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A New York attorney originally based in Detroit. Abdeen Jabara is concerned with issues of the civil rights of Arab Americans, the effects of the September 11th terrorist attack - nationally and globally - and the contentious relationship between Arab and Israeli organizations. The Jabara papers pertain to various litigation procedures and case files, including those in Michigan, with the federal government, and those involving various humanitarian projects. In particular, Jabara challenged the practice of law enforcement agencies to collect information and maintain surveillance of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities and Arab Americans. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, for example, the murder trial of Sirhan Sirhan and the extradition case of Ziyād Abū ʻAyn (sometimes spelled Ziad Abu Ein or Ziad Abu Ain). Materials are organized into litigation and case files, as well as topical files pertaining to Arab American activism, organizational involvement, participation in the Middle East delegation of the National Lawyers Guild, and other pertinent global and national events highlighting Arabic issues.

The collection has been divided into four series: Litigation/Court Cases, Political and Cultural Activities, Publications, and Topical Files. The materials primarily document the types of legal and political battles and causes that Jabara has tackled throughout his career. A limited amount of material in the collection is in Arabic and French, mostly correspondence, press clippings, and newsletters, and is noted where possible in the contents list.

Researchers should note that, because of the interconnected nature of Jabara's legal, political, and cultural work, topics and materials might be found in multiple series.

The Smith family travel photograph albums consist of two volumes containing photographs, chromolithographs, die-cut scrapbook pieces, and pressed flower designs accumulated during a trip to Europe, Egypt, Syria, and Palestine.

The Smith family travel photograph albums consist of two volumes containing photographs, chromolithographs, die-cut scrapbook pieces, and pressed flower designs accumulated during a trip to Europe, Egypt, Syria, and Palestine.

The albums chronicle the journey of siblings “J. M. Smith" and “M. H. Smith.” Each album bears the name of its respective owner on the front cover. The Smiths left New York City on May 20th 1874 on the Cunard Line Steamer Abyssinia, before disembarking in Queenstown, Ireland, on May 29th. After spending time in Ireland, England, and Scotland they visited several locations in mainland Europe including Paris, Switzerland, southern Germany, Brussels, the Netherlands, Italy, Prussia, and Austria. After exploring Europe, the Smiths ventured to the Middle East where they toured Egypt, Christian holy sites in Palestine (present-day Israel), Turkey, and Syria. They subsequently traveled back through Italy and France before boarding the steamer Bothnia in Liverpool and returning to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Volume one (25 x 19.5 cm) has purple covers with “J. M. Smith” stamped in gold on the front and contains 47 photographs, 19 printed items, 1 drawing, and numerous dried pressed vegetation arrangements. Several images found in this album are also found in volume two including commercial photographic reproductions of engraved portraits, Italian Renaissance artwork, and other 19th century paintings. A handwritten itinerary outlining the course of the trip can be found inside the front cover and suggests the albums were finished being compiled by August 20th 1875. Items of interest include several portraits of various individuals including Julia Anderson, Jinnie Miller, Lula Miller, Nannie Anderson, and Reverend Christopher Newman Hall; numerous dried floral compositions; a pen and ink drawing of the “arms & crest of ‘Darsie’”; a photograph of two leaning towers in Bologna; a printed memorial card for Elizabeth Maria Thompson, founder of the British Syrian Schools Mission in Beirut and Damascus; and an image of blind children likely from one of Thompson’s schools.

Volume two (25 x 19.5 cm) has purple covers with "M. H. Smith" stamped in gold on the front and contains 64 photographs, 70 printed items, and numerous dried pressed vegetation arrangements. A handwritten itinerary outlining the course of the trip that is nearly identical to one found at the beginning of volume one is located inside the front cover. Items of interest include a photograph of a painting of Queen Victoria’s family; die-cut scrapbook pieces depicting different manner of dress in nations including the United States, China, and Italy; and numerous photographs and photographic reproductions of portraits of European royalty, rulers, and people wearing traditional ethnic clothing (mainly Swiss, Germans, Italians, and Greeks). Also of note are pressed vegetation and flower designs including moss samples spelling out “Italy” and “Egypt”; photographic and lithographic portraits of Prussian leaders Wilhelm I, Crown Prince Frederick William, Prince Carl, and Otto von Bismarck; a collection of materials from Marie Antoinette’s prison cell along with flowers from around Paris; a photograph of a female professor at the University of Bologna, Italy who was said to be too beautiful to be seen teaching (also found in volume two); a lengthy description of religious sites in Jaffa, Palestine; a reward of merit in Arabic given to M. H. Smith by an Arab guide (also found in volume two); and photographs of the King and Queen of Greece. Numerous photographs have been colored by hand.