In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Jewish Hospital. — The trustees of this institute for the city of Cincinnati have bought a lot and two houses, corner of Betts and Cutter streets, 77 feet front and 95 deep. The houses on it will be used temporarily for a hospital, until the society will be enabled to build.
— May 4, 1855
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
– A synagogue is being erected in the Rue de la Regence, Brussels, which, it is stated, will be of a very simple style of architecture. About two years ago the Jewish community of Brussels offered to replace the temple of the Augustines by a very handsome building, for which they promised not to spare any expense. The government, however, declined the offer.
– Prof. Lazarus of Berlin has initiated a collection among private individuals for the purchase of the library of the late Dr. Geiger for the Jewish University at Berlin. The collection reached 3,300 marks, which was supplemented by a donation of 3,000 marks from the Berlin Jewish community. This is the third library of deceased Jewish Savants, which has been acquired for the Jewish University, without trenching on the funds of the institution.
— April 30, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– Memorial services for the late Rabbi Isaac M. Wise were held in Temple Emanu-El, New York, Sunday, April 29, report of which reaches us too late for publication in this week’s issue. We hope to present it next week.
– The reminiscences of Isaac M. Wise, which he wrote in German for the Deborah a number of years ago, are being rapidly put in shape for publication and will appear shortly. Our readers will find them intensely interesting.
– Rev. Dr. Maurice J. Harris of New York has issued an appeal to American Jews to establish a Jewish relief fund for the Indian sufferers. As there is a national effort being made to aid the famine stricken East Indians, in with all, regardless of religious affiliations, are asked to help, it would be most unwise for Jews to set on foot an independent movement. In fact, the people would look upon it as a bit chauvinistic self-advertising, and just so. Dr. Harris’s appeal will hardly met with a ready response.
— May 3, 1900
100 Years ago
Confirmation Lists
Shabuoth this year falls on Friday, May 29th. In most congregations it is Confirmation Day. The Israelite will, as it has done heretofore, publish the lists of confirmands that are sent to it in its issues of May 14 and 21. Those desiring the publication of such lists should send them at as early a date as possible and not later than to reach this office by May 18.
Jottings
Chairman Johnson of the House Immigration Committee professes to be highly pleased with the restriction law that bears his name, particularly with the number of deportations, a circumstance which illustrates very forcibly the queer mentality of the statement from the Far West. A man who can be so influenced by narrow prejudice and hatred of foreigners is hardly a proper representative of the American people in the National House of Representatives.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Johnson introduced H.R. 7995, a bill which limited immigration by enforcing quotas based on the nationality of immigrants to the United States. The bill became the Johnson-Reed Act after President Coolidge signed it into law in 1924. The number of immigrants to the United States was lowered to 165,000, though that number would later be adjusted to 150,000. Immigrants from the Western Hemisphere had almost no restrictions, whereas Japanese immigrants were essentially barred from the country. Russian Jewish immigrants were also deeply impacted by the law, with many Jewish immigrants opting to go to Palestine instead of the United States. The Johnson Reed Act was lauded by Adolf Hitler in the late 1920s for its power to rid the West of foreign populations. The law was eventually reversed when Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Naturalization Act into law in 1965.
– The Clericals, who are working so hard to introduce religious instruction in the public schools, pay no attention to the undoubted fact that the men and women who have been educated in the public schools, as they are, have made just as good citizens as those who got their training in the sectarian and other private schools. We know from experience that this may be truly said of our own people. Those educated in the public schools are not only as good as citizens, but as good as Jews in any other class, and perhaps in some respects, better.
— April 30, 1925
75 Years ago
Full Recognition Is Given By Britain to State of Israel
LONDON. — The British Government announced Thursday, April 27, the de jure (full) recognition of Israel.
At the same time, Britain announced recognition of the act of union (of Monday, April 24) between the Kingdom of Jordan and those parts of Arab Palestine under Jordan control.
The two announcements were “a major move” to promote political stability in the Middle East, said Benjamin Welles in the New York Times, Friday, April 28.
The British-Israeli relationship was established on a limited de facto basis January 29, 1949 but their diplomatic contacts have been virtually normal.
Cincinnati Will Welcome JWB Convention
The 1950 biennial convention of the National Jewish Welfare Board will open Saturday night, May 6, at the Netherland Plaza.
The objective of the convention, scheduled to continue until Monday, May 8, is to chart a course that will help the American Jewish community meet, with foresight and wisdom, the challenges and needs that confront it, it was announced.
The convention program includes:
Dr. Karl Menninger, world famous psychiatrist, speaking on the “Roots of Happiness for the Individual American Jew;” Marx Leva, assistant secretary of national defense, “Maintaining World Peace,” and other topics of that general nature.
— May 4, 1950
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Dollin announce that their daughter, Laurie Ann, will be honored as a Bas Matzvah on Friday, May 9th, at 8:15 p.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith.
Their friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with them on this happy occasion and to join them at the reception immediately following the service.
Laurie is the granddaughter of Mrs. Louis Stillpass and the late Mr. Stillpass, and Mrs. Ben Dollin and the late Mr. Dollin.
Plant Fair to Aid City of Hope
Left to right: Mesdames Howard Richshafter, James Miller and Tom Sherman, who are in charge of Sarah Deutsch Chapter of the City of Hope plant fair on Fountain Square Thursday, May 8 (with a rain date, Friday, May 9).
The photo shows some of the plants to be sold between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be a wide variety of small house plants ranging in price between 50 cents and $4. These will include ivy, ferns, spider, piggyback, and some flowering plants such as begonias and geraniums.
Proceed will benefit City of Hope Medical Center.
Remember Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11th, and buy your plants on Thursday, May 8th, at the City of Hope Plant Fair, the committee urged.
— May 1, 1975
25 Years ago
Rockdale Temple nursery school students celebrate Passover Seder
Outside of the reception hall at the Rockdale Temple, the sound of little voices chanting “Let My People Go” could be heard as the nursery school students celebrated the school’s first annual Passover Seder.
Gathered with their parents and teachers, the nursery school students, ages three to five, were led in a kid-friendly Seder conducted by Dr. Meryl Goldman, Director of Lifelong Learning.
“We wanted students to have a vernal understanding of the traditions associated with Passover,” said Ruth Coppel, director of the nursery school. “The kids participated in Passover related programming during the school week, with the Seder as the culmination of their studies.”
The children were shown the process of making yeast rise and explained the significance of eating matzo at Passover. Other highlights of the Seder included a bag full of “plagues” including a plastic frog, cotton balls to represent the hail, red confetti to represent the blood and self-stick dots to represent the boils.
“My kids loved the Seder and all of the preparation leading up to Passover,” said Dara Abel, a nursery school parent. “They are looking forward to sharing the traditions that they learned at school during our family Seder,” said Abel.
— May 4, 2000
10 Years ago
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Conference held in Cincinnati
The Women’s League For Conservative Judaism’s Great Lakes Central Region conference was held in Cincinnati from April 19–21. Women’s League is the parent organization for conservative Sisterhoods throughout the world. Over 55 women from Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Wisconsin came together to socialize, learn and grow spiritually. This year’s conference co-chairs were Susan Farber of Congregation Etz Chaim and Debbie Lempert of Adath Israel.
The women had the opportunity to attend workshops that ranged from membership, sharing successful programs, tonal modes in our prayers, and using social media. They also had the opportunity to hear several presenters, including Rabbi Debra Prinz, nationally recognized author, as well local presenters, Fran Gafvert from Jewish Family Services, Tony Fairhead from Childhood Food Solutions, Fanchon Shur from Growth in Motion, and Michal Raucher from Hebrew Union College. The attendees were also treated to a wonderful presentation by Kim Heiman about the lack of religious pluralism in marriage in Israel. She presented a serious topic but added humorous props to lighten the mood.
Congregation Etz Chaim Planning Trip to Israel
This past Friday night, over 100 people joined together at Congregation Etz Chaim to welcome in Shabbat with a ruach filled service. Congregants and Hebrew School students took turns leading prayers and the Chaverim M’Israel introduced themselves and shared their background making Israel come to life. Before an Israeli style Shabbat meal everyone sang Hatikvah and the passion in the room was tangible.
— April 30, 2015
