In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Foreign Intelligence.
Russia. — A distinguished literary character, Mr. Mandelstamm, has been appointed by the Russian Government to superintend the moral and scientific education of the Jewish population, in the place of Dr. Lillienthal, who left for America some years since. Besides a good translation of a part of the Jad hachasakah of Maimonides, Mr. Mandelstamm has published excellent school-books, a new translation of the Bible, and a Hebrew grammar. All these works have been published at the expense of the Government.
— June 15, 1855
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
– At Warmburn, a watering place in Silesia, a hospital for poor Jewish patients from abroad has been erected.
– The old Portuguese Jewish cemetery at Rotterdam is being actively examined, and many valuable ancient tombs and monuments have already been discovered.
– M. Cremieux has accepted the position as honorary president of the committee of the Portuguese congregation of Paris, and promised to promote, with all possible energy, the erection of the temple. He also subscribed 5,000 francs for that purpose.
Local and Domestic
– A physician who has about $6000 to invest wishes to enter into some respectable business. Address inquiries to Office, American Israelite.
– We have received back numbers from Isaac Wittelshofer, Owensboro, Ky., and I Feldman, Nashville, Tenn., for which they will please accept our thanks.
— June 11, 1875
125 Years ago
American Zionists’ Annual Convention
New York, June 10. — The third annual convention of the Federation of American Zionists was begun in this city today. The meeting was called to order by Rev. Dr. S. Schaffer, of Baltimore. The reports showed that there are now 185 Zionist societies throughout the United States, with a total membership of about 10,000.
The report of the Propaganda and Publication Committee was presented by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, rabbi-elect of Portland, Ore. He recommended the establishment of an official organ of the order, to be published monthly or bi-monthly. He also recommended the erection of a Zionist Book Concern. He further suggested the organization of a great pilgrimage to Palestine. Addresses were delivered by Rev. H. Pereira Mendes and Rev. Mr. Seff, of Vienna.
A letter was read from Max Nordau, dated Paris, May 18. He said that he was glad to learn of the progress of the Zionist movement in America, which was what he had expected of American Judaism.
Notice:
All persons having letters of the late Dr. I.M. Wise will greatly oblige the publisher by sending them to this office, so that copies of the same may be made. The originals will be returned at once.
Leo Wise & Co.
— June 14, 1900
100 Years ago
Excavations at City of David
London (JTA) — The Palestine Exploration Fund announces that the Treasurer of the Fund, Colonel Sir Charles Close and the Honorary Secretary Dr. E. W. G. Masterman, have left for Palestine and will confer in Jerusalem with the Rev. Garrow Duncan who is in charge of the excavation at the City of David (assisting Professor Macallister. Sir Charles Close will also look into the financial position so that he may report to the Executive Committee with regard to the summer campaign of excavation. Only a hundred pounds remain. Sir Charles Close and the Honorary secretary are commissioned by the Executive Committee to arrange, if possible, with the Rev. Garrow Duncan, that the new excavations should have as their special objective the location of the Western Wall of Ophel, bordering upon the Tyropoeon Valley. The line of the north wall and of the eastern wall in pre-Hebrew times has now been demonstrated, but no sure remains of the western wall are known although there are some surface indications. It is a matter of considerable importance to clear up this point and if this summer’s excavation reveals a powerful Jebusite wall to the west of Ophel, it will be a satisfactory result. It is hoped a new season’s work may be such as to encourage subscribers to come forward in greater numbers and with more liberal support for further work at this extraordinarily interesting and historic site.
Jottings
– The twenty-eighth annual gathering of the American Zionists will open in Washington on June 18th. It will be addressed by United States and Great Britain government representatives.
– Governor Martin has approved the act of the 1925 Legislature, which requires daily readings of the Bible in the public schools of Florida. Readings once daily are required under the measure, but no sectarian comment is permitted. Although teachers are required to make monthly reports of the readings, no penalty Is provided for failure to comply what the law, the Senate having stricken out that part of the measure.
— June 11, 1925
75 Years ago
Highest Award of UC Is Given to Dr. Jacob Marcus
Dr. Jacob R. Marcus, the Adolph S. Ochs professor of Jewish History at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, received the highest honor that is awarded by his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, at graduation exercises Friday evening, June 9.
The honor was that of the honorary degree of doctor of laws.
“The reasons are manifest why your career as a scholar and a teacher and your creative historical contributions have led to your alma mater’s highest honor, the degree of doctor of laws,” said Dr. Raymond Walters, UC president, in conferring the degree.
Dr. George B. Barbour, dean of the UC College of Liberal Arts, in presenting Dr. Marcus for the degree, said, in part:
“Last year he was elected president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. As Adolph Ochs professor of Jewish history at Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Marcus has pioneered in the field of historical research to the point where he leads the vanguard.
“The four authoritative books form his pen are standard works. His was the first required course in American Jewish history introduced in a major academic institution. The American Jewish Archives at Hebrew Union College were his creation, and the scholarly contributions which today carry that imprimatur own their appearance to his inspiration.”
Social and Personal Notes
– Stanley J. Aronoff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin I. Aronoff, 1096 Sunnyslope Drive, president of his class at Walnut Hills High School, has graduated there, cum laude. He will enter Harvard University this fall for pre-legal studies. At Walnut Hills, Stanley played leading roles in dramatic productions. He also was president of Wise Temple Junior Congregation.
– Mr. Alan Rosenberg of Cincinnati has been named the outstanding student of the year at Bowling Green State University. Mr. Rosenberg was editor-in-chief of the year book, and was president of Alpha Phi Omega. He received the Sigma Chi award during ceremonies honoring the outstanding students of the year.
— June 15, 1950
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
– Our daughter, Cheryl Lynn, will be Bas Mitzvah Sunday afternoon, June the 15, 1975, at 2 o’clock, at Ohav Shalom Synagogue, 1834 Section Road.
We will be pleased if you join us on this joyous occasion. Cheryl is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Harris of Cincinnati and Mr. and Mrs. Max Rose of Sidney, Ohio. No invitations were sent.
-Betty and Bud Harris
– Anita R. Lenk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert H. Lenk, will celebrate her Bas Mitzvah on Saturday, June 21, at 10:45 at Temple Sholom, 3100 Longmeadow Lane.
Anita is the granddaughter of Mrs. Helmuth E. Schurgast and the late Mr. Schurgast and of the late Dr. And Mrs. Richard Lenk.
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Richards are happy to announce that their son, Douglas, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, Saturday, June 14th, at 9 o’clock, at Northern Hills Synagogue.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the luncheon following the service.
Doug is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. David Richards of Griffith, Ind., and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Finkel of Lincoln. Neb.
– Mr. and Mrs. Ira Schwartz are placed to announce the Bar mitzvah of their son, Steven Lawrence on Saturday morning June 14, at 10:45 at Temple Sholom.
Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with the family and join them in the Kiddish luncheon immediately following the services.
Steven is the grandson of Mr. Irving N. Schwartz and Mr. and Mrs. Monroe R. Stiebel.
– Mr. and Mrs. B. Wiliam Kaiser are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Peter Craig, on Saturday, June 21, at 9:00 a.m. at Golf Manor Synagogue.
Peter is the grandson of Mrs. William Oscherwitz and the late Mr. Osherwitz of Cincinnati, Mrs. William Goldblatt and the late Mr. David Kaiser of Boston, Mass.
Friends and relatives are invited to worship with us and join us for Kiddish.
— June 12, 1975
25 Years ago
JCC Offers One-Week Major League Soccer Camp
The International Major League Soccer organization is offering its Soccer Camp for the first time this summer at the Jewish Community Center. This new one-week soccer camp is open to the entire community and is scheduled the week of July 24. All boys and girls entering grades two to nine are encouraged to participate. Professional soccer coaches from England will conduct the camp, using the Major league Soccer child-centered coaching format.
More advanced techniques will be shared with the older players. Attitude work focuses on the psychological component of “creating winners from within,” and training encompasses body preparation and physical conditioning. The English coaches develop participant awareness of game-strategy, decision-making, positional sense, and tactical aspects of the game.
— June 15, 2000
10 Years ago
HUC-Jewish Institute of Religion launches the Class of 2015
The Cincinnati community celebrated the ordination of nine new rabbis setting out to serve the Reform Movement and the Jewish People at Ordination Services at Plum Street Temple on Saturday, May 30, 2015. Newly ordained rabbis Aryeh E. Ballaban, Dana Andreana Benson, Leah Alexandra Citrin, Nathan George Farb, Michael E. Harvey, Rachael Elyssa Jackson, Frederick Alan Kamil, Ariel Gilad Naveh, Marina Alayna Tecktiel Yergin will be setting out to congregations and communities throughout North America. In their new settings, these dedicated young Jewish leaders will be sustaining the spiritual, educational, and cultural lives of Jews of all generations, engaging them in lifelong learning, worship, social action, and Jewish continuity.
— June 11, 2015
