The collection mostly pertains to Kurtzer's work for the U.S. Foreign Service. Much of the collection is comprised of memoranda from Kurtzer's daily meetings in his capacity as ambassador to Israel. Additionally, Kurtzer's schedules in the form of daily itineraries, often interfiled with memoranda or background materials pertaining to meetings or other events, provide detailed information about his day-to-day activities in both Egypt and Israel. Materials from conferences on Middle East peace, Kurtzer's speeches and remarks (including drafts), U.S. policy statements, agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and other materials also document Kurtzer's diplomatic service. To a lesser extent, the collection reflects different aspects of Kurtzer's professional and personal life in the form of his student papers and other writings, teaching material, collected news clippings, and biographical material. The collection also includes the daily schedules of his wife, Sheila Kurtzer, dating from 1998-2001, as well as the Kurtzers' contact lists from their time abroad and guest lists for various events.