In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Palestine Archaeological Association
Archaeological research in the East having now attained such important results, in the discovery and acquisition of splendid monuments, both Egyptian and Assyrian; — and a great archaeological chain of inquiry having been thus established, from Egyptian Thebes to the site of Nineveh, it has been suggested that Palestine presents itself the middle link in this chain, as being full of rich promise to researches and inquiries of similar character.
If Egypt and Assyria have afforded so many valuable monuments to the truth of history and tradition, it may reasonably be expected that Palestine would yield as rich a harvest. Why should not the sites of the ancient cities and towns of the Hebrews, and of the aboriginal inhabitants of Canaan, be explored? And why might not the localities of important monuments — especially of the Hebrews — be sought for, under the guidance of scriptural authority and of tradition; — as, for instance, the Egyptian coffins of the patriarch at Hebron and Sychem — the twelve stones set up by Joshua, at Gilgal and in the Jordan; — the monumental record of the law in the Stone of Sychem; — the Sacred Ark, supposed to have been concealed by the prophet Jeremiah in some recess; — with many others which will suggest themselves to the Biblical reader?
— December 8, 1854
150 Years ago
Perhaps there is no species of insect which we regard with more active enmity than the fly. Yet, although flies are undoubtedly an annoyance, they serve a very useful purpose. They are the scavengers that make away with the unnoticeable fragments of eatables, the decomposition of which would vitiate the air which we breathe. We see no reason to disbelieve the saying that cholera times are characterized by the scarcity of flies. We have, on the contrary, reason to believe that an abundance of flies prevents that infection of the atmosphere, which is so fearfully calculated to introduce and spread cholera in its most malignant form. Let us, therefore, not be displaced with flies, nor wish them all out of existence, because one happens to tickle us by lighting on our face.
Items
- Society is flooded with men and women who simply echo the seas of others. No matter how clamorous the echo be, it is only an echo, after all. The poser of positive ideas, and not the power of the affirmation and promulgation of them, moves the world.
- There is such a thing as a habit of irregularity, though it may seem a paradox, and of all it is the most difficult for a man to break himself of.
— December 5, 1873
125 Years ago
The library of Harvard University has just acquired, through the efforts of Mr. Leo Weiner, instructor in Russian, a valuable collection of 19th Century Jewish literature. The collection now numbers 1,500 volumes, and when complete will contain about 1,800, making it one of the finest of its kind in the world. Most of the books were presented to Harvard by Prof. Harkavy of St. Petersburg. Mr. Loeb of New York also gave a sum of money to be used in purchasing books.
Jottings
- Mr. Leopold Levy, State Treasurer elect of Indiana, must sell his business at Huntington at once, to go into office. Particulars in advertisements on 7th page. This is a splendid opportunity.
- At Des Moines, Iowa, Rev. Oscar Clute, of the Unitarian Church, preached the Thanksgiving Day sermon in the Jewish temple at a union service of the two congregations.
- The gathering of Jews, Gentiles, Catholics and Protestants under one roof on Thanksgiving Day in a peace jubilee, says the Butte, Montana, “Daily Inter-Mountain,” was an achievement in the field of religious unity that reflected great credit on the citizenship of Butte. In Dr. Maurice Elsenberg the movement had an able and earnest sponsor, and it is to be hoped that his work in this direction will leave an indelible impression upon the public mind. Humanity has a common aim, and peace and good will should prevail.
— December 6, 1898
100 Years ago
To Readers and Correspondents
At the last moment demand on the columns of this paper became so great that, in addition to news letters and other matter, a number of advertisements had to be omitted. For which the indulgence of all concerned is asked.
Jottings
- It needed but the Berlin and Munich pogroms, to say nothing of those which occurred in the smaller cities and towns of Germany to complete the tale of infamy of the German people, and to prove their utter destitution of the instincts of ordinary humanity.
- The State of Kentucky has the distinction of having defeated the “Monkey Bill,” William J. Bryan’s pet measure to prohibit the teaching of the theory of evolution in the public schools of the State, by a single vote, and then only after a State Legislator from one of the larger counties had obtained a delay long enough to enable him to consult his home preacher who, fortunately, was sufficiently enlightened to advise against the measure.
- A report from Rome says that Pope Pius XI has expressed sympathy for the pogrom victims. His Holiness’ sympathy would be more valuable if he would punish the pogrom instigators and those who carried them on, and take steps to prevent their repetition. A papal edict excommunicating every Roman Catholic who takes part in a pogrom, or instigates one, would be more effective than an expression of sympathy for the victims, especially in Bavaria, Poland, and Hungary, where numerous pogroms have occurred within recent times, and are still taking place.
— December 6, 1923
75 Years ago
Hanukkah Gifts May be Made in Woodwork Shop
The Woodwork Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 4 to 5:30 p.m., and on Sunday afternoon, 2-5 p.m., announces Dave Lyons, instructor.
For those who wish to make Hanukkah gifts, such as dreidels, menorahs, and to save money, the shop is just the place to spend your leisure hours.
Cincinnati Social and Personal
- Dr. Leon Saks has returned from St. Louis where he was essayist at the Mid-Continent Dental Congress. His topic was “A New Approach to Silicates.” He also spoke Monday, Dec. 6th, at the Ohio Dental Society meeting in Dayton, OH.
- Mr. Robert Frost, famous American poet, was a luncheon guest Tuesday, Dec. 7th, at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Victor E. Reichert. Mr. Prost spoke at the University of Cincinnati Monday and Tuesday.
On the Radio
The second in a series of 12 radio shows, “Marriage for the Millions,” starring Frank Latimore and sponsored by the Family Service of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and the Jewish Family Service Bureau, will be heard Sunday, Dec. 12th, at 3:15 p.m. over WSAI.
Each program deals with a phase of the husband-wife relationship and relates true-life stories of couples rescued from family break-up through the aid of family counselors.
— December 9, 1948
50 years ago
David Ben-Gurion, A Founder of Israel, Widely Mourned
Hundreds of Thousands File Past his Bier
David Ben-Gurion, who became a legend in his lifetime as the chief symbol of Jewish statehood and independence, died in Tel Aviv, Saturday, Dec. 1st, at the age of 87. He had been ill two weeks.
He was Israel’s first Premier and proclaimed statehood for that nation, May 14, 1948. Throughout the years until his fatal illness he was regarded as Israel’s strong man, whether in or out of public office.
Several hundred thousand mourners filed past his bier to view his body as it lay in state at the Knesset Sunday, Dec. 2. Flags on all public buildings were at half mast Sunday and Monday.
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Stanely R. Gershuny are very happy to announce the forthcoming Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Carol Ann, on Friday evening, Dec. 14, at 8:15 p.m., at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galraith Roads.
They cordially invite their family and friends to worship with them and to attend the Kiddish immediately following the services.
Carol Ann is the granddaughter of Mrs. Pauline Bailes and Mr. George Bailes and the late Mr. and Mrs. Morris Gershuny.
— December 6, 1973
25 Years ago
Ted Deutsch buys The American Israelite
By Phyllis Singer
Editor
The nation’s oldest English-Jewish weekly newspaper has been sold. Ted Deutsch, owner of Key Magazine/Cincinnati, has bought The American Israelite, announced Millard Mack, president of The American Israelite Co., the paper’s publisher.
The transaction was concluded Tuesday.
“I’m honored to be a part of the long and wonderful history of The American Israelite,” said Deutsch, adding that he has had a desire to own the paper for many years.
“I’ve been reading The American Israelite since I was a kid,” he said, “often longing to own it myself. God has a funny way of making things work out. It really was my destiny.”
“This was a bittersweet moment,” said Mack, the paper’s owner since 1985. “We have worked hard to make The American Israelite a paper of content, and we think we succeeded. Dr. [Jacob Rader] Marcus, [former director of the American Jewish Archives] used to call the paper ‘the cement that held the community together,’ and we work hard to make it that.”
Jewish Hospital performs 1,000th open-heart procedure
The Jewish Hospital, Southwestern Ohio’s first hospital to perform open-heart surgery in a suburban location, recently performed its 1,000th open-heart procedure.
To better meet the needs of Cincinnati’s suburban residents, the renowned 29-year-old cardiovascular services program was moved in its entirety form the Jewish Hospital of Cincinnati on Burnet Avenue to the rapidly growing Jewish Hospital in Kenwood in April 1996.
In addition to open-heart surgery, more than 3,000 cardiac catheterization procedures have been performed since the 1996 move, including more than 1,600 angioplasty procedures.
— December 10, 1998
10 Years ago
In memory of Alvin Lipson, local businessman and philanthropist
“We make a living by what we get; but we make a life by what we give”. So said Winston Churchill, and it is an apt quote to sum up the life of Alvin Lipson. He made a living through his profession, but he truly made a life through his charitable works and generous donations of time and expertise.
Alvin Lipson’s presence in the city of Cincinnati was prolific. He was a highly successful and acclaimed builder, developer and a philanthropist. He truly cared about the city, his community and the Jewish community in particular. What sets Alvin apart from most, however, was his integrity and commitment to his Jewish values.
Whether conducting multi-million dollar real estate deals, giving advice at committee meetings for a favored non-profit, to speaking with employees on a day to day basis, Alvin always maintained incorruptibly sound and completely honest decorum. He did this while being successful and self-made in his own right, and proffering sage wisdom for those interests which he cared deeply about, allowing them to flourish.
— December 5, 2013
