In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
At a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Emanu-El Congregation, held at their room on the 6th inst, the following resolutions were unanimously passed: —
Resolved, That in the order of prayers, as revised by our rabbi, Rev. Dr. Merzbacher, we recognize a great progress to Judaism. The style of the work is good, indeed fine, and the author entitled to much praise for the labor and research he has bestowed upon it.
The work likewise, though disclaiming originality, is so in several particulars.
Resolved, That a vote of thanks be and is hereby tendered in behalf of the Emanu-El Congregation to Rev. Dr. Merzbacher.
Resolved, That the above resolutions be inserted in the Israelite and the Asmonean and a copy be transmitted to Rev. Dr. Merzbacher.
— May 25, 1855
150 YEARS AGO
Items
Please remember that you are appointed a special agent of THE ISRAELITE. Go and see your neighbors at your earliest convenience, and let us know what success you met. If you wish to see the Jewish press decidedly improved, please go and do some work for it.
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A rabbi, who is evidently insane, recently sent a petition to the German Parliament praying that body to acknowledge and declare Prince Bismarck as the Messiah.
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As regards correspondents in large cities we wish to engage, we must state that we are supplied in Yew York, Baltimore, New Orleans, and St. Louis. In those cities we have vigilant and able writers to apprise the public of all worth knowing, As an instance see this week’s communications from New York and New Orleans.
Prospectus of the Twenty-first Volume of Israelite and Deborah
The standard of the Jewish press must be raised, and The Israelite must advance it. Little, lame, lifeless sheets represent a similar class of people. Broad, spirited, and wide-awake journals are always looked upon as the indie to an enlightened and liberal community. For the sake then of Israel’s honor in this country, the standard of Jewish press must be raised. The Israelite being the oldest and widest-spread Jewish journal in this country, considers it its duty to advance the standard of Jewish press.
It is our intention, and we will spare neither time nor treasure, to publish the best Jewish family newspaper we have the ability to bring out.
— May 23, 1873
125 YEARS AGO
Rules and Regulations
Governing Admission to the Hebrew Union College
Any person of good moral character and competent to pursue the studies of any of the three departments of the College, as specified hereinafter, may be admired to such department. No other test is required.
All applications for admission must be in the hands of the Secretary of the Board of Governors not later than the twentieth of May. Every student desiring admission is required to fill out the official blank to be finished by the Secretary for that purpose, upon application.
Tuition at the College is free.
The minimum age of admission shall be sixteen years. Every applicant before admission to the College will be required to pass a successful examination, conducted by the faculty under the direction of the President.
Jottings
To punish France for her unfriendliness American women are asked to refuse to buy articles of wear that are made in that country. We venture to say, however, that the largest single item of the importations from France to the United States is champagne. If boycotting is advisable let the men do their share, beginning with the sparkling wine, to the benefit of their health and pockets. If all of the clubs should make it a rule to banish champagne for a year it would keep more money in the country than is annually sent out of it for women’s dresses.
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Dr. Mark J. Lehman, editor of the “Jewish Ledger,” of New Orleans, was attacked on the street by J. Liberman and D.E. Phillips, of the “Owl,” and badly beaten. The sensational affray occurred on Carondelet St. Dr. Lehman received a gash on the back of the hand and other injuries. His nose was badly cut. All parties were arrested. Feeling runs very shiest between the parties and more trouble is expected. The trouble few out of a newspaper controversy. The “Owl” is the official organ of the Y.M.H.A.’s of New Orleans, St. Louis and Louisville, or claims to be. It is at best a poor apology for a newspaper. If the statement that Dr. Lehman was assaulted is correct, the attack was as cowardly as it was ruffianly.
— May 26, 1898
100 YEARS AGO
Jottings
“In winter Europe suffers starvation and cold, and in summer it thinks of war. Something ought to be done about it,” says the Chicago News. “How would it do to abolish winter and summer?” suggests the St. Louis Star.
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Reports from Argentina indicate that this South American country does not offer very enticing conditions for the would-be immigrants. Jews paling to come to Argentina re warned to strip themselves of all illusions that they will find there pleasant conditions awaiting them.
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In Philadelphia an organization has been formed by a number of Jewish young men and women to act as the “clearing house for volunteer workers.” The object is to furnish the various philanthropic organizations with helpers, who in addition to being earnest and intelligent, will supplement their vigor and enthusiasm with scientific training.
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Elias M. Epstein, “The New Palestine” Jerusalem correspondent, complains that Thos. Cook & Son, the tourist agency, in engaging dragomen and guides utterly ignores the Jewish Guides’ Association and throughout the last season they did not engage a single one. He suggests that Jews visiting Palestine as Cook’s tourists demand that it should supply Jewish guides.
— May 24, 1923
75 YEARS AGO
Israel is Born, Wins U.S., Soviet Recognition; UN Urged to Order End of War in Holy Land
The Jewish State of Israel, in Palestine, was proclaimed at 6:01 p.m.. (Cincinnati time) Friday, May 14th, and within 10 minutes President Truman formally recognized that state in the following words: “The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the new State of Israel.”
Soviet Russia followed by recognizing Israel and Guatemala also accorded the new state recognition.
Around the world Zionists celebrated the fulfillment of their centuries old dream, and many non-Zionists and anti-Zionists joined in expressing hope for the new state’s success.
The tempo of warfare between Jews and Arabs in Palestine mounted with announcement of Israel’s creation. Arabs continued defiant of United States insistence that the Arab invasion of the Holy Land be abandoned and peace be restored.
The United Nations Security Council was asked, by the U.S. delegation to the UN, to order a truce in the Holy Land, to require Arabs and Jews to hold their present respective positions and to stop fighting within 36 hours.
Dr. Chaim Weizmann was elected to and accepted the presidency of Israel. David Ben Gurion is prime minister designate.
— May 20, 1948
50 YEARS AGO
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Elias L. Levine announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Steven Robert, at 9 a.m., at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads.
Steven is the grandson of Mrs. Minnie Levine and the late Mr. Calman Levine and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Wiener.
Relatives and friends are invited to worship with Steven and his parents and grandparents and to attend the Kiddish.
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Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Goodman take pleasure in announcing the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jay Philip, Saturday, June 2nd, at 9 a.m., at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads.
Relatives and fiends are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddush following the services.
Jay is the grandson of Mr. Joseph H. Apseloff and the late Mrs. Jenny Apseloff and the late Mr. Sol and Mrs. Ethel B. Goodman.
Jay is the great-grandson of Mrs. Sam Wander.
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Mr. and Mrs. Ronald White are proud to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Gary Bruce, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene WHite, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Abe Levy, Saturday, May 26th, at 10:45 a.m., at Rockdale Temple.
— May 24, 1973
25 YEARS AGO
Hertzman to perform live tele-surgery
Bernard Hertzman, M.D., a urologist who practices at The Jewish Hospital, will perform the first, live tele-surgery, via satellite, at the American Urological Association annual meeting.
The procedure will be done at the Jewish Hospital at noon on May 31 and will be televised to the conference in San Diego, Calif.
The interactive presentation allows the audience to watch and ask questions in real time. The annual meeting is expected to draw more than 10,000 urologists from around the world.
This is the first time the AUA has televised a live procedure that will be interactive with the audience.
Heimans to receive JNF’s Tree of Life Award
The Jewish National Fund of Cincinnati has named Kim and Gary Heiman as the recipients of its 1998 Tree of Life Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and commitment to the State of Israel.
“The Humans are ideal recipients of this award, said JNF President Edward Paul. “Each is a p pioneer and role model for so many young people in our community, both personally and professionally.”
— May 28, 1998
10 YEARS AGO
HUC-JIR’s highest honor goes to Maestro James Conlon
Rabbi David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), presented the 2013 Roger E. Joseph Prize to Maestro James Conlon, Music Director of the Cincinnati May Festival, at the HUC-JIR ordination ceremony at Congregation Emanu-El in New York City on Sunday, May 5. Mr. Conlon was awarded the prize for his extensive efforts to publish, produce and perform the lesser-known works of composers suppressed by the Nazi regime.
“I am very honored to receive the Roger E. Joseph Prize,” says Mr. Conlon. “When I read the names of previous recipients who are some of the most courageous personalities of the last fifty years who fought for social justice, I feel humble in their company. I accept the prize, not on my own merit, but on that of those composers whose contribution to Western culture has yet to be given its due.”
JVS Career Services moves to Blue Ash
JVS Career Services, which provides Jewish community members with various support services when seeking employment or pursuing higher education, has moved to larger office space so it can expand its services.
JVS Career Services has moved to the CMC Office Center in Blue Ash, a few miles north of its current location.
— May 23, 2013
