In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Obituary.
MR. ABRAHAM FECHHEIMER, of the firm of Fechheimer & Bro. of this city, died at his residence, November 25th, after a lingering disease of several months.
Mr. A.F. was but forty-two years old when he died, leaving a widow, three children, and numerous relatives and friends to lament his loss. He was a native of Bavaria, and came to this country in 1838.
As a man and a merchant he enjoyed the confidence and the highest esteem of all who came in contact with him. He was an unpretending and faithful citizen, a tender husband and father, had a charitable disposition towards every man, especially towards the poor and needy who lost in him a noble benefactor.
Mr. A.F. was one of the founders of K.K. Benai Yeshurun, and a zealous supporter of it, having occupied nearly ever honorary office in the gift of that congregation. He was Parnass in the years 1843 and 1844. His pious and upright conduct secured to him the affections of his brothers-in-faith. May the Lord receive his soul in grace, and dry up the tears of the mourners.
— December 1, 1854
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
– Holland. — The cultivation of music seems to be a special study among our Dutch co-religionists, and the number of Choral Societies among them is exceedingly numerous. The Hague papers speak very highly of a concert given under distinguished patronage by the members of the Kunstoefening in that town, a fortnight back. All the vocalists and instruments, as well as the orchestra, were Jews and the members of a society of which Herr Adamaan is President.
– Germany. — The foundation stone of a refuge for destitute Israelites was recently laid at Hegenheim (Alsace) by Rabbi Nordman, who eloquently addressed those assembled at the ceremony. Subscriptions in aid of the building fund have been pouring in from Paris, Marseilles, Frankfort, Berlin, Geneva, &c.
– Austro-Hungary. An incident of a dreadful character is reported from a village in Hungary. A peasant, walking into a tavern, the proprietor of which was a Jew, called for a glass of spirits, which he immediately tossed off. No sooner had he imbibed the liquor, than he was attacked with a sudden sickness which brought on cholera, a disease at present prevalent in the district. The man died, and the populace, positive that the liquor had been poisoned, seized the unfortunate tavern-keeper, and murdered him, his wife, and children. A priest, who had endeavored to convince the mob of their error, and had vainly tried to show them that the man had perished through the influence of cholera, was hardly allowed to escape with his life, so enraged and bloodthirsty was the crowd of ignorant peasants. We have not ascertained whether the authorities have taken steps to punish the murderers.
— November 28, 1873
125 Years ago
Our country is threatened with the displeasure of his majesty the Czar, we see from cable reports, on account of America’s exacting demands on Spain. This displeasure, however, will intimidate us as little as it does Germany, England or Japan, which are equally threatened with that horror. The German emperor is called a renegade in Russian papers. We are not called hard names yet, we are only throated with the imperial displeasure. We can stand this without thinking of retaliation. All we might do hereafter is this: If the Czar does not like us, we might revenge ourselves by saying that we do not like him.
Jottings
– Mrs. Millie Beltman of Wabash, Ind., has sent us $100 for the Hebrew Union College for which we extend the tanks of the beneficiaries.
– Mr. Leopold Levy, who has been elected treasurer of the State of Indiana, is the first Jew to be placed on the State ticket by either party.
– The distinguished Jewish painter Leopold Horowitz, has been honored by the Emperor of Austria with a commission to paint a portrait of the late Empress. He has already executed a portrait of the Emperor by His Majesty’s command.
– A factory is being built at the Jewish colony at Chesterfield, Conn., for the manufacture of hats and cloaks, which appears to be more to the liking of the colonists than agriculture. It is understood that the Hirsch Society is about to send more colonists there.
– The fair which was given in St. Louis last week lost one of its proposed attractions. It was announced that Miss Seligman, the actress, would auction off a kiss. In private life, Miss Seligman is Mrs. Robert Cutting, of New York. Mr. Cutting heard of the plan and objected, and the kiss feature of the fair was off.
– Nashville, Tenn., has been enjoying a mild social sensation through the marriage of pretty Cecil Rosenheim, the 18 year old daughter or Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rosenheim and Walter Acker, the 20 year old son of Judge Walter Acker, a wealthy and prominent attorney. The Rosenheims are Jews and the Ackers Christians, hence the stir.
— December 1, 1898
100 Years ago
Sunday, December 2, has been selected as “Golden Rule Sunday.” The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” has a very pretty sound, as have those other maxims: “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart.”; “Love thy enemies.” They are hereby commended to the careful, tearful and prayerful consideration of the members of the Ku Klux Klan. Per haps it will lead some of them to join the great brotherhood of man, to which there is no ten dollar initiation fee.
Jottings
– During June-August, 1923, 120 people left the United States for settlement in Palestine through the medium of the Palestine Bureau of the Zionist Organization of America.
– At Piqua, Ohio, a union Thanksgiving service of the St. James Episcopal Church and the Jewish Congregation was held at the Temple. The service was read by Mr. E. Kahn. There was a solo by Mrs. Gottheimer, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Hayward S. Ablowhite, of the Episcopalian Congregation.
– At Akron, Ohio, C.J. Bowman, principal of South High School, is at a loss with what to do with a large American flag and a Bible, gifts of members of the Ku Klux Klan. A resolution instructing him to return them was adopted unanimously by the Board of Education, but Dr. Bowman says he does not know the donors.
— November 29, 1923
75 Years ago
Ohav Shalom Announces Speakers for Laying of Cornerstone on Sunday
Former Mayor Murray Seasongood will attend the laying of the cornerstone for the new Ohav Shalom building Sunday, Dec. 5th, at 2 p.m., and he will extend greetings.
The Jewish Community Council will be represented by Lester A. Jaffe, a leader in communal affairs. Abe Berman, president of Avondale Synagogue, will extend greetings. Sol Goodman, a board member of the Congregation, will be chairman for the afternoon. The address will be by Rabbi Bernard Greenfield. Rabbi Fishel J. Goldfeder will give the invocation.
United Nations Is Asked To Grant Membership To State of Israel
PARIS. — The State of Israel applied Monday, Nov. 29th, for membership in the United Nations, exactly one year after the UN had voted for partition of Palestine and had cleared the way for establishment of Israel. Prompt admission was asked in a letter handed to Trygve Lie, UN secretary general, by Moshe Shertok, Israel’s foreign minister.
“My government submits that Israel’s admission to the United Nations will constitute an act of international justice to the Jewish people and will contribute to the stabilization of the Middle East and to the cause of international peace,” the letter said.
— December 2, 1948
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Dr. and Mrs. Richard Jolson invite you to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Scott, on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 10:45 a.m., at Rockdale Temple, and to attend the Kiddush following the service.
Scott is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Klein of Louisville and of Dr. and Mrs. M.S. Jolson. He is the great grandson of Mrs. Jospeh H. Levine.
– Our Son, Lawrence Blaine, will be called to Torah to participate in services on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 9 a.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads.
Lawrence is the grandson of Mrs. Bertha Hattenbach and Mrs. Lena Callis.
We cordially invite our friends and relatives to worship with us and attend the Kiddish following services.
Annette and Eric Hattenbach
– Robert Todd Holzberg, son of Dr. And Mrs. Donald J. Holzberg of North Miami, Fla., will be Bar Mitzvah Dec. 8 at Congregation Beth Torah in Florida.
He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Murray Bergman of Cincinnati and Mrs. Aaron Holzberg of Miami Beach and the late Mr. Holzberg.
— November 29, 1973
25 Years ago
Golf Manor searches for globe for youth director, finds Sollofe
Golf Manor Synagogue, like many others, once thought of its youth department as a nice part-time program to serve the children of adult members. That was, until the youth committee, led by Glenn Bochner, proposed a full-time youth director. The committee wanted to establish a comprehensive youth program in order to engage and include Jewish kids as an integral part of the community.
“We searched the globe for a true professional who could relate to kids and be an inspiration,” said Bochner. “We were fortunate to find Andy in London.”
Since Andy Sollofe stepped off the plane in August, his more than eight years experience in youth work has shown. He has designed and coordinated more than 20 successful events, like a trip to Seaworld in Cleveland for 80, Sukkah hops, laser tag, bowling parties, white water rafting, Shabbat parties and dinners.
“We are really pleased with the participation level and direction of our youth program,” said Norman Frankel, chairmen of the board. “We know a key to a vital Jewish community in the future is ensuring our children are having positive Jewish experiences today.”
— December 3, 1998
10 Years ago
Cincinnatians enjoy dinner together in Jerusalem
By Phyllis Singer
Contributing Editor
Seven young former Cincinnatians who recently made alliyah had the opportunity on Nov. 12 to interact with a group of Cincinnati community leaders who were in Jerusalem to attend the General Assembly (GA) of the Jewish Federations of North America. After three days of intense meetings and discussions Nov. 10-12 at the GA, the Cincinnati delegation held one more meeting: a dinner get-together with the seven young people. It was an opportunity for both groups to get to know each other.
The Cincinnati delegates enjoyed the closing dinner and the opportunity to interact with the young people. It was a very meaningful closure to three full days of meetings and discussions. Shep Englander, chief executive officer of the Cincinnati Jewish Federation, noted that the delegation represented an “amazing cross-section” of lay and professional leaders from the community. “We believe that the best way to address the Jewish future is to join forces if we are to address these issues effectively.”
Wise Temple December WiseUp social action projects
Wise Temple congregants will participate in a wide range of WiseUP Social Action projects this December. First on the calendar, Wise Temple members roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life at the annual Wise Temple Blood Drive on December 8. The blood- mobiles will be at the offices of Temple member Dr. Mindy Hastie ready to help with the quick and painless process which allows hundreds of patients to receive the gift of life. This blood drive is open to anyone.
— November 28, 2013
