In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
To Our Cincinnati Readers. — During our absence from the city, an article appeared in the Israelite, advocating among other reforms the necessity of some reform in our burial usages. The language in which the article was worded, gave offense to some of our friends, and they, of course, honored us with their reply. But at the same time others of our friends informed us, that they would reply to the rejoinder if the latter was published. Not perceiving the end of this controversy, nor the positive good effected by it, we must respectfully decline publishing, as our readers outside of Cincinnati would not take the least interest in the subject. We must beg our friends to drop the controversy and no positive good can result from it.
— June 29, 1855
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
– The Jews of Rheims have contributed 1,200 francs toward the Sir Moses Montefiore Testimonial Fund.
– May 26th, the silver wedding of Rev. Dr. Jellinek and his good lady was publicly celebrated at Vienna, and at the same time also the marriage of his daughter Charlotte to a Mr. Louis Itzelles; so it was a double feast.
– Nuremberg. — That Mr. H. Senger of Baiersdorf was appointed school master in the public school of this city, is very pleasant to our European contemporaries, and we would not disturb them in their rejoicing.
– Mr. Samuel Montagu and Dr. Asher recently visited the Jaffa Agricultural School, during their stay in the Holy Land, and contributed 10 pounds toward the funds of the institution. Workmen are engaged in making several improvements in the school building.
– For 1876, the French Assembly will vote the sum of 188,900 francs for the maintenance of synagogues. For 1875 the subvention amounts to 170,900 francs — an increase being requisite for next year on account of the recent creation of three rabbinates.
– We learn that at the present time there are 1,800 Jews in Teheran; and the number of children attending the Jewish school is about one hundred and fifty. They are instructed in the Jewish law, the Talmud, and in the French, English, Persian, Turkish, and Arabian languages.
— June 25, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– The citizens of Buffalo are desirous that as many Rabbis as possible shall attend the general conference and bring their ladies with them, as the Buffalonians are prepared to make the visit to the city a very enjoyable one for their guests.
– The new passport regulations, issued June 11 by the British government for the information of its citizens going abroad, show that there has been no change in the treatment of foreign Jews coming to Russia. Their status is the same as that of native Jews and they have no greater privileges. The rights granted by Russia to the citizens of foreign countries can be enjoyed by Christians only.
– Mrs. Frederick Nathan of New York spoke recently from the pulpit of Rev. Jenkins Lloyd Jones, of All Souls’ Church, Chicago. Her subject was the condition of the poor in New York and other large cities, and she made a deep impression upon her listeners. Mrs. Nathan is president of the New York Consumers’ League and is doing noble work in various fields of charity. She is a woman of whom the Jews can well be proud, and it is to be hoped will be heard in many cities of the country.
– Six thousand Indians are starving to death on of the Gila Reservation in Arizona, for whose relief Congress has appropriated $30,000. This sum, however, is tied up because no method for its distribution has been stipulated. The condition of these poor people is reported as most deplorable, but government red tape is too holy a thing to be interfered with, and they must die like dogs because there is not a man among the officials with sufficient courage to brush aside the stupid routine of officedom. The sum appropriated seems exceedingly small for the purpose; but what promises to be a billion and a half Congress must economize somewhere, and where can it be done better than at the expense of human beings who are suffering the agonies of starvation, and the no less horrible tortures of death from the diseases which it brings? Millions for war, but not even hundreds for the suffering humanity is the motto of the politicians.
— June 28, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– George Blumenthal, New York Banker, has given 1,000,000 francs ($50,000) to the University of Paris for use by the faculties of the departments of letters and science to develop French culture.
– The Mount Sinai Hospital of Chicago held exercises in connection with the laying of the corner-stone Sunday afternoon. The ceremonies were presided over by Judge Hugo M. Friend, and Mayor Dever and Judge Henry Horner of the Probate Court were the principal speakers.
– A resolution deploring the anti-evolution fight now going on was accepted by the Western Association of Jewish Ministers in a meeting at San Francisco. “The teaching of evolution does not conflict with the teaching of Judaism,” the resolution states. The resolution was sponsored by Rabbi Jacob Nieto and Rabbi Louis L. Newman.
– A memorial fund is being raised to honor the memory of Mr. Simon Pelser, former Superintendent of the Cleveland Jewish Orphan Home. Those wishing to donate to this purpose will please send contributions to Miss Tilda Treuhaft, Jewish Orphan Home, Cleveland, Ohio.
– The Prussian State Library was instructed by the Prussian government to despatch a valuable collection of books to Jerusalem for the library of the Hebrew University.
— June 25, 1925
75 Years ago
Cincinnatian is Ordained as Rabbi at JTS in New York
Pesach Krauss of 829 Windham Avenue, Cincinnati, was ordained and received the degree of master of Hebrew Literature, at the 56th annual commencement exercises at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City Sunday, June 18.
He received his secular education at the University of Cincinnati and Yeshiva College and has accepted the position as associate Rabbi of Temple Beth El, Cedarhurst, L.I.
Camp Hanoar Openings Available for Second, Third and Fourth Periods
If you as parents wish to see your children have a fun-filled, well-supervised summer, there is still opportunity to register your boy or girl at Camp Hanoar for the second, third and fourth periods.
Swimming in the Center pool, arts and crafts, woodwork shop and dramatics will be some of the features for boys and girls to enjoy during the summer months. A well-trained staff will be on hand to ensure a safe and wholesome stay at Camp Hanoar.
Other features will be such special events as “Hanoar Day of Fun,” “Round Robin Day,” “Everybody’s Birthday Party,” and skit presentations.
— June 29, 1950
50 years ago
Day of Fun Drew Record Crowd Here
The Jewish Community Center’s 1975 Day of Fun, held Sunday, June 15, drew one of the largest crowds ever, despite a driving rain in the early afternoon.
Clearing skies at 3:30 brought out a crowd.
There were more than 20 booths, several carnival features, food stands, kosher cafeteria for dinner, and evening bingo with prizes and the major prize drawings.
Lena Freeman won a fully-equipped Ford Granada auto.
“Many people worked very hard to make the Day of Fun a success,” said Harry S. Sudman, chairman.
All proceeds from the Day of Fun Go to the JCC Scholarship Fund, which underwrites membership and activity fees for those who would otherwise be unable to join the Center or its programs.
Social News
– Mrs. Judy Nathan Knapp graduated magna cum laude from the UC College of Pharmacy June 15. After state certification, she will join the staff of Children’s Hospital.
Judy is the wife of Mr. Harry Knapp and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nathan.
– Miss Vivian Falk, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John H. Falk, 754 Avon Fields Lane, has been named to the dean’s list at the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul.
— June 26, 1975
25 Years ago
Mercaz graduates eleven
Mercaz, Cincinnati’s Center for Conservative Jewish High School Education, held its Class of 2000 graduation ceremony on May 21 at Adath Israel Synagogue. The program was written and produced by the seniors. The students worked in pairs to interview and write about each other’s Jewish life and to focus on their strong past, present, and future Jewish identities. The program “Our Jewish Identity: Watch Us Grow” culminated with each student “planting” their partner’s picture on a branch of a tree, representing their growth.
The Mercaz Class of 2000 includes: Susan Casper, Carlos Edery, Melissa Frankel, Robert Friedenberg, Ashley Glassman, Ariella Guttman, Zachary Hiudt, David Kaplan, Aaron Solomon, Samantha Tessel, and Daniel Warshawsky.
“These students earned this special honor and ceremony for being committed to their Jewish education,” said Renee Roth. “They know how important Judaism is to them and all have wonderful futures ahead of them.”
— June 29, 2000
10 Years ago
Distinguished scholar and teacher David Ellenson to lead the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis
David Ellenson, an internationally renowned scholar of modern Judaism, has been appointed acting director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University.
“David Ellenson is a distinguished scholar of Jewish religious thought, ethics, and modern Jewish history whose research on modern Judaism has focused on the complexity of the permeable boundary between tradition and modernity,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Lisa Lynch.
Ellenson brings a lifetime of experience to the Schusterman Center. He is a distinguished academic leader, having served from 2001 to 2013 as president at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC–JIR), the oldest Jewish seminary in the United States, where he is currently chancellor emeritus.
He is also a prolific and award-winning writer on subjects that include American Jewish life, modern Jewish religious movements, religious tolerance in the Jewish State, and many modern social issues. Ellenson will assume his position as director on July 1.
“I am honored to be joining Brandeis University with its unparalleled excellence in the fields of Jewish and Israel studies. Brandeis is known throughout the world for its leadership in these and other areas” Ellenson said. “The Schusterman Center itself is surely one of the world’s leading institutions in Israel Studies. I am looking forward to being a part of it and building upon its stellar reputation and the work of my esteemed predecessor.”
— June 25, 2015
