In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Hospital
Among the very may charitable Jewish institutions, established in Cincinnati, the present Hospital is the most important, affording, as it does, an asylum for the destitute and the sick of our community.
This institution, which was founded in July 1850, owes its origin to the indefatigable zeal of Mr. Hyman Moses, assisted by Messrs. Joseph Alexander and M.E. Moehring. The untiring exertions of these gentlemen were crowned with success.
— July 21, 1854
150 Years ago
Local and Domestic
– It must be added to the reports of the Orphan Asylum that Mr. Aufrecht was presented by the upper class with a beautiful inkstand, pen, and the other writing apparatuses; and Mrs. Aufrecht was pretend by the ladies of the board with a costly gold watch and chain. The scene of presentation was touching and the speeches beautiful. The presents are tokens of esteem and affection.
– “The first Jewish regatta in America” recently took place in Boston, Mass. The Israelites of this country are exceedingly jealous of invidious distinctions in secular matters regarding religion, and justly so, yet by their own example they are continually inviting them. There is no reason why the young men of this country should not induce in athletic sports; there is also no reason why such sports should be designated as Jewish, simply because a number of Israelites participate in them.
– A young man with a cash capital of from five to ten thousand dollars, who has a thorough knowledge of business, 27 years or age, of good address, can keep books, speaks both the English and German languages fluently, and can produce the very best of references as to character, capability, etc., desires to enter as a partner into some business; must be profitable and located in Cincinnati. Is a good salesman and will guarantee satisfaction. Address “Business,” care American Israelite office.
— July 24, 1874
125 Years ago
A queer instance of pig headedness is furnished in a recent issue of the London Jewish Chronicle, one of whose correspondents gives an account of the death and work of the late Jacob Ezekiel and studiously avoids all mention of the Hebrew Union College, of which that gentleman was one of the founders as well as the secretary from its opening day until old age forced him to retire.
Jottings
– Work of excavating and preparing for the laying of the corner-stone of the new Jewish synagog at Haverhill, Mass., is progressing.
– Rev. Israel Klein has asked the congregation B’nai Israel of Evansville, Ind., not to consider him as an applicant for election as their Rabbi.
– Space must be cheap in some Jewish newspapers, or fraudulent copper mining companies could not get half page advertisements in them and pay in worthless shares, as they do.
– The Jews of Huntsville, Ala., are putting up at $17,000 temple. The Huntsville Jewish community is numerically a small one, but in every other way as large as they grow them. Rev. Nathan Mechanic is the Rabbi of the congregation.
— July 27, 1899
100 Years ago
Jottings
Doctors report a steady increase in baldness, due probably to the fact that the hair tonic is not being put to its intended use. — Indianapolis Star.
Editor’s Note: It is quite possible that the Indianapolis Star is implying here that hair tonic users might be drinking their tonic rather than applying it to their scalp. Hair tonic had a rather high alcohol content and this snippet is dated to about four years after the start of prohibition, during which the procurement or imbibing of alcohol was prohibited.
– The Independent Order B’nai B’rith was among the prominent organizations that went to the assistance of the Jews who suffered in the Lorain disaster.
Editor’s Note: On Saturday, June 28, 1924 an F4 tornado swept through the towns of Sandusky and Lorain, Ohio. To date it is still the deadliest tornado in Ohio history with a death toll of 85.
– During March, 1924, 907 immigrant Jews entered the country and 22 emigrant Jews left the country. During April, 1924, 644 Jews entered the port of New York.
– Marked success in the treatment of tuberculosis with the fumes of chlorine gas was announced by officials of the Los Angeles Sanitarium, officially known as the Jewish Consumptive Relief Association of California. The announcement was made by Max Stern, eastern manager of the Los Angeles Sanitarium.
Editor’s Note: This was a popular theory around this time. Even President Calvin Coolidge, who suffered from respiratory issues, underwent chlorine treatment at least once. Several doctors promoted the use of the gas, though studies on its efficacy did not report convincing results. This makes sense, as chlorine gas is a chemical irritant. Its use today is considered a war crime.
— July 24, 1924
75 Years ago
Israel, Syria Armistice Is Announced
TEL AVIV (JTA) — Foreign Minister Moshe shared formally announced in the Knesset that Syria and Israel have concluded an armistice agreement.
He emphasized the importance of the pact, both from a political and strategic point of view, and noted that this was the last armistice treaty to be signed with the Arab states which attacked Israel last year.
Problems of a geo-political nature were raised at the negotiations with the Syrians, Mr. Sharett continued, because the Syrians occupied a territorial strip along Israel’s northern frontier extending across a waterline which previously was in Israeli territory by virtue of a former international boundary. Israel’s armistice negations steadfastly refused to entertain the Syrian claim of holding territory beyond the waterline area, the Foreign Minster stated, and the Syrians finale yielded.
Social and Personal Notes
– Mr. Isaac M. Wise, 415 Edwards Building, Cincinnati 2, Ohio, will be pleased to receive from readers anecdotes relative to the Dr. Isaac M. Wise Farm at North College Hill, especially those relating to Dr. Wise and his family.
– Miss Sally Goldfarb of 4003 Red Bud Avenue has just returned from Pasadena, Calif., where she has been studying at the Pasadena Playhouse. Miss Goldfarb recently won an audition at NBC Los Angeles and will return to Los Angeles in September to appear on NBC programs.
— July 28, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Goldgarb are proud to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jeffrey Robert, on Saturday, July 27 at 10:45 a.m., at the Plum Street Temple.
Friends and relatives are invited to worship with the familiy and join in the Kiddish after the services.
Jeffrey is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Max Goldfarb and Mrs. Rose Roth and the late Samuel Roth.
TM Gains Popularity Here, Says Miss Stern
Many people who read the article on Transcendental Meditation (TM) in The American Israelite a few weeks ago are now enjoying the benefits that the read about — more energy, more clarity of thinking, and an overall improvement in life, Maureen Stern reports.
“The results have been attained so quickly,” she says, “because TM is a simple, natural and practical technique that can be practiced by anyone for a few minutes morning and evening.”
— July 25, 1974
25 Years ago
JCC holds annual meeting, presents Kovod Society Award
Every year, the Kovod Society Award winner is a surprise announcement at the Jewish Community Center’s annual meeting. This years recipient was Jack Goodwin.
The award was presented by Diane L. Slovin and Mark Weisser, co-chairmen of the JCC’s Kovod Society and the 1997 recipients of this prestigious award which honors community leaders for their outstanding service to the Jewish Community Center of Cincinnati.
“In the three years that Jack Goodwin has served on the JCC Board, he has made quite an impact,” Slovin said at the meeting.
— July 29, 1999
10 Years ago
Wise Temple visits Israel
Sixty-eight members and friends of Isaac M. Wise Temple joined ARZA and Da’at Tours for an incredible ten days in Israel from June 26 through July 6. Beginning in Tel-Aviv, their tour began with the story of Israel’s Independence and the ten years before and after 1948 which set the stage for the Modern State.
The first Shabbat service was in the port of Tel Aviv with the leadership and musicianship of Beit Tefillah Yisraeli, a nondenominational, egalitarian Jewish community. This special service was followed by a Shabbat dinner, shared with members of Wise Temple’s sibling Reform congregation in Cincinnati’s sister city of Netanya.
After Shabbat, the tour continued toward Rosh HaNikra, Tel Dan, and a few nights’ stay at the guest house at Kibbutz K’far Blum on the lovely Jordan River. Stopping at Tzfat, the congregation made its way toward Jerusalem for an absolutely- breathtaking afternoon view of Jerusalem from Hebrew University and one of its look-out spots.
— July 24, 2014
