In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Foreign Intelligence.
– Magdeburg. — Doctor Philippson announces, the rabbis except one, and among them Fassel and Landsberger, declared that a Get sent by mail from America has legal power in all respects.
– Posna. — At the late election of city representatives three Jews were elected, so that they are now represented in the city council by ten men of their faith.
— March 11, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– Isaac J. Levison, agent of this paper, is visiting all the principal towns on the Erie Road, and will also make a stay in New York City. Our friend are respectfully required to give him all the aid possible in facilitating business.
– An ingenious wife in Des Moines cured her husband of snoring thus: She has a gutta-percha tube with two cup shaped ends; one she puts over his nose and mouth, the other over his ear. He consumes his own noise, as a stove does its smoke, and wakes up instanter.
– Turkey and Russia are said to be quite preparing for war against each other. Turkey is purchasing cannon and pushing the construction of railways, and Russia is rebuilding Sebastopol, making all the men of he empire liable to military duty, and adding iron monsters to her Black Sea fleet.
– In Marysville, California, the other day, a Newfoundland dog walked into a market, dropped a ten-cent piece out of his mouth, and walked off with a whole salmon. The butcher says some folks may call that dog intelligent, but he thinks that a dog that can’t distinguish between a ten-cent slice and a $5 fish hasn’t got even common sense.
Foreign Record.
– At the University of Breslau there are no less than fourteen professorships held by Jewish scholars.
– The inhabitants of Jerusalem are generally in want of rain, but it has showered so much during the last two months that several hours have fallen to pieces and been washed away.
– Italy. — An attempt is being made to re-establish a rabbinical college at Padua. Offerings have been made in many synagogues with a view to its support.
— May 8, 1874
125 Years ago
Illinois needs a new constitution and Chicago needs a new charter, and both could easily be had if the individual voter had half-sense, or if the politicians were not all scamps. With the proper kind of constitution and charter, half of the evils now afflicting the city and Sate could be swept away at one fell swoop, always providing that honest and competent men could be secured to act as public servants. But it won’t be done; the ruling classes will continue to supinely repose over a seething volcano — and then, dear me! will be so surprised to discover there has been discontent among the masses. Thus it has ever been, and experience has not brought wisdom. Well, things will last our time, and after us — the deluge.
Jottings
– Montifiore Congregation of Cairo, Ill., has become a member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
– A building permit for a brick temple has been issued to the Indianapolis Hebrew congregation. It is to cost $20,500.
– The original capital of the Pennsylvania railroad was $250,000. The system on its fifty-third birthday presented an investment of $900,000,000. Last year it carried 71,000,000 passengers.
– The students of the Episcopal General Theological Seminary at New York are protesting against the excessive study of Hebrew, which they claim is forced upon them beyond reason and to their detriment.
– The project of building a fire-proof structure at Rochester, N.Y., to take the place of the frame building now used by the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, has been abandoned for the present, as the time is not considered opportune.
– One of our readers wants to know what has become of Jaeger, the ex-Rabbi, who became a convert to Christianity. Our impression is that he is dead. If one of our readers will give us more definite information, we will be very much obliged.
— May 11, 1899
100 Years ago
More Bible Proof
Another proof of the historicity of the Bible is now furnished by Professor Kyle, who headed a research expedition which explored the lower region of the Dead Sea. This is the first time that this region has been scientifically explored, and the yield, startling as it may seem, confirms the Biblical accounts of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The significance of this discovery and Dr. Kyle’s statement becomes clear when it is remembered that for a long time not only Bible critics but also our modern rabbis had maintained a doubting attitude and an apologetic position toward the Sodom and Gomorrah story. — Jewish Ledger
Editor’s Note: Dr. Melvin Kyle is only one of many who believe they have found the remains of Sodom/Gomorrah near the Dead Sea. However, modern archaeologists do not believe that there are any clear indications that the sites excavated by Dr. Kyle and others are in any way related to a biblical location. Even recent articles claiming to link Dead Sea sites with the Gomorrah narrative have been shown to use fraudulent evidence and manipulated imagery.
Store
Those who were brought up in the West End during the past 70 years will note with regret the passing of the old store on Fifth street, near Park, where they bought their school books and school supplies. It was known as Rosenberg’s at first and later as The Pioneer. It was not a large store, as stores go these days. Nor was it a glittering store. It flourished outside the business district, in a neighborhood of homes. The neighborhood changed several times; the old families left and newcomers entered, and they left and another generation came in. But the old store held the esteem of each generation. Its owners branched out and opened a new store on Sixth street near Elm, which still is operated. The old store sustained itself successfully 70 years on character alone in its quiet neighborhood, off the beaten track of commerce. Cincinnatus knows no better example of the magnetic force of character. — Cincinnati Post.
— May 8, 1924
75 Years ago
Cincinnati Social and Personal
– Mr. Shiel Dunsker was honored at a testimonial dinner Wednesday evening, May 4, at the Hotel Sinton, on the occasion of his 20th anniversary as circulation manager of and his 30th anniversary of service with the Cincinnati Post. He was the recipient of a gift and numerous messages.
– Mr. Lester A. Jaffee was a member of the Nominating committee for election of officers of Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Cincinnati. The election and 50th anniversary dinner were held Wednesday, May 4.
– Chi Sigma Delta sorority entertained at its spring formal of a Mardi Gras ball at Mariemont Inn Saturday evening, May 7.
– For the eight consecutive year, The News Record, University of Cincinnati weekly, has won “all-American” rating in competition among 364 campus newspapers judged by the Associated Collegiate Press. Mr. Sam Schapiro is editor and Mr. Henry C. Segal is technical advisor of The News Record.
– The Couples Club of Ohav Shalom Synagog will sponsor a hayride and dance at Handle Bar Ranch, Sunday night, May 22. Couples will meet at 8:30 p.m. at the Synagog, Burnet and Hickory Avenues, and drive out together. A nominal fee will be charged for admission, the ride, and refreshments. Barn and social dancing will follow the hayride.
— May 12, 1949
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
Dr. and Mrs. Sanford Scheingold are happy to announce the forthcoming Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Marcy Ann, Saturday, May 18, at 10:45 a.m. at Temple Sholom. A Kiddish will follow the services.
Marcy is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Scheingold and Mrs. Mark Frank and the late Mr. Frank.
Bar Mitzvah
– Dr. and Mrs. Robert Portnoy are happy to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Geoffrey Alan, Saturday, May 11th, at 9 a.m., at Northern Hills Synagogue.
We will be delighted to have you worship with us and join us for the Kiddush following the services.
Geoffrey is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Portnoy of Forest Hills, N.Y., and Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Augustus of Chicago.
– Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Zimmerman are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Stephen Isaac, on Saturday, May 11 at 10:45 a.m. at Temple Sholom, 3100 Longmeadow Lane.
We will be delighted to have you worship with us and join us for the Kiddish immediately following the services.
Stephen is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Israel Lahman and Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Zimmerman, of Washington, D.C.
– Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Marvin Lerer are happy to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Harry Licht, on Saturday, May 18 at 9 a.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads. Harry is the grandson or Mrs. Harry Licht and the late Mr. Harry Licht; and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lerer.
We look forward to friends and relatives worshiping with us on this joyous occasion.
— May 9, 1974
25 Years ago
Jewish community celebrates Yom Ha’atzmaut
By Ellen Finkelman
Editorial Assistant
A blue and white “Welcome to Israel” sign hung on the entrance to the Jewish Community Center, Sunday, April 25. It was Yom Ha’atzmaut, and the JCC was transformed into a mini-Israel. In the Negev there were camel rides and sand art. There was a tzedakah box decoration in Sefat, an outdoor market in Tel Aviv, an indoor market in Beer Sheva, face painting in the Jerusalem shuk, and in Haifa, a 3-D filmstrip about Israel. Approximately 1,000 people attended.
Children received a complimentary T-shirt, which was stamped in each “city” they visited. In addition to the cities, they could visit a petting zoo or watch The Great Scottini at the Kids Kibbutz, learn geography at the huge magnetic map of Israel, help build a modern Western wall, play dodge ball or jump on the moonwalk in the gymnasium.
— May 13, 1999
10 Years ago
New Director of Community Security Mark Dowd believes firmly in “Open Community, Open Eyes”
By Beth Kotzin
Assistant Editor
When the Foundation and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati decided it was time to hire a dedicated Director of Community Security, Mark Dowd fit the bill perfectly. A Virginia native, Dowd went to William and Mary Law School with the express purpose of joining the FBI — and he spent 27 years on the job, fighting terrorism for the last 15 years of his service. He retired from the FBI shortly before taking on this position Cincinnati.
With Dowd’s level of experience, the Foundation and Federation knew they found the right man for the job. As Director of Community Security, it is Dowd’s goal to work with every Jewish facility in Cincinnati to help them review and upgrade their existing security plans.
— May 8, 2014
