Collection

Block, Gilbert (Sadie, Sadie the Rabbi Lady) Papers

Span Dates: 1972-2001
Bulk Dates:
Volume: 5.1 lf

Description

The collection contains correspondence; writings; newsclippings; publicity materials; ephemera; subject files; photographs and slides; audiovisual material; and costumes. The bulk of the collection concerns Block's activism and performances with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as Sister Sadie, including the 1987 Papal Welcoming Committee and the Power to the People campaign against PG&E; there are also copies of the Sisters' internal newsletter, "Epistles." In addition, there are materials related to Block's campaign for the Concord, California City Council; the New Stonewall Liberation Day Parade and Celebration; and Block's dispute with Gilbert Baker.

Hist/Bio Note

Gilbert Block (1944-2010), one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who was also known as Sister Sadie, Sadie, the Rabbi Lady. Block achieved notoriety for outrageous street theater as one of the Sisters. He described this era in his book, "Confessions of a Jewish Nun," (Fog City Press, 2000).

Finding Aid

A finding aid is available at the archives of the GLBT Historical Society library. A short description of the collection is available by using the search box at the following web address.
https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8dn4bxj/

Location

The collection is held at the GLBT Historical Society of Northern California (San Francisco, CA).
https://www.glbthistory.org/

Tags

Jewish (ethnic, Reform, Reconstructionist, Orthodox) | Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence