In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
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– The Fourth of July was duly celebrated in the Broadway synagogue, with appropriate hymns, sung by the choir of K. K. Benai Yeshurun, and an address delivered by the Rev. Dr. Wise, which will be published in our next paper.
— July 6, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– The past is all too old for this age of progress. Look at this throng of carriages, this multitude of men and horses, of women and children. Every one of these has a reason for going this way rather than that. If we could penetrate their minds, and ascertain their motives, an epic poem would present itself, exhibiting the business of life as it actually is, with all its passions and interests, hopes and fears. A poem, whether in verse or prose, conceived in this spirit and impartially written, would be the epic of the age.
– The tourist Halevy is the recipient of the golden medal by the Geographical Society of Paris, in acknowledgment of his services rendered to ancient and modern geography, by the documents which he brought from Arabia.
– In Vienna, the death of the prominent jurist, Dr. Herman Knefler, which occurred in May, is lamented by all classes of scholars and writers. He was forty-five years old, yet highly distinguished as an orator and pleader.
– Dr. Guedalia Brecher, of Prosnitz, in Moravia, distinguished alike as a practical physician, prominent humanist, excellent writer, and faithful Israelite, died last month, seventy-six years old. His life was an uninterrupted succession of usefulness to his fellow-men. His book on Immortality is probably best known among Israelites.
– A new society for the granting of dowries to deserving couples in humble circumstances has just been established at Berenstadt, and bears the name of a deceased worthy in whose memory it has been founded. 200 dollars have been sunk for the audible purpose, the yearly interest of which will be applied in accordance with rules of the society.
— July 4, 1873
125 Years ago
It is reported by the Indian Rights Association that the real ground of the attack upon Dr. Hailmann, which resulted in his dismissal from the office of Superintendent of Indian Schools, was his religious opinions. Dr. Hailmann is a Unitarian of note, of high character, of eminent ability, learning and fitness for his office. All this did not save him however from the attacks of orthodox Christians, who hated him for his heterodoxy, and probably wanted his position for one of their own. That they have succeeded in having him dismissed shows the strength of clandestine influences in Washington.
Jottings
– The first occupant of a civic position on the Spanish soil is an Israelite. His name is Louis Kempner, and he has received from the President the appointment of postmaster of the United States Postal Station No. 1. Mr. Kempner is 36 years of age, born in New York, and for twelve years has been employed as a clerk in the post office in that city.
– The future is uncertain, but if you keep your blood pure with Hood’s Sarsaparilla you may be sure of good health.
— July 7, 1898
100 Years ago
Ford Wants Jews’ Support
The New York World of July 1 prints the following:
A well-authenticated report today says that Henry Ford recently has been trying to make his peace with the Jews of New York City.
The information that Ford was attempting to rid himself of the burden which he acquired three years ago when he launched a series of attacks against Jews in the Dearborn Independent, comes form two independent sources, each man of unquestioned standing in Jewish circles.
As they related it today, a man representing himself as an agent of Ford recently called on one of the big Jewish leaders in New York City and sounded that man out as to the effect which a recantation by Ford and a public apology would have on the Jewish voters.
Local leaders of both parties assert that the chances of Ford’s getting the nomination by either of the major parties are so remote as to be negligible.
Jottings
– President Harding is still performing the office of funeral orator for the League of Nations; and the association headed by former Justice Clarke is equally persistent that the demise is exaggerated and the President, as chief mourner at the obsequies, premature. — Christian Register.
– Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., at its commencement exercises conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon M. Baruch, New York financier. It was contributions from Mr. Baruch that made possible the establishment of the Institute of Politics which has become an annual summer event at Williams.
— July 5, 1923
75 Years ago
HUC Merger Lauded by President of UAHC, Dr. Maurice Eisendrath
“The larger opportunities for service now afforded by this unification of all the Liberal Jewish forces in America, into one dynamic and cohesive movement dedicated to a holy task indigenous to the soil and soul of American, cannot but inspire and delight ever liberal Jew in this country.”
Dr. Maurice N. Eisendrath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, said in a statement acclaiming the decision for the merger of the Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Institute of Religion.
Cincinnati Social and Personal
– The importance of permitting a child to develop independence without the interference of oversolicitous parents was stressed Thursday, June 24th, by Mrs. Nathan Ransohoff, lecturer on child care and training in the College of Home Economics, University of Cincinnati, addressing the U.C. students attending the Health Education Institute.
Mrs. Ransohoff spoke on “Heath in Relation to the Emotional Life of the Young Child.”
– A surprise dinner party was given for Mr. and Mrs. Morris Bremen at the Cincinnati Club Friday, June 18th, in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary.
— July 1, 1948
50 years ago
Robert M. Senior, Civic Leader, Dies at Age of 92
Robert M. Senior, a horticulturist of international reputation and a leader in civic, cultural and educational fields, passed away Friday evening, June 29th, at Jewish Hospital.
He was a lifelong resident of Cincinnati and would have been 93 on Dec. 23rd of this year.
Mr. Senior was a member of the Royal Horticulture Society of Britain and author of some 300 articles, published in the U.S. and Europe, on horticulture. He was president 1921-23 of the United Jewish Social Agencies (now the Jewish Federation.)
He was a member of Rockdale Temple and a former trustee of Jewish Hospital.
Amnesty is Urged by American Jewish Congress Appeal
NEW YORK CITY (JTA) — The American Jewish Congress called for unconditional amnesty for “all those who were compelled by their conscience to refuse to participate in the Vietnam war” and said Congress could grant the amnesty if the President refuses to act.
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Richards are happy to announce the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Pamela Joy, on Friday, July 13, at 8 p.m. at Northern Hills Synagogue, 715 Fleming Road.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and to attend the Oneg Shabbat following the services.
Pam is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Finkel of Lincoln, Neb., and Mr. and Mrs. David Richards, of Griffith, Ind.
— July 5, 1973
25 Years ago
Goldfarb’s Hebrew Poem Published
Jared Goldfarb, a fifth grader at Yavneh Day School, recently had a poem published in Tov Lichtov, a collection of Hebrew poems and essays written by kindergartners through 12th graders across the United States.
Goldfarb, taught by Miriam Clerman, wrote his poem prior to the celebration of Tu B’Shevat and based it on the comparison between people and trees, as asked rhetorically in the Torah: “For is a tree of the field like a man?”
Earlier this spring, a number of Yavneh students prepared Hebrew essays and poems, from works completed throughout the year, for submission to Top LIchtov, which means “it’s good to write.” Thousands of entries were sent in from synagogue affiliated and non affiliated schools across the United States. Goldfarb’s was the only one from Yavneh to be chosen.
Rothenberg wins award for research
Dr. Marc Rothenberg, a researcher in Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s division of pulmonary medicine, has earned the Pharmacia Allergy Research Foundation International Award for 1998.
— July 9, 1998
10 Years ago
JFS’s Pat Rosenberg wins Community Caregiver Award
Compassion, dedication and trustworthiness are vital characteristics of any caregiver. Jewish Family Service Bikur Cholim Coordinator Patricia Rosenberg was recognized as having these attributes and impacting many lives in the Jewish community when the Caring Like Karen Fund presented her with the Community Caregiver Award. Pat and five other caregivers were honored at a luncheon June 14 at the Marriott at Union Centre.
Wise Temple welcomes two new assistant rabbis
It’s an exciting time at Wise Temple! This week Rabbi Sydney F. Henning and Rabbi Rachel R. Maimin, two new assistant rabbis, joined the Wise Temple community. They come with different backgrounds, experiences and personalities that contribute to the active, diverse and welcoming congregational family at Wise Temple.
Rabbi Maimin grew up in a household with a strong and active Jewish involvement. She was influenced by family members who are Jewish educators and who played a significant role in developing her path to the rabbinate. By contrast, Rabbi Henning started out as a part of the growing number of unaffiliated and uninvolved interfaith youth, a newer trend among the wider Jewish world
— July 4, 2013