In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Foreign Intelligence
Anhalt Bernburg. — The chief rabbi of this duchy, Dr. Herxheimer, translated the Bible in German, some years ago. The Protestant Consistory of the duchy found that version so excellent that they procured a copy for each Christian clergyman under their dominion.
— October 27, 1854
150 Years ago
Local and Domestic
– Received of Mrs. Leo W. Silberman, Pomeroy, O., $5.00 for the Cleveland Orphan Asylum. Thanks!
– Grand Rapids, Mich. — Rev. E. Gorechter, of Detroit, Mich., has accepted the call from the congregation of Grand Rapids, Mich.
– Quincy, Ills. — Mr. Henry Friedman of Springfield, Ohio, has been elected by the Congregation B’nai Sholom of Quincy, Ills., to fill the position of Shochet, Teacher, etc.
– Mr. Arthur B. Ancker, until recently the traveling agent and correspondent of the American Israelite, has left this city to accept a position with T.J. Foster & Co., of Uniontown, Ala. Our friends of Uniontown will find in Mr. Ancker a genial and conscientious gentleman who will prove an acceptable addition to the business and social circles of the town.
A Card: The Union of American Hebrew Congregations
The Bibles printed for the U.A.H.C. are now ready for delivery. In accordance with the action of the Executive Board, orders will be filled only from congregations that are members of the Union, or from persons residing in places where there is no congregation. The price of one dollar for each copy must invariably accompany the order. When the Bibles are to be sent by mail, eleven cents additional for postage for each copy must be forwarded.
-Lipman Levy, Secretary.
— October 30, 1874
125 Years ago
Bible Class
There was a very large outpouring of ladies at the session of the Bible Class, Tuesday afternoon, the large assembly room of the Union Jewish Sabbath School being quite filled. Dr. Philipson began the study of the prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem, and devoted the hour to the opening chapter of the book.
Jottings
– Jewish Sunday services were held in London for the first time on October 29, at the Cavendish Rooms, Mortimer Street, near Cavendish Square. The leader in the new departure is Hon. Oswald John Simon.
– President McKinley’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation this year is without a word that can give offense to the members of any religious denomination, though it is expressive of fervent piety and a firm belief in God. It is model of good taste.
– A congregation has been formed by the Jewish residents of Honolulu. The first Jewish services ever held in the Hawaiian Islands were those held during the autumnal holidays this year.
– There is a communication in this office for Rev. E. Friedlander, formerly of Montreal, which we cannot deliver as we do not know his present address. Will he or some friends please send it to the publishers.
– The finest music in New York, says the Herald, is heard in the Hebrew synagogs, where some of the best voices are culled from the pick of the Christian churches, and where the music is most elaborate, broadly effective, and almost operatic in its style. The next best is heard in Dutch Reformed churches, where they have not only superb singings, but pay good salaries and give great and artistic attention to selecting well harmonized voices that in quartet and choral work produces delightful results.
— November 2, 1899
100 Years ago
Illness Fatal to Albert Loeb
Father of Young Loeb Dies in Chicago — Strain Too Great
Chicago, Oct. 27. — Albert Loeb, Vice President of Sears, Roebuck & Co., and the father or Richard Loeb, who with Nathan Leopold, Jr., kidnapped and killed Robert Franks, died shortly after 9 o’clock tonight at the family home here. Mr. Loeb had been ill for many months. His doctors feared that the shock of his son’s confession in the Franks case and the subsequent court proceedings which resulted in life sentences for the two youths would prove more than Mr. Loeb’s weakened constitution could stand and he was taken to the family’s summer home at Charlevoix, Mich. He had returned from Charlevoix about two weeks ago.
Jottings
– A bomb explosion next door to a synagogue in Swansea, London, resulted in wounding 23 persons. The explosion occurrent in a solicitor’s office and those injured were taken to the hospital. No casualties, however, occurred in the synagog. The worshippers in the synagog consider their escape a Yom Kipper miracle.
– Early next year the Zionist flag will be hoisted on the fleet of the new American Palestine Line, whose ships will run for commercial purposes between the port of New York and Jaffa in the Holy Land. The ships will sail under the American flag and will be owned by the Zionist corporation, the president of which is Municipal Court Justice Jacob S. Strahl of Brooklyn.
– The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America will undertake next year to distribute portable “succahs” for the proper observance of the “Succoth” festival despite the untoward conditions of apartment house life in modern American cities. These contrivances are made of canvas and may be set up almost anywhere. This year, for the week of the festival, Rev. Herbert S. Goldstein, president of the union, made use of such a portable “succah” which he set up on the roof of the building in which he occupies an apartment. The investor of the contrivance and the union expect by means of this to restore the observance of the festival to its one time virtue among the Jews of this country.
— October 30, 1924
75 Years ago
Ballroom Dancing Starts Nov. 12 For Juniors
Social ballroom dancing classes for boys and girls 11 through 14 will begin Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Rosedale Dance Academy will supply the instructor.
The fee for 10 lessons will be $7.50, or 75 cents per lesson. Classes will be held every other Saturday from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served and a social dancing period held after each class.
All children wishing to register should do so at once by calling Rosalyn Chudnof, UN 7800. Registration fee for the class is $2.50., with the balance due later.
Know Your Center: The Good Times Club
Formed eight years ago for the purpose of entertainment and social activity for elderly members of the community, The Good Times Club meets twice a month at the Jewish Center.
The Club’s business meetings are lively and stimulating. The members elect officers, set up committees, and plan programs.
They hold regular social gatherings where they play games, hold contests and musicales, and serve refreshments.
Mr. Sol Blank, president of the club, extends a standing invitation to all youngsters over 60 to join the Good Times Club and help it really provide its members with a good time.
Ed Davidson, Center staff member, and Miss Jeanette Hermanson of the Jewish Family Service Bureau, work with the club.
— November 3, 1949
50 years ago
Bas Mitvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Kurd D. Steiner, 1723 Jay Street, New Orleans, La., take great pleasure in announcing the forthcoming Bas Mitzvah of their daughter Marci Lynn, Nov. 8, at Beth Israel Synagogue, New Orleans, La.
Marci is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Max Steiner of Cincinnati and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Skolnek of Altoona, Pa.
– Our daughter, Jani Lynn, will celebrate her Bas Mitzvah on Saturday morning, Nov. 9, at 10:45 a.m., Temple Sholom, 3100 Longmeadow Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jani is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Cohen.
On this joyous occasion, we would be pleased to have all our relatives and friends join us for worship and a Kiddish to follow.
Sandy and Harry Silberman.
— October 31, 1974
25 Years ago
Mayerson grant nurtures Eden
At its October 31 Open House, Cedar Village will introduce the community to the Eden Alternative. The Eden Alternative is a new philosophy that brings a warm and caring resident/tenant-centered environment that nurtures the human spirit in keeping with Jewish values and the Cedar Village philosophy of CARE. With the addition of plants, pets, music art and the laughter of children, Cedar Village will provide residents with opportunities for spontaneity in daily activities as well as companionship, compassion and a continuing sense of self-worth.
The Eden Alternative at Cedar Village is being made possible with a grant from the Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation. The funds will be used for staff, resident and family education, for purchasing pets, plants and equipment, and for helping children become part of the everyday life of Cedar Village.
— October 28, 1999
10 Years ago
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati honors founders and celebrates unique history
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC) honored its three founders and celebrated the organization’s unique history at a reception on Sunday, October 12, 2014. The organization’s three founders, Dr. Edward Herzig, Michael Oestreicher and Edward Marks, were those honored.
The first Jewish cemetery in Greater Cincinnati dates back to 1821. Since that time, 26 Jewish cemeteries have been formed in Hamilton and Butler Counties. JCGC was incorporated in 2004. Recognizing that many of the forming congregations had ceased to exist, similar problems faced all the cemeteries, and that the leadership base was aging, a small group of community leaders embarked on a multi-year study of these issues with the leaders of these cemeteries in the late 1990s. Ultimately 22 Jewish cemeteries determined that it was in their mutual best interest to create a new, merged organization, JCGC, which would assume responsibility for the perpetual care of the existing cemeteries and the creation of such new cemeteries as will be necessary to serve the Jewish community’s future needs.
— October 30, 2014
