In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
New York. — Great exertions are being made here for establishing a large institute, to instruct children in Hebrew and Jewish Catechism without interfering with the common schools. A circular which has been issued for this purpose, is received with much approval. The particulars in my next. — L
Editor’s Note: The L here is the abbreviated signature of Dr. Max Lilienthal, who worked as the correspondence editor for the Israelite at this time.
— February 2, 1855
150 Years ago
In a small Polish village there resides a Jewish minister named Eleazer Steirer, who possess an extraordinary baritone voice. His fame reached Vienna, and Messrs. Rokitanski and Neumann, two of the performers at the opera house in that city, invited him to visit Vienna at their expense. One fine morning Steirer presented himself to his hosts in the Austrian capital, a Polish Jew, with flowing ringlets on both sides of his face and enveloped in a huge fur cap. Steirer’s singing displayed a voice of rare quality, and the two enterprising gentlemen above mentioned determined to give him a musical education. Some financiers declared their readiness to maintain him during his studentship, and the preliminaries being satisfactorily settled, it only remained for the director of the opera to test his musical powers. Herbeck the director, expressed his willingness to give him a hearing, and for this purpose Steirer shortly made an appearance. “What can you sing?” asked Herbeck. “I know nothing,” mourned Steirer, “for I am only a Chazan.” “That matters not,” enjoined the genial empressario, “sing us one of your Jewish melodies.” There was no occasion to repeat the request. Steirer sang a Kaddisch from the Atonement service in so effective a manner that it moved his audience to tears. All present were enraptured with the purity of his sympathetic voice. It was unanimously agreed that Steirer should forsake the ministry for the operatic stage. To this he assented, stipulating a condition that he should retain his ringlets and his mufti. This condition defeated their project, for it was impossible for Count Luna to be decorated with flowing locks, or Nelusko to appear in Polish garb. The conscientious man preferred to abandon the good prospect held out to him, than to infringe the scruples of his religions opinion; so he returned to his inadequately-paid post in the Polish village.
Editor’s Note: Count Luna is one of the main characters in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” (The Troubadour). Nélusko is a character from “L’Africaine” (The African Woman) by Giacomo Meyerbeer.
— January 30, 1874
125 Years ago
Jottings
– Congregation Beth Moses of Kalamazoo, Mich., are preparing to build a new temple.
– Mr. Alexander H. Geismar, a graduate of the Hebrew Union College, who filled the position of rabbi in Brooklyn acceptably for several years, is now practicing law in New York City.
– Miss Zephyr Adler, who is regarded as one of the most beautiful women in Nashville, Tenn., has joined the Salvation Army. Our informant does not state what sect Miss Adler formerly belonged to.
– General Jastrow Alexander of New York, a prominent Jew and importer of independent means in new York City, has been appointed by Governor Roosevelt to be state inspector of gas meters, in place of James L. Steward of New York City, at a salary of $5,000 per year. Mr. Alexander is a war veteran and rose to the rand of adjutant general in the volunteer army in the civil war.
– The trial of the Schlectas at Chicago for the killing of Rabbi Rosenbloom was ended by finding John Schlecta, aged 17, guilty of manslaughter; his father and brother, Frank Shlecta, Sr., and Frank Schlecta, Jr., were acquitted. John Schlecta was given an indefinite sentence and will go to the Illinois state reformatory. He is now 17 years old, and if still kept in prison when he becomes of age he will be taken to the penitentiary. On the sentence he may be imprisoned for life. Though many friends of the men were in the court, there was little excitement when the verdict was announced. The crime for which Schlecta was convicted was the killing of aged Rabbi Louis Rosenbloom last August. Schlecta was beating a small boy when Rosenbloom interfered. Schlecta then assaulted him violently. Later Schlechta’s father and brother appeared on the scene. Rosenbloom soon died, but it could not be positively proved that his death was due to the assault.
— February 2, 1899
100 Years ago
The publishers of THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE wish to secure the services of a traveling subscription solicitor, preferably a young woman, not under thirty years of age, of good appearance, with pleasing address and having some knowledge of Judaism and Jewish affairs. She will have the opportunity to visit many cities under very pleasant conditions. There would be few, if any, long trips, practically no all-night trips and the privilege of stopping at the best hotels. The representative of THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE is everywhere well received and most courteously treated. The publishers pay all traveling expenses and a fair salary to which the agent can add. The publishers would be very much obliged to readers of this if they would call the attention to it of any of their acquaintances who they think might possibly be interested and have them write for further particulars to the publishers of The American Israelite, 7th and Elm Streets, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jottings
– Some of the Jewish periodicals are taking seriously Rabbi Max J. Weis’ suggestion that Yom Kippur ought to be abolished. Others again have more wisely treated the suggestion as it deserved by ignoring it, which was on the whole, the best thing to do.
– Protestant newspapers continue to complain that in the drama and on the screen Protestant clergymen are usually presented as very unattractive personages, while priests and rabbis are more respectfully treated. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the latter, namely the priests and the rabbis, confine their efforts to their own flocks and do not attempt to regulate the lives of whose who have not given them any commission to do so.
— January 31, 1924
75 Years ago
Ben-Gurion Is Prepared To Organize Government When Assembly Meets
WASHINGTON, D.C., — The new State of Israel now has de jure recognition of the United States and de factor recognition of Great Britain.
President Truman granted full (de jure) recognition to Israel and to Trans-Jordan Monday, Jan. 31st.
Great Britain granted de facto recognition to Israel last week.
James G. McDonald may be appointed U.S. ambassador to Israel. He now is special representative to the latter country.
Meanwhile, as a result of elections in Israel Tuesday, Jan. 25th, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s Mapai Party won approximately 40% of the seats in the Constituent Assembly — more than twice as many as were won by any other party. Mr. Ben-Gurion is expected to be entrusted with formation of a government after the Assembly convenes Monday, Feb. 14th, to draft the constitution.
Cincinnati Social and Personal
– Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, former commander of the 4th U.S. Army and now national commander of the Disabled American Veterans, will open the 21st annual Kiwanis-Boy Scout Merit Badge Exposition at Music Hall on Friday, Feb. 11th at 8 p.m.
The exposition in which approximately 1,500 Boy Scouts from Hamiltoy, Brown and Clermont Counties will take part, will open at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11th and will continue Feb. 12th and 13th.
– Mr. and Mrs. Jack Krauss, of 3455 Harvey Avenue, observed their 33rd wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Jan. 26th, and celebrated this event on Sunday, Jan. 30th, with their children and their two grandchildren.
— February 3, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Harold Simkin cordially invite their friends and relatives to join with them in worship in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Michael Stuart, Saturday, Feb. 2, 10:45 a.m., at Rockdale Temple, 8501 Ridge Road.
There will be a Kiddish following the service. No cards.
Michael is the grandson of Mrs. Rose Simkin and Harry and Margaret Tomarin. The maternal great grandparents are Mrs. Sarah Sorkin and Mr and Mrs. Marcus Tomarin, all of Cincinnati.
– Mrs. Milton Malof is happy to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of her son, Scott Jacob, on Feb. 2nd at 10:45 a.m., at Temple Sholom, Longmeadow and Ridge Roads. Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with her and to join in the Kiddish immediately following services.
Scott is the son of the late Dr. Milton Malof and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Lucius H. Riggs and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack Malof.
– Dr. and Mrs. Erich Ringel proudly announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Ronald Emanuel, Saturday, Feb. 9, at 9:30 a.m., at Beth Israel Synagogue, Sixth and Butler Streets, Hamilton, Ohio.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to join the family on this joyous occasion and to attend the Kiddish following services.
Ronald is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Allen I. Kaplan of Roselawn and Mrs. Siegfreid Ringel of Hamilton and the late Mr. Siegfreid Ringel.
— January 31, 1974
25 Years ago
Israeli Film Festival to open Feb. 7
The Annual Israeli Film Festival begins in Cincinnati on Sunday, Feb. 7, and continues to Feb. 18. The festival will feature 14 movies from Israeli filmmakers and an opening night reception with the famous screenwriter and producer Eran Preis at the Esquire Theater in Clifton. A second opening night reception at Mayerson Hall on the campus of Hebrew Union college will be hosted by the Israeli consul from Philadelphia on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Some of the films from the series include: “Because of That War,” “Divorce,” “The Shower,” “Song of the Siren” and “Out For Love … Be Back Shortly.”
The Israeli Film Festival this year is part of an Israel Film Tour started in 1998 in celebration of Israel’s 50th anniversary, that began touring in Cleveland, Akron and Columbus, and will conclude in Cincinnati.
— February 4, 1999
10 Years ago
Congregation Sha’arei Torah/The Village Shul close to completing construction of new synagogue building
Nearly three years after its formation, Congregation Sha’arei Torah/The Village Shul, a Modern Orthodox congregation, is nearing the end of a capital campaign aimed at covering construction efforts for its own synagogue.
Formed in March 2011, the congregation was the response to those individuals who wished to develop a vibrant, participant-driven Modern Orthodox synagogue.
As the new congregation quickly became a cornerstone of the Cincinnati Jewish community, its members sought a new site and building that exhibited that spirit and could accommodate the growing membership.
It eventually found a 6.4-acre picturesque site boasting mature trees, water features and rolling hills.
Located along Section Road in the heart of Amberley Village, the new Shul will be centrally located to the majority of its members.
Officially purchasing the site in summer 2012, the congregation hired Cincinnati-based JDL Warm Construction to start basic site work last fall. Framing of the 4,794-square-foot structure started in late December.
Completion of the project is slated for early summer.
— January 30, 2014
