In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Foreign Intelligence
Piedmont. — The suggestions of the Chief Rabbi, Lelio Cantoni, relative to some alteration during the penitential days and Yom Kippur, were adopted by all the Israelitish communities in Piedmont. The usual penitential prayers were ordered to be read at the dawn of the day. The lighting up of the whole synagogue, as it is the custom in these countries on Yom Kippur, was almost entirely abolished, to prevent the inconvenience of heat. Several of the Piyutim were omitted, so as to allow a longer interval between each part of the service, in order that the synagogue should be entirely cleared for some time. Notwithstanding these deviations from the old system, the sacred day was kept with no less devotion than in former years.
— November 24, 1854
150 Years ago
Items
– The Sultan of Turkey spends 60,000 francs per month in wax candies for his palace.
– American sewing machines are extensively used in Jerusalem, Damascus, Aleppo, and other cities.
– According to the new military survey of the Russian Empire, the monarchy extends over four hundred thousand geographical square miles.
– Miss Sarah Ann Collins is the young lady who became famous last spring in the stigmata sensation in San Fransisco. She pricked her hands and feet so that they bled, and the deception was regarded as miraculous by many units the exposure came. Miss Collins was married the other day to a wealthy merchant who formed her acquaintance during her mock phenomena. She is very beautiful and accomplished.
– Some of the laws of Paris are worth importing into this country. In many branches of business honesty is enforced. If a jeweler sells plated or washed articles, he is obliged to label them “imitation.” If a grocer is detected selling adulterated articles for genuine, he is not only fined, but is obliged to expose a placard in his store stating the fact. Manufacturers of confectionery can only use the kinds and quantities of coloring matter prescribed by ordinances. Such regulations as these would fall heavily upon some kinds of business in this country.
— November 27, 1874
125 Years ago
Jottings
– Dr. Heidesheim, Docent at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, who became famous by his Samaritan studies, died last month in Zurich. His library was bought by the congregation and presented to the university. The value of this collection in Rabbinics and Orientalia is immense.
– Chanukah, which we celebrate this week, is unique among religious holidays, in that it commemorates a martial event, or a series of them terminating in a glorious victory, rather than a religious episode. The deliverance of Palestine from the yoke of the invader is what appeals to the modern imagination; the rededication of the Temple is after all but an episode. It is one of Israel’s most joyous holidays, and we should very much dislike to see its observance ever become less general.
– The Flower Garden, an able Yiddish paper which has hitherto been published in Pittsburg, has been moved to Chicago, where it will be issued in the future.
— November 30, 1899
100 Years ago
Jewish Woman Magistrate Performs First Marriage Ceremony
Mrs. Lalla Block Arnstein of Knoxville, first woman Magistrate of a County Court in Tennessee, has the distinction of having performed the first marriage ceremony in the State and probably in the South.
Fountain Pen’s Ancestor is Found in the Ruins of Kish
Chicago. — The ancestor of the modern fountain pen has been found in the ruins of Kish, nine miles from ancient Babylon. Word of the discovery of a five-inch stylus, the oldest known writing implement, was cabled to D.C. Davies, curator of the field museum of natural history, today. The museum archaeologists are cooperating with the Oxford university expedition in excavating the ancient city of Kish. The stylus resembles a present day lead pencil, according to the cabled description, and the writer, by twisting it in his fingers, was able to form the wedge-shaped characters known as cuneiform script, on the moist clay tablets which formed the ancient Babylonian “paper” some 6300 years ago.
Editor’s Note: Cuneiform was likely first used around 3400 BCE, making writing itself only 5300 years old at the time of the publication of this discovery. The first cuneiform was in Sumerian, not Babylonian. The Babylonian dialect probably developed around 2000 BCE. While the writing and the stylus discussed here are certainly ancient, they are not quite as ancient as the author suggests.
Jottings
– If anything were needed to make the confusion caused by the enforcement of the Volstead Act more acute, it has been supplied by Judge Soper at Baltimore, who has decided that a householder may allow cider and fruit juices to ferment for use in his home. His decision provides, however, that such cider and fruit juices shall not be sold or delivered, except to persons having permission to manufacture vinegar. The decision was rendered at the trial of Congressman John Phillip Hill, of Baltimore, who forced a criminal prosecution of himself for publicly and defiantly manufacturing cider and wine of more than one half per cent alcoholic content for his own use. Presumably the matter will go to a higher court for a final decision.
– Over 2,000 Jewish immigrants arrived last week on the steamers Mongolia, Arca, Assyria and Homeric. The majority of the immigrants are parents brought over by their children who live in the United States.
– Justice Louis D. Brandeis withdrew from the bench when the constitutionality of the New York State Kosher Law was tested in the United States Supreme Court on November 19. He will not participate in the decision of the court.
Editor’s Note: Louis Brandeis was the first Jew to sit on the United States Supreme Court.
— November 27, 1924
75 Years ago
Local protest meeting helps war widow and son keep faith in democracy
Two hundred local citizens met at the Hebrew Union College Sunday afternoon for a social gathering and protest meeting, in honor of 11-year-old Laurence Goldstein, Lynn, Mass., youth, center of recent hate attack , and his mother Mrs. Sylvia Goldstein.
The boy and his mother were guests of Dr. Nelson Glueck, president of the HUC-Jewish Institute of Religion, over the weekend. Larry was not present at the meeting but was sent out to play with Dr. Glueck’s son, Charles.
Giving a few words of welcome, Dr. Glueck pointed out the dangers at home as well as abroad in the un-American action in Massachusetts.
The Jewish War Veterans presented Mrs. Goldstein with a cerififcate of three trees planted in Israel, and the Cincinnati Knothole Club gave her an autographed baseball for Larry.
Mrs. Goldstein, responding at the meeting, indicated that those in attendance had helped her keep her faith and that the meeting represented American democracy to her.
— December 1, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Aaron P. Brown, 1531 Northwood Drive, announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Robert Keith, on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 9 a.m. at Ohav Shalom Synagogue, 1834 Section Road.
Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddish following the service.
– Dr. and Mrs. Harold B. Spitz announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Paul, on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 10:45 a.m. at Rockdale Temple. All relatives and friends are cordially invited and Kiddish will follow the service.
Paul is the grandson of Dr. And Mrs. Clarence I. Lubin and the late Mr. Felix H. Lee and of Mrs. Max (Rose) Spitz and the late Mr. Max Spitz.
– Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Klein are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Mark, on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10:45 a.m. at the Plum Street Temple.
Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddish immediately following the service.
Mark is the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. M. H. Klein and Dr. and Mrs. J. H. Sharon. No cards.
– Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Elfenbaum are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Marc, on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 9 a.m., Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Road.
Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddish following the services.
In honor of the occasion, there will be an open house that evening from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Elfenbaum home, 648 Hilltop Lane, Wyoming.
Marc is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Max Reitman of Detroit, Mich., and the late Mr. and Mrs. H.N. Elfenbaum of this city.
— November 28, 1974
25 Years ago
‘Saturday Nite Laugh’ at Ohav Shalom Dec. 4
Saturday, Dec. 4, Congregation Ohav Shalom will sponsor “Saturday Nite Laugh,” starring Rabbi Bob Alper, possibly the only practicing clergyman doing stand-up comedy — intentionally.
Alper, a resident of Vermont, was ordained at Cincinnati’s Hebrew Union College. Following his studies in Cincinnati, he became the first Jewish person to earn a doctoral degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.
His comedy career started in 1986, when he entered a “Jewish Coming of the Year” contest. From that beginning, his popularity has grown to the point that he now performs almost 100 shows per year.
He has appeared on Showtime, Comedy Central, Good Morning America, and other national venues.
— December 2, 1999
10 Years ago
Jewish Family Service’s ‘Dancing with our Stars’ event entertained a sold-out crowd
Celebrity host Jerry Springer kept the sold-out crowd entertained at the Jewish Family Service Dancing with our Stars gala as more than 500 people enjoyed an evening of dinner, dance and live-auctions. The gala took place November 8 at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza.
The event featured a friendly dance competition between seven local celebrities and their professional dance partners. To help spotlight each dancer’s performance, Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, Philanthropist Dianne Dunkelman, UC President Santa Ono, and Journalist Norma Rashid sat side-by-side on the judges’ panel to provide insightful and humorous commentary.
The Winner’s Trophy went to whichever dancer raised the most money. Bret Caller, Brian Goldberg, Kim Heiman, Sammy Kanter, Bill Katz, Kate Minevich and Brett Stern put on their best show and kicked the night into high-gear while a crowd of supporters cheered them on for the win. But the race for first place was neck-to-neck, with a tie declared between Kim Heiman and Bret Caller.
“They are all winners in our hearts, bringing in over $80,000 to help Jewish Family Service strengthen the lives of more than 4,000 people,” said Susan Shorr, the gala co-chair with Suzy Marcus Goldberg
— November 27, 2014
