In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
New York. — The friends of the Rev. Dr. Lilienthal in this city made another move to call a meeting of the congregation Anshe Chesed, for the purpose of retaining the doctor among them; but he informed them of his determination not to stay in New York under any consideration, hence no meeting was called.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Lilienthal was refusing to stay in New York because he was already planning to head right here to Cincinnati, where he would become rabbi at K.K. Bene Israel (now Rockdale Temple) and an editor with his friend Isaac Mayer Wise at The American Israelite.
— July 6, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– The last congregations heard from as having joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, are of Lafayette and Fort Wayne, Ind. The attendance at the council in Cleveland on the 14th, we expect, will be very large.
– A second communication from Shreveport, La., informs us that the president of that congregation will be preset at the Council at Cleveland, to represent that respectable body. We are glad of the opportunity to see him there.
– It is strange, indeed, that more than two thousand years ago, the Jews of Palestine had sense enough to prohibit the keeping of dogs within the city limits of Jerusalem, and also in most other large cities, as is recorded in the Mishna; and we hearing year after year of the most dreadful of cases of hydrophobia have not sense enough to prohibit the keeping of dogs within the limits of the cities and corporate towns. The dog, except the watch dog in solitary homes, and the shepherd’s dog, is the most useless of all quadrupeds. He is of no use to any body, and dangerous to all. The hunter’s dog is only a little more ferocious and barbarous than Esau himself. It will take a few years more before man will have enough of common sense to take care of himself.
Editor’s Note: Hydrophobia is associated with rabies. The editor here is claiming that the cases of hydrophobia result from dog bites that cause rabies. We at the American Israelite wish to distance ourselves from this 150 year old opinion. We are exceedingly pro-dog here at the office, and indeed many of our staff dogs visit the office and are welcomed with never-ending pets when they do. Our beloved staff dogs make an appearance in our upcoming Pet Issue, coming July 18.
— July 3, 1874
125 Years ago
The merry music of the revolver is heard in the land. Pause to listen for a moment and from all points of the compass its report is to be heard. A four year old infant shoots its two year old sister; a doctor shoots and kills a reputable citizen over feeding a horse in an alley, both being over fifty years old. Jealous lovers shoot their sweethearts and then kill themselves; almost anybody will shoot at a fleeing man, and then want to know why he was running away; a fifteen year old son of a college professor commits suicide with a revolver, and leaves word to care for his bicycle and never mind what is done with his corpse. To hold life cheaply seems to be the fashion of the day. Revolvers are to be found lying about loose in our homes, and every third male over sixteen years carries one habitually. Such is Christian civilization.
Jottings
– Joseph Goldstein, chief Cantor of the Vienna Jewish community and a well known composer of synagogal music, died suddenly. He was born in Keeskemet in 1838.
– “The Shofar,” Louis Lipsky editor, is the latest addition to American Jewish journalism. It is published at Rochester, N.Y. The initial number is a substantial one and gives promise of good service to the cause.
— July 6, 1899
100 Years ago
There is absolutely no need of Jewish young women immigrants becoming dependents or slaving in a sweatshop or factory. If they can do no better, they can take up domestic service, especially in the homes of relatives of “Landsleute.” Here they could earn a minimum wage of at least ten to twelve dollars weekly, have their maintenance and practically no unavoidable expense, except perhaps for clothes. Any ambition woman could save enough in a year to keep herself for another year, during which she could devote herself to getting schooling that would fit her for some congenial employment. Domestic service would, of course, somewhat impair her social status, and perhaps lessen her chance of making a “good” marriage, but else drawbacks would be but temporary, and could be overcome.
Jottings
– Texas is to have a third Jewish newspaper, namely, The Jewish Record, to be published in San Antonio, Texas, with Alfred N. Sack as editor.
– Survivors of the days of the covered wagon can best appreciate a crossing of the continent between dawn and dusk. In that time a wagon train might move 10 miles.
– Congregation Beth-El, of Milwaukee, Wis., dedicated a fine new temple last week. The Congregation is Conservative. Its spiritual leader is Rabbi Eugene Kon, a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York.
– According to an Associated Press report from New York, dated June 27, “The Appellate division of the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the conviction of Harry Weinberger, theatrical producer; Rudolph Schildkraut, actor,” and 11 other performers of having presented “an immoral” play. After conviction by a jury in Genera Sessions in May, 1923, the producer and actors were fined $200 each by Judge John P. McIntyre. Production of the play, “The God of Vengeance,” a year ago, stirred a storm of discussion, some critics holding it of high artistic merit.
Editor’s Note: “God of Vengeance,” a play written by Sholem Asch in 1906, is still considered a controversial play. It explores themes of morality through the lens of queerness and sex work. The original production, described here in 1924, featured the first same sex kiss between two female actors on the American stage. This is no doubt part of the case against it as “an immoral play.” “God of Vengeance” has been reproduced many times since its publication and is always met with both praise and criticism. It is considered an important part of Yiddish theater history.
— July 3, 1924
75 Years ago
Dr. David Philipson Is Mourned Widely; Summoned at 87
Dr. David Philipson, dean of the American Reform rabbinate and a rabbi of Rockdale Avenue Temple in Cincinnati for the past 61 years, died Wednesday morning, June 20, at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He would have been 88 years old this Aug. 9.
David Philipson was born in Wabash, Ind., Aug. 9, 1862, the son of Joseph and Louisa Freudenthal Philipson. The family moved to Columbus, Ohio, and it was from the latter city, at the age of 13, that he came to Cincinnati to enter the newly established Hebrew Union College.
It was the beginning of a friendship with the late Isaac Mayer Wise, HUC founder, which ended only in the latter’s death in 1900. Dr. Philipson was ordained in 1883, in the first class to be graduated at the College, and went on to a 66 year rabbinical career, faithful disciple of Isaac Mayer Wise.
Dr. David Philipson wore the mantle of Isaac Mayer Wise courageously, intelligently, faithfully, throughout his 66 years as rabbi. He was the true and devoted spiritual son of his longtime friend, teacher and colleague, Dr. Wise, and he carried off indefatigably where the founder of the Hebrew Union College left off.
There are few instances indeed in which a congregation and its minister have the good fortune to dwell together in peace and friendship for 61 years. He and Rockdale knew that joy. Dr. Philipson never tired of relating the pleasure which he found in confirming and marrying members of three generations of many families of his congregation.
May the memory of his life be for blessing!
— July 7, 1949
50 years ago
Golf Manor Synagoge Bazaar Aides
This photo shows Paul Solomon and Marvin Weisberger, co-chairmen of the 70th annual bazaar of Golf Manor Synaoguge, being admonished by Mrs. James (Shirley) Magbero, to have plenty of space available for her home-cooked delicacies, which will be the highlight of the afair.
The Bazaar will be on Sunday, July 14, from 4 to 10 p.m.
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jacobson are pleased to announce that their son, Barry, will be called to the Torah to participate in services on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah, Friday, July 5, at 8:15 p.m., at Congregation B’nai Yeshurun, Plum Street Temple, Eight and Plum Streets.
Friends and relatives are invited to join the Kiddish, immediately following services.
— July 4, 1974
25 Years ago
JCC Camp Teatron to present “Fiddler on the Roof”
Camp Teatron, the Jewish Community Center’s 6 week performing arts day camp, will present “Fiddler on the Roof” this summer.
The community is invited to attend evening performances at the JCC on Tues., July 20 or Weds., July 21. Both performances begin at 7 p.m.
Teatron is a day camp for JCC members entering grades 3 through 6. The camp includes exercises and improvisational games to help campers become comfortable on stage, learn to establish their character and improve their acting skills. Campers learn songs and dances, and develop and rehearse their summer show.
Allyson Wacksman Jacob is director of the JCC Performing Arts Camps and the JCC Youth Performing Arts Coordinator.
— July 8, 1999
10 Years ago
Dr. Gary P. Zola to receive teaching award from the College of Charleston
Dr. Gary P. Zola, Executive Director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives—located on the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion—will receive a teaching award from the Office for the Academic Experience & First-Year Experience (FYE) at the College of Charleston. During the Spring, 2014 semester, Dr. Zola served as the Norman and Gerry Sue Distinguished Visiting Professor of Judaic Studies at the College of Charleston.
According to the FYE office, Dr. Zola was nominated by a first- year student for his outstanding service and for enhancing the quality of life for the student during the first year at the College of Charleston. The student wrote that, “I want to recognize Dr. Gary Zola, the professor of my Southern Jewish History (JWST 315) course. He truly cares about the success of his students, both in the classroom and out, and is always available to assist at any hour of the day. In all my years of schooling I have never gotten to know a more dedicated instructor.”
— July 3, 2014
