor Abraham Beame taking the Oath of Office box 2 folder 3 for the Board of Commissioners Department of Mental Health, 1974-11-08

Begun with Mayor David Dinkins and unidentified, 1990s box 2 folder 4

Begun with Mayor Ed Koch, undated box 2 folder 5

Begun with Mayor Ed Koch and Mayor Michael Bloomberg at box 2 folder 6 Gracie Mansion, 2012-12-12

Begun with Mayor Ed Koch and Mayor Michael Bloomberg at box 2 folder 7 Gracie Mansion (signed), 2004-12-09

Begun with Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. and unidentified, 1968 box 2 folder 8

Begun with Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. (signed), undated box 2 folder 9

Begun with Mayor , 1996-05-08 box 2 folder 10

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Begun with Pope John Paul II (2 copies), 1995-10-07 box 2 folder 11 Oversize 1

Begun with Rabbi Solomon Halberstam, the Grand Rabbi of box 2 folder 12 Oversize 1 Bobov, 1983

Begun with Senator Hilary Clinton, 2002 box 2 folder 13

Begun with unidentified associations at the City Club Dinner, box 2 folder 14 1973-07-03

Begun with Vice President Al Gore, 1992 box 2 folder 15

Begun with Vice President Dan Quayle (signed), 1993-04-03 box 2 folder 16

Begun with Vice President Humbert Humphrey (signed), circa box 2 folder 17 Oversize 1 1968

Jewish Community Relations Council Events, 1995 box 2 folder 18

Jewish Community Relations Council Events - Benjamin box 2 folder 19 Netanyahu, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 1996-07-11

Jewish Community Relations Council Events - Installation of box 2 folder 20 Oversize 2 Officers with Daniel Patrick Moynihan photo album, 1996-10-21

Jewish Community Relations Council Events - "Victims of box 2 folder 21 Terror" with Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 1997-07

Miscellaneous images, undated box 2 folder 22

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Series II: Scrapbooks, 1965-1997 Scope and Content Note

This series contains seven scrapbooks including photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, articles, correspondence, and ephemeral materials revolving around Begun’s political life, role in the Jewish community, and personal life; also includes signed correspondence with New York City mayors, politicians, and community leaders. These scrapbooks were removed from their enclosures to ensure their preservation.

Title/Description Instances American Jewish Congress scrapbook, including Horace M. box 2 folder 23 Kallen Distinguished Community Service Award to Begun October 8, 1982, 1970s-1990s

Begun's 65th birthday scrapbook, 1997 box 3 folder 1

Begun's Run for Congress scrapbook, 1977-1978 box 3 folder 2

Begun's Run for Democratic Reform Leader and political box 3 folder 3 scrapbook, 1970s

Community Service Award and miscellaneous scrapbook, box 3 folder 4 1965-1987

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Community Service Award and miscellaneous scrapbook, box 3 folder 5 1984-1990

Mental Hygiene Award and miscellaneous scrapbook, box 3 folder 6 1980s-1990s

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Series III: Subject/Working Files, 1960-2007 Scope and Content Note

This series contains two boxes of manuscript materials on Mr. Begun’s work with the Jewish Community Relations Council, political leaders, his work on Comptroller Abe Beame’s Health Task Force in 1973, his civic and community appointments, and includes signed correspondence with New York City mayors, politicians, and community leaders.

Title/Description Instances American Cancer Society, 1992 box 4 folder 1

Battery Park City Authority, 1991-1999 box 4 folder 2

Biographical materials and CV, 2000s box 4 folder 3

Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity brochure, 1992 box 4 folder 4

Ellis Island Medals of Honor Gala, 1996-05-19 box 4 folder 5

Hon. Abraham Beame Health Task Force Report, 1973-1974 box 4 folder 6

Institute of International Education (IIE), 1960-1962 box 4 folder 7

Institute of International Education (IIE) - Confidential Report box 4 folder 8 on the Possible Exchanges with the People's Republic of China, 1960-11-01

Institute of International Education (IIE) - Democratic Committee box 4 folder 9 New York County on the Constitutional Convention Report, 1966

Israel Bonds Tribute Dinner, 1979 box 4 folder 10

Israel Palestine Agreement Booklet and Correspondence, box 4 folder 11 1993-1994

Jewish Community Relations Council - Benjamin Netanyahu box 4 folder 12 event, 1996-07-11

Jewish Community Relations Council - Correspondence (1 of 2), box 4 folder 13 1995-1996

Jewish Community Relations Council - Correspondence (2 of 2), box 4 folder 14 1997-1998

Jewish Community Relations Council - Event Programs, box 5 folder 1 1995-1998

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Jewish Community Relations Council - Mayor Rudy Giuliani trip box 5 folder 2 to Israel , 1996

Jewish Community Relations Council - Minutes, 1995-1997 box 5 folder 3

Jewish Community Relations Council - Press clippings, box 5 folder 4 1992-1998

Lennox Hill Democratic Club Program Honors Martin S. Begun, box 5 folder 5 1996-03-21

Museum of Jewish Heritage, 1991-09 box 5 folder 6

New York City Community Services Board, 1991-1998 box 5 folder 7

New York City Department of Mental Health, 1978-2001 box 5 folder 8

New York City Department of Mental Health Resignation, 1994 box 5 folder 9

New York City Economic Development Corporation, 2003-2007 box 5 folder 10

New York City Mental Health Services Council, 1986-1999 box 5 folder 11

New York State Hospital Planning Society, 1999-2001 box 5 folder 12

Plaza 400, 1986 box 5 folder 13

Political Appointments, Democratic Liberal Party correspondence, box 5 folder 14 1960s-2000

Political Invitations and correspondence, 1950s-1990s box 5 folder 15

Tel Aviv University honorary degree, 1979 box 5 folder 16

United Nations, 1963-1991 box 5 folder 17

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Series IV: Awards/Certificates, 1974-2008 Scope and Content Note

This series contains several proclamations, awards, certificates of appreciation and recognition, and records of civic and community appointments to the New York City Department of Mental Health, Battery Park City Authority, Jewish Community Relations Council, and others. Many of these certificates were removed from their enclosures to ensure their preservation.

Title/Description Instances American Jewish Congress, Horace M. Kallen Distinguished box 6 Item 1 Community Service Award, 1982-10-08

Battery Park City Authority The New Stuyvesant School box 6 Item 2 Oversize 3 Dedication, 1993-05

Battery Park City Authority Member Badge, undated box 6 Item 3 Oversize 3

Battery Park City Authority South Park and Esplanade Dedication, box 6 Item 4 Oversize 3 1994-09 - Page 10- The Martin Begun Collection Finding Aid BEG

Baruch School of Public Affairs Glass Apple Award, undated box 6 Item 5 Oversize 3

Chairman New York City Mental Health Board Medallion, box 6 Item 6 Oversize 4 undated

Certificates of Appreciation and Recognition, 1982-1997 box 6 Item 7

Citations presented by New York State, 1984-2002 box 6 Item 8

Comunilife Community Service award, 2005-10-26 box 6 Item 9 Oversize 3

Council of Jewish Organizations, Community Service Award, box 6 Item 10 1996-10-27

International Committee Against Mental Illness Award, box 7 Item 1 1988-01-25

Jewish Community Relations Council Plaque, undated box 7 Item 2

Mayor Appointment Certificates, 1974-1993 box 7 Item 3

Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty Communal Award, box 7 Item 4 Oversize 4 2001-06-10

Museum of Jewish Heritage groundbreaking Medallion, box 7 Item 5 Oversize 3 1994-10-16

New York City Community Services Board Chairman award, box 7 Item 6 Oversize 3 1994-11-10

New York City Department of Mental Health Recognition, box 7 Item 7 Artwork by Ethel Jaret, Seaport Manor, 1985-05-29

New York City Department of Mental Health Recognition, box 7 Item 8 Artwork "Cat" by Helen Wert, 1988-06-13

New York City Mental Hygiene Services Board Chairman badge, box 7 Item 9 Oversize 3 undated

New York State Police Certificate of Appreciation, 1989-11 box 7 Item 10

Proclamations, 1994-2008 box 7 Item 11

Stanley M. Isaacs Human Relations Award, 2001-05-21 box 7 Item 12

State of Israel Bonds plaque, 1979-02-28 box 7 Item 13

Village Reform Democratic Reform Club, Public Service Award box 7 Item 14 Plaque, 1992-05

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Series V: Artifacts, 1932-1997

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Scope and Content Note

This series contains artifacts such as Presidential Inaugural medals for Lyndon B. Johnson and William J. Clinton, 1 bound copy of from the day of Mr. Begun’s birth, and ephemera from Begun’s campaign for Congress.

Title/Description Instances Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Inaugural Medallion, 1965-01-20

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