In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Teacher and Lecturer Wanted
The Congregation of K.K. Benai Israel of Cincinnati desire to engage a suitable person, competent to deliver lectures alternately each Sabbath, in the German and English tongues; also to superintend a school. To such a one the present salary will be $1000 per annum, and if fitted for and elected to the office of Hazan, the salary will be $1500 per annum. For further particulars address the Parnass or Secretary.
Editor’s Note: The congregation K. K. Benai Israel is now known as Rockdale Temple. When adjusted for inflation, the payment the congregation was offering potential candidates would be between 37,000 – 56,000 dollars per year.
— August 4, 1854
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
– The largest room in the world under a single roof, unbroken by pillars or other obstructions, is at St. Petersburg, in Russia, and is 650 feet long and 150 feet wide. It is used for military displays in rough weather and can be converted into a ballroom at night.
– The Jews of Alsace and Lorraine have exerted themselves on behalf of the poor of the Holy Land, and even effort is being directed toward the collection of funds. Our co-religionists on the continent feel strongly on any matter concerning Palestine, and the Jews of Alsace and Lorraine are no exception to the general rule.
– A careful analysis by the chemist of the Board of Heath of New York of thirty samples of cosmetics used by the women for “beautifying” their complexions, revealed the fact that their principle ingredients were lead and bismuth. Five specimens of “lily white” turned out to be nothing but marble dust.
Editor’s Note: Poisonous cosmetics were nothing new at this point in history. Many Victorian era cosmetics were made not only with lead but with arsenic and mercury as well. This was not unique to the Victorian period, however. The Egyptian female pharaoh Hatshepsut may have inadvertently caused her own death by using a carcinogenic substance as an ointment to treat a skin disorder.
– The Univers Israelite states that a few weeks back, a young Israelite was sent to prison for one day for refusing to remove his hat while a procession was passing on its way to Notre Dame. Another young man, not an Israelite, was condemned to imprisonment for three days and a fine of sixteen francs, for giving vent to some not very complimentary expressions on the conduct of the police while the procession was passing.
— August 7, 1874
125 Years ago
An impression seems to prevail that at some time the Supreme Court of the United States declared that this was a Christian country. This impression is erroneous and is likely to be mischievous. The Supreme Court at Washington never made any such ruling, either explicitly or by implication. The doctrine of the absolute secularity of the government and of the United States, and of the country as an entity, as laid down by Washington and Jefferson, has never been departed from and is still the governing precedent. This is a good thing for writers on the Jewish press to remember.
Editor’s Note: This is still true in 2024. The United States Constitution provides for a plurality of religions in the country.
Jottings
Henry Kilbert, a Jewish merchant of Evansville, Ind., became insane over the Dreyfus case and has been sent to an asylum.
Editor’s Note: The Dreyfus Case involved a French Jewish military officer who was convicted of treason. He was a scapegoat however, and forged documents were used in his conviction. The scandal dominated the international news cycle for years, apparently driving some newspaper readers to insanity.
— August 10, 1899
100 Years ago
Jottings
– Thirty thousand dollars has been allotted by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid and Sheltering Society for the Jewish refugees in Roumania, who are facing the danger of being deported to Russia. This money is for the purpose of enabling them to proceed to Canada.
– The Union of Railwaymen of Palestine will be repressed at the International Congress of Transport Workers, which will be held shortly in Hamburg, Germany. The delegate of the union will be the Jewish labor leader, Goldin, who left for Hamburg.
– The tomb of Lenin was reopened to the public on August 1, at Moscow. Americans and other foreigners desiring to view the body of the revolutionary leader, which has been re-embalmed during the period in which the tomb has been closed, had joined one of the groups of visitors conducted by representatives of a district Soviet. Lone visitors were not permitted in the tomb and all packages, canes, umbrellas and other articles left with the guard at the entrance.
Editor’s Note: Lenin’s body was put on display shortly after his death in January of 1924. It is still on display today. In 2016, Russia’s government revealed it would spend 13 million roubles (about $200,000 USD) to preserve Lenin’s remains. That same year, 62% of Russians polled believed the remains should be buried.
– Kosher corned beef and salami sandwiches may be served in Detroit’s city parks, if the request of Louis Gunsberg of this city, head of the Gunsberg Packing Company is granted by the Detroit City Council. A request that the city take steps to provide Kosher food at the public parks, especially Belle Isle, that are equipped with cafeterias supported by the city, was made to the council by Mr. Gunsberg, who said he had been asked by a number of Jewish societies to take the matter up with the Council.
– The Jewish cemetery in the city of Hagen was desecrated by an unknown band. Only six of the graves remained undisturbed, the rest being completely wrecked. The swastika, the anti-Semitic emblem, was found strewn all over the cemetery.
— August 7, 1924
75 Years ago
Heroes of World War II
The Jewish War Veterans of Cincinnati are endeavoring to complete the list of Cincinnatians who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II.
Fred Raboff, JWV commander, phone PA 2309 by day and UN 3874 by night, asks that he be phoned by anyone having additional names.
Ohav Shalom Will Dedicate Synagog Sunday, Aug. 14
Congregation Ohav Shalom will observe a week-end of dedication on the opening of its new synagog building with special service to be held on Friday, Aug. 12 at 9 p.m., with Rabbi Rishel Goldfeder delivering the sermon and Al Herman conducting the congregational singing.
The procession of scrolls will be held Sunday, at 1 p.m. Sol Goodman will give opening remarks. A parade under police escort will be led by a band. The American Legion will raise the flag on the lawn of the new synagog and the Jewish War Veterans will present colors on the inside. Fred Raboss and Hillel Glueck will present flags.
The address will be delivered by Rabbi Greenfield. Cantor Konigsberg of New York will render the musical portion.
School is Beginning
Baseball School is conducted by Leo Arenstein three times weekly at the Center. Boys between the ages of 5 to 10 years are eligible. School is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.
— August 11, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Tessel, formerly of Cincinnati, and now residing at 5724 Ash Drive, Springfield, Va., are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Dale Alan, at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 17, at the Golf Manor Synagogue, 642 Stover Avenue, Cincinnati.
Dale is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Dennis, 1604 Pelham Place, and the late Sam Epstein.
He is also the grandson of Mrs. Anne Tessel and the late Louis Tessel.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddish immediately following the services. No cards.
Carl and Rhea
– Mr. and Mrs. Fred Goldfarb of 7765 Elbrook Avenue, announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Michael Alan, Saturday, August 17, at 9 a.m. at Congregation Ohav Shalom, 1834 Section Road.
Michael is the grandson of Mrs. Gertrude Goldfarb and Mr. Meyer Goldfarb of Cincinnati, and Mr. and Mrs. Myer Perl, of Los Angeles, Calif.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddish following the services.
– Mr. and Mrs. Fred R. Brenner, of 9099 Cherryblossom Lane, are very proud and happy to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son , Lawrence Scott (Larry), on Saturday, Aug. 17, at Northern hills Synagogue, 715 Fleming Rd.
Larry is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Wollin and Mrs. Louis Brenner and the late Mr. Brenner.
— August 8, 1974
25 Years ago
Local student to compete in JCC Maccabi Games
By Rachel Davis
Editorial Intern
This Saturday, 16-year-old Even Cohen, of Blue Ash, will leave for Rochester, N.Y., to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games. The Sycamore High School student, who will be. Junior next year, has a Second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and when he competes this year, it will be the first time the games have included the marital arts.
The competition will be open, allowing marital artists of all disciplines to compete. This means that Cohen may compete against someone who has studied other types of marital arts such as Karate.
Cohen has already competed and placed at the men’s level, even though is he still under 18. Because of his accomplishments and the permission of his instructor, Grand Master Kyong Ahn, he was allowed to compete the last two years, and he placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, at the state level.
— August 12, 1999
10 Years ago
B’nai Tzedek has a special new member
By Beth Kotzin
Assistant Editor
Doe, a deer, a female deer…or hey, it could be a male!
B’nai Tzedek (BTZ) discovered a special guest in their garden Wednesday afternoon — a fawn, curled up and cozy, enjoying the fresh air and making itself at home. It didn’t seem interested in making up a minyan, but it was sure happy to take its place somewhere at the synagogue.
BTZ has a protective area on the grounds for deer to hide, and it is believed that this little fawn was born there (Mazel Tov!), and from time to time the mother and baby are seen in this area.
BTZ is looking for a name for this little fawn. Want to take a stab at naming it yourself? Send us your choice to editor@americanisraelite.com.
— August 7, 2014
