In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
New York. — The friends of the Rev. Dr. Lilienthal in this city made another move to call a meeting of the congregation Anshe Chesed, for the purpose of retaining the doctor among them; but he informed them of his determination not to stay in New York under any consideration, hence no meeting was called.
Editor’s Note: This is a continuation of a story that has run in previous installments of From the Pages. It is a testament to how much Dr. Lilienthal’s New York congregation valued him and sought to keep him from leaving. In this installment, the paper updates us that Dr. Lilienthal was refusing to stay in New York because he was already planning to head right here to Cincinnati, where he would become rabbi at K.K. Bene Israel (now Rockdale Temple) and an editor with his friend Isaac Mayer Wise at The American Israelite.
— July 6, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– In the months of April and May, the various charitable institutions of the Hebrews of Paris received 37,345 francs from various sources.
– Among the sixteen students of the University of Rome who receive stipends of the Italian Government to finish the education abroad, there are this year four Israelites, two receive each 3,000 francs per annum, one 2,000 and one 1,000. That is a slight improvement on the Antonelli regime.
– It has been notified to Sir Moses Montefiore that Admiral the Hon. Sir J.R. Dumond, K.C.B., commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, will lend any assistance or support that may be required by Sir Moses during his mission to the Holy Land.
– The Jewish Hospital and Home was visited on June 17 by the ladies of the Flower Mission, who presented each inmate with a lovely bouquet, besides leaving a plentiful supply of luscious strawberries, which were greatly enjoyed by all who were not too ill to partake of them. This grateful mission was gracefully executed by Miss Kate Hart, Mrs. E Weil, Mrs. Alfred Allen, and Mrs. Wetzlar. The visit was one to be long remembered, and the admiration of the inmates was about equality decided between the beautiful flowers and the charming young ladies who presented them.
— July 2, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– We trust that all of our readers celebrated the Nation’s Natal Day with proper fervor and thankfulness. Being an American means more today than it did twenty-five years ago, and will mean still more to be proud of twenty-five years hence. The tendency of the nation and the people is upward toward better things, the croaking of the pessimist, lay and clerical, to the contrary notwithstanding.
– Statistics show that more children of Jews are sent to the public schools than another religious denomination. Jews support no parochial schools and patronize private schools in exceptional cases only, which shows wisdom. The public schools of practically every state in the Union give young people a vastly better education in essentials than any competing system or individual enterprise.
– The nomination of Mr. Alshuler as the Democratic candidate for the governorship of Illinois is the first instance of its kind in this country. He is the first Jew to be selected for the high place of the governor of a state. There have been a number of congressman and four U.S. senators. There has never been a Jew in the presidential cabinet, unless Judah P. Benjamin is excepted, who was a member of the Confederate official family.
– The Pittsburg Jewish Criterion is out with a Fourth of July number, with a colored and illustrated cover, of which it may well be proud. A novel feature is having the portraits of contributors appear with their articles.
— July 5, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– The conflicting claims of the United States and Canada, to Arctic lands that might possibly be discovered hereafter ought to be very easily settled by arbitration. Canada’s northern possessions extend way beyond the Arctic Circle, the northernmost point over which the Canadian flag floats, namely, Grant Land. The only land extending further is Northern Greenland, which belong to Denmark. The claims of the three countries might easily be adjusted by giving Canada and Denmark equal parts of the districts extending from their borders, and the remainder, including the North Pole itself, to the United States.
– Saturday next is the Fourth of July, the greatest of all American holidays, and the one most generally celebrated by all, young and old. It should be the real Thanksgiving Day. It marks the birth of a nation that has given all those who are fortunate enough to become its citizens, the greatest opportunities for the enjoyment, free and unhindered, of the inalienable rights of man, equality before the law, freedom of conscience and in the pursuit of happiness, each in his own way as long as he respected the rights of others. It is, therefore, eminently proper that on this day of days, all, young and old, male and female, native-born and immigrant, join in celebrating the day. It would not be at all amiss if each in his home or in his church would offering thanks to the Almighty, for the manifold blessings which we enjoy.
– The Zionist Organization of America held a three day’s meeting at Washinton, beginning June 28th. It was the most largely attended of any similar meeting in this country.
– The Washington Post declared that the Ku Klux Klan Convention in Washington on August 8 is merely a publicity stunt to bring the Klan back into the limelight and to bolster its fast reducing membership.
– State Forestry authorities have arranged with men connected with the Pennsylvania committee of the Zionist movement to send hundreds of specimens of birch, beech, ash, laurel and other Pennsylvanian trees and shrubs to the Jewish agricultural college near Jerusalem.
– One hundred and twenty delegates representing eight thousand Jewish communities throughout Germany assembled at Berlin last Sunday when the first session of the Jewish Federation in Prussia was opened. The purpose of the Federation is for the union of German Jewry in matters of financial, social and religious character.
– A Florida judge, whose name is unfortunately not given, has hit upon a new method of punishing a drunken and reckless driver, which has very much to commend it. He sentenced the man to spend 10 consecutive Sundays in jail. The punishment will not interfere with his daily work or deprive his family of his support, and it will result in keeping him and his automobile off the highways for 10 week end – made the more peaceful by his absence. If this does not effect a permanent cure, nothing else will.
— July 2, 1925
75 Years ago
Cincinnati Social and Personal Notes
– During July, Dr. Actor E. Reichert will conduct the religious services for the Board of Jewish Ministers of WKRC each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. On July 9, his subject will be “A Tale that is Told.”
– Mrs. Charles J. Kanter and son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Kanter, are vacationing at the Shore Club Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla.
– Mr. Moses Zalesky, who is leaving for a visit to Israel bids farewell to his numerous friends, as well as to the entire Jewish community, and wishes all an enjoyable summer.
– Dr. and Mrs. Neal Aronson (Shirley Friedman) have left for Brooklyn, where Dr. Aaronson will be at Maimonides Hospital in general surgery for one year. This position is preparatory to an assistant residency in neurosurgery at the Neurologic Institute of Columbia University in 1951. Mrs. Aaronson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack G. Friedman.
– Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dunvar of Bond Hill celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary Tuesday, June 20. Joining them in the celebration were their son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Alvin L. Dunbar, and their two children.
– Mr. Joseph Reis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Reis, has completed his first year in the School of Commerce and Law at Ohio State University were he is affiliated with Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. He was appointed to the office of steward for the coming school year.
— July 6, 1950
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
Our daughter, Marcia Rene, will be Bas Mitzvah Saturday morning, July fifth, 1975, at ten forty-five, and Isaac M. Wise Temple, Eight and Plum Streets.
It will be our pleasure to have you worship with us on this happy occasion and be our guests at the Kiddish following the services.
Marcia is the granddaughter of Mr. Aaron Simon and the late Mrs. Rebecca Simon, and Mrs. Martie Weiss and the late Mr. Henry Weiss.
-Sarah and Jim Weiss
Public Invited to View Shahn’s Artistry in Chapel at HUC-JIR
Selected works of artist Ben Shahn are on display in HUC-JIR’s rededicated Scheuer Chapel. A famous Shahn tapestry, “The Menorah,” is a permanent fixture in the chapel.
The exhibit includes Shahn’s work in calligraphy, lithography, photography, with his spirit of dissent and deep Jewishness. It is at the entrance of Klau Library.
JWF Needs Are Greater Than Ever, Cincinnati Doctors Are Informed
Dr. Sidney Peerless, chairman of the Doctor’s Division of the Jewish Welfare Fund campaign, called upon his colleagues to respond generously to the human needs that must be med through their participation in the 1975 campaign.
The group, meeting at Vernon Manor, was addressed by Dr. Helen Glueck, professor in the UC Department of Medicine, and Dr. Uri Nepomnyaschy, virologist, Infections Disease Division, UC Medical Center.
— July 3, 1975
25 Years ago
Construction Begins on new B’nai Tzedek Synagogue
With the sun shining and spirits high, over 100 members of Congregation B’nai Tzedek joined in celebration June 25 to celebrate the groundbreaking for their new synagogue, located at 6280 Kugler Mill Road in Kenwood. Marty Grad, co-chair of the building campaign and Jane Cohen, co-chair of the capital campaign, broke the first patch of ground to symbolically begin the construction process. Candace Kiwatek, president of B’nai Tzedek, led the group in song, and Rabbi Judy Spicehandler concluded the event with prayer and thanks to all who worked tirelessly and gave generously to bring the project to fruition.
In less than one year, capital campaign co-chairs Jane Cohen, Dr. Bernie Aron and Dr. Alex Cohen led the congregation of about 100 families to their goal of over one million dollars.
— July 6, 2000
10 Years ago
Cincinnati Hillel proactive about BDS on campus
Cincinnati Hillel has been selected as a David Project Core Partner. The David Project is a pro–Israel non–profit located in Boston that “believes that the most effective way to dispel misconceptions, enhance the students’ understanding and raise support for Israel, is by building genuine and lasting relationships across campus.”
For several months, Hillel’s Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow, Rotem Ben Lulu, has been work- ing with David Project staff Dylan Murpago to build a platform for this partnership.
The Core Partnership is the David Project’s highest level of engagement with a campus.
The David Project will provide extensive staff time and training, stipends for the interns, and grant money to support student outreach activities.
They also provide a four–day Relationship–Building Institute in Boston in August. At the institute, the students will be trained in “relational advocacy,” learning how to build relationships with diverse communities on campus and use their Israel experience to relate to their peers.
They will be taught how to determine what is important to the student leaders they are engaging and how to find common ground. They will also learn how to plan innovative programs that bring together two or more groups.
— June 2, 2015
