In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
A Goblet Presented. — We witnessed last Sunday a very touching scene. The pupils of Talmid Yelodim Institute, represented by their committee, presented a silver goblet to S. Friedan, Esq., president of this institute, bearing the inscription “Presented to S. Friedman, Esq., by the pupils of Talmid Yelodim Institute,” accompanied with an appropriate letter. Mr. F. was very moved in replying to the remarks addressed to him by the committee. We are sure that few presents were ever given to men more deserving it than our friend S. Friedman.
— March 9, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– There are two ways of getting rich: one by adding to your possessions; the other by diminishing your desires. The latter is much the easier and readier.
– Chicago. — The Zion Congregation, west side, we are informed, counts eighty-seven members, and among them two of the Greenblum Brothers, vis, Henry and Michael, while the brothers, Elias and Isaac, are members of the Sinai Congregation, south side. We state this in correction of a mistake made in a former report.
– Rev. A. Bloom, the minster of the Congregation B’nai Israel, in Galveston, Texas, being on a visit in the State capital, Austin, on invitation opened that legislature with prayer, which undoubtedly did that body a heap of good, as Mr. Bloom is a well-spoken gentleman.
– In Cincinnati we had this week B’Bnai B’rith Convention, a golden wedding banquet, opening of the Public Library, a $25,000 excitement, a five-per-cent-commision in the Water-works — all in one week. What next?
— March 6, 1874
125 Years ago
Jottings
– The New York Jewish Orphan Asylum is quarantined because of scarlet fever.
– The Miss Emma Arnold of St. Louis, whose betrothal to a Texas jeweler was recently announced, is not the Miss Emma Arnold of Hobson kissing fame, but is another young lady of the same name.
– Last week in speaking of the number of patients received at the Hamilton County, Ohio, Asylum for the Insane, we stated that 4 were natives of Poland, Prussia and Russia; we should have said 41.
– At Peru, Ind., thanks to the initiative of Mrs. Julius Falk and Mrs. Felix Levy, Purim was observed in old time fashion with a surprise and masquerade, which, though rather an impromptu affair, was none the less enjoyable.
– In the death of Mr. William S. Rayner of Baltimore, Reform Judaism loses one of its earliest and staunchest supporters. He was the father of Isidor Rayner, one of Baltimore’s foremost citizens, Particulars can be found in our Baltimore letter.
– The New York newspapers never gave any theatrical manager more kindly encouragement than Mr. Oscar Hammerstein is receiving from them in his new venture, in the sixth theater he has built in New York City. There is nothing an American admires more than pluck, and Mr. Hammerstein has shown that he possesses it in abundance. He has refused to succumb to an extraordinarily long and trying run of ill luck, which was primarily caused by his refusal to submit tot he blackmailing system of the New York police. If good wishes can begin success his permanent prosperity ought to be assured.
Editor’s Note: This news item refers to Oscar Hammerstein I, the grandfather of the famous Hammerstein of the Rogers and Hammerstein duo. Oscar I, a cigar manufacturer, built opera houses throughout New York City. He wrote several musicals, including “Santa Maria” and “Punch, Judy & Co.” His grandson, Oscar II, would inherit his musical talent. He and his writing partner, Richard Rodgers, would go on to write “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” “The King and I,” and “The Sound of Music.”
— March 9, 1899
100 Years ago
Imported Toys
American and other countries are being flooded with German toys, tin soldiers included, and with German cutlery. Pocket knives, razors, and similar hardware “Made in Germany” are being sold here far below the actual cost of production in American plants. The reason for this is that German laborers are not being paid as much per week as American laborers are paid per day. No ingenuity of Yankee genius can compete on a labor basis with such wages as are paid in Germany, China and India. Sheffield’s hardware stories, in what was once regarded as the heart of the world’s cutlery industry, are full of German-made cutlery, underselling the home-made stuff. When a nation deliberately goes bankrupt in character, and starves its own laborers to enrich its industrial and financial powers, it can we’ll-neigh bankrupt competing industries in all over countries. — Manufacturer’s Record.
Jottings
A report is going about that the Hon. R. G. Pleasant of Baton Rouge, a former Governor of the State of Louisiana, has organized the “Men’s Party of America,” to obtain for men equal rights and privileges with women. The idea is that “men have too long been the slaves and shadows of mere woman,” and “it is about time the men of this country took some action to preserve and safeguard their rights.” Inasmuch, however, as this condition of servitude is individual and entirely voluntary, it is hardly likely that the “Men’s Party” will effect any great change.
Editor’s Note: The Equal Pay act, ensuring women were granted pay equal to men was not passed until 1963. Title IX, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender in institutions that receive federal funding, would not be passed until 1972. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act would not be passed until 1978. The Equal Rights Amendment, an amendment to the constitution which specifically prohibits discrimination based on gender, was first proposed in 1923. However, as of 2024, it has not been ratified by all 50 states and is not yet enshrined in the constitution. While white women had earned the right to vote at the time of the Hon. R. G. Pleasant’s campaign against women, Native Americans, including men and women, did not obtain the right to vote until 1924, with some states not permitting indigenous voting until the 40s and 50s. Only some women of color were able to vote after the 19th amendment was passed, but it was not until 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act, that racial discrimination was banned at the polls. Had Mr. Pleasant actually read the constitution, he would have seen that the rights of men in the US far surpassed those of women and, as such, he had nothing to fear.
— March 6, 1924
75 Years ago
March 13th Marks Grand Opening of Vividly Decorated New Junior Lounge, Gameroom
The grand opening of the new super-colossal combination game room and lounge, “The Stop-Over Lounge” for Junior members of the Jewish Center will take place this coming Sunday, March 13th, announces Miriam Stone, Director of Junior Activities.
The lounge boasts a new snack bar, new ping pong table, sanded and polished floor for dancing, scalloped window frames, plus the brilliantly colored walls and furniture which adds to the gay and charming atmosphere.
Cincinnati Social and Personal
– Mrs. Julian J. Behr is improving at Jewish Hospital.
– The parents of Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority will have a “Get Together,” on Sunday, March 13th, at 8 p.m. at the Sorority house, 346 Probasco Avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Saul Bloom and Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wolf will be hosts and hostesses for the evening.
– The B’nai Brith Business and Professional Girls are giving a paid-up membership cabaret dance at the Kemper Lane Ballroom, Saturday, March 19th. Miss Josephine Barg is chairman.
— March 10, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hersh are happy to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Mark, on March 16 at 10:45 a.m. at Plum Street Temple. There will be a Kiddush following the service.
Mark is the grandson of MR. and Mrs. Herman Hersh of Cincinnati.
– Our son, Mark Jay, will be called to the Torah to participate in services on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 16, at 9 a.m., at Ohav Shalom Synagogue, 1834 Section Road. Mark is the grandson of Mrs. Alfred Zeidman of Cincinnati and Mrs. Alex Streicher of Thousand Oaks, Calif.
We cordially invite our friends and relatives to worship with us and to attend the Kiddush following the services.
Sue and Leonard Streicher
Births
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Hertzman (Lois Simon) of Cincinnati announce the birth of a son, Craig Allen, Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Craig has a brother, Brian Scott.
The grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Simon and Mrs Chester Swillinger and the late Mr. Sam Hertzman.
— March 7, 1974
25 Years ago
More than 100 Cincinnati teens attend first Israel Rave
The first Israel Rave thrust itself onto the Cincinnati Jewish scene “with a vengeance,” recently according to Len Singer, chairman of the Israel Experience Cincinnati.
More than 100 teens from many of Cincinnati high schools were in attendance, representing Sycamore, Wyoming, Walnut Hills, Indian Hill, Seven Hills, MERCAZ and the Reform Jewish High School.
“It was a great party in a great location,” Ilana Gildenblatt, one of the committee co-chairman stated. “The Mt. Adam’s Pavilion and its beautiful view of the riverfront at night made for a perfect evening.
Live music by Jake Hodash’s Leichtman kicked off the evening; DJ Ross Brow of Rox-Cin followed.
— March 11, 1999
10 Years ago
BBYO teens made a difference for typhoon victims at Occupy the JCC
On a wintry weekend in January, nearly 120 Jewish teens fostered a sense of community at home by taking a stand for disaster-stricken communities half a world away. They gathered together at the Third Annual Occupy the JCC event, a regional BBYO “lock-in” at the Mayerson JCC in Cincinnati. The program was designed to educate and inform participants about the plight of the thousands of Haiyan Typhoon victims. In this spirit, each participant donated five dollars to disaster relief in the Philippines, raising a total of $600
Centered on social action, the teen-led weekend included a Stand Up Program, humanizing the tragedy and promoting awareness. Participants took part in a symbolic gesture, writing down the most important things in their lives on slips of paper and releasing them into buckets of water. A meaningful discussion followed about how it would feel to lose their loved ones and possessions, as so many did in the typhoon.
— March 6, 2014
