In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Missionaries Wanted.
Wanted a dozen, or so, of zealous and active missionaries, to convert the members of the British Parliament to Islamism, Buddhism, Lamaism, Brahmanism, or any other ism. It is merely intended to save their poor souls from the church of England, and the intolerance connected with this outworn establishment.
— July 15, 1854
150 Years ago
A Noble Rabbi
In one of the Southern cities dwell forty-seven Israelite families, many of whom are of limited means, but they nevertheless, like true Israelites, have formed a congregation, engaged a rabbi and a teacher for their Sabbath School, and thus took the first great step to keep intact in their midst, the religion of their fathers, and impress themselves and their children with the great lessons of Judaism out of which grows the most affectionate family tie and the love of all humanity, which makes of the sons and daughters of Israel, the most devoted children to their parents and relatives, and the most loyal and law abiding citizens of the land.
Items
The native population of the Sandwich Islands, which belongs to the Malay or Maloyo-Polynesian division of Oceania, is fast dying out, at the terrible rate of something like 1,000 per year. Cook calculated the population of the islands in 1778 to be about 400,000. Now the native population is under 50,000.
— July 16, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz, the minister of the Johannesburg Jewish congregation, who was expelled by the Kruger oligarchy, will return to South Africa during July and reorganize his congregation
Local
Atlantic City, N.J., July 12.—Synagog Rodef Sholem, where a large number of Hebrews worship, was today broken into by thieves and robbed of a sacred scroll containing an illuminated text of the decalog, worth $1,500. The fixtures were wrecked, and the synagog looked as if a cyclone had gone through it when the thieves departed.
Secretary Isaac Gold of the congregation happened to pass the place, and discovered the rear door open. He saw four men—S. Hymen, Lewis Erotsky, John Shapiro and Phillip Gold—at work in the place, but feared to interfere with them. He hurried for the police, but the men had gone when he returned. They were arrested tonight and waived a hearing.
It is believed that revenge for a slight offered Gold when he wanted a child buried in the congregation’s cemetery a few days ago prompted the deed.
— July 19, 1900
100 Years ago
The Sabbath Breaker
We are all for the maintenance of the Sabbath institution and for measures that are likely to help that desirable end among Jews. And in order that the Sabbath observance should be regarded by Jews as a sacred obligation. It has always seemed to us here that the first essential is the conception of the Sabbath as an ethical demand. Put another way, the Sabbath has its claims upon Jews because ethics which form the foundation of our faith, can be promoted and encouraged by the Sabbath. What then, could be really a more glaring abrogation of the Sabbath spirit, the spirit that is to say underlying the ordinance of the Sabbath and which as we say is the chiefest value, then the proceedings reported to have taken place in Kovno? It appears that some sixteen Jews there decided, in consequence of not being allowed to trade on Sunday, to open their business places on the Saturday. The local Rabbinate seems to have organized a sort of pogrom against these recalcitrants. Egged on doubtless by Rabbinate imprecations, an angry group of fellow-Jews besieged the shops and threatened violence to the delinquents. The Rabbinate for its part however, exceeded the excess of the crowd. For it decided to excommunicate Jews who trade on Sabbath, and beyond that to refuse to their families wedding and burial rights, and to their children the sacred Covenant. Could anything more monstrous be imagined?
Hebrew Union College Summer School
The first summer school of the Hebrew Union College will open on July 6th, and will continue until August 25th. Courses will be given in Bible, Biblical Commentaries, Biblical History, Mishnah and Talmud, Midrash and Homiletics, Jewish History—Modern and Mediaeval, Hebrew Conversation, Jewish Philosophy, Jewish Theology and Jewish Social Studies. It is expected that the sessions will be attended by Rabbis from various parts of the country who are anxious to obtain the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Credits leading to this degree will be given to those who successfully complete their studies at the Summer School. The Faculty will be made up of professors of the College.
Achievement of Sisterhood President
Through the efforts of Mrs. Phillip Brown, president of the Beth Ahaba Sisterhood of Muskogee, Oklahoma, twenty-seven children have been confirmed. In Muskogee there is no Rabbi, nor is there a professional religious teacher. Mrs. Brown herself has assumed the superintendency of the Sabbath School, and personally prepares the children for confirmation. She reads the services, instructs the children, and with the help of a vision Rabbi, has the children confirmed. Nine children were confirmed at the last Confirmation, Rabbi David Lefkowitz of Dallas, Texas, assisting at the services. Three classes have already been conducted by Mrs. Brown, and a total of twenty-seven boys and girls were confirmed.
— July 16, 1925
75 Years ago
Dr. Heller on WCKY
Dr. James G. Heller of Wise Temple is speaking at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday in July over WCKY in the Jewish Worship Hour.
Bar Mitzvah
The [Rockdale] Congregation extends hearty congratulations and best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Sidney C. Brant upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son Joseph Brant, last Saturday morning. In honor of this occasion Dr. Recihert invited Mr. Sidney Brant, Joseph’s father, to sit on the pulpit and to read Haftarah.
JWV Auxiliary
A patio party will be held Tuesday, July 25 at 8:15 p.m., at the home of Mrs. Seymour Arenstein, 514 Camden Avenue. Members must bring a prospective member to be admitted. Non-members will be admitted by invitation only.
— July 20, 1950
50 years ago
Cincinnatians Invited to Join 10-Day, 1,000 Member Mission to Israel
“Through the creative and dynamic initiative of the UJA Young Leadership Cabinet, young leaders and aspiring young leaders of the Cincinnati Jewish community between the ages of 25 to 40 will have the opportunity of participating in a unique experience,” according to Edward M. Greenberg Jr., chairman of the Israel Missions Committee and vice-president of the Leadership Council.
Obituaries
Mrs. Dora Schimmelman, wife of the late Charles Schimmelman, passed away June 27 at Jewish hospital. She resided at the Essex House. Mrs. Schimmelman was a longtime member of ORT and Rockdale Sisterhood.
Maimi Mandeleil Golden, wife of the late Mr. Ivan R. Golden, passed away July 9 at Schroeder Manor Nursing Home in Hamilton, Ohio. She formerly resided at 7200 E. Aracoma Drive in Amberley.
— July 17, 1975
25 Years ago
Jewish community campus to be built in Blue Ash
A new Jewish community campus will be developed on a 15-acre site located in Blue Ash at Deerfield and Kemper Roads. The land will accommodate several community organizations including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Federation. Additional community organizations may also relocate to the Deerfield campus.
Miriam Peerless Woman of Valor Awards
RITSS High School has announced that two of its seniors – Leila Mehlman and Sara McSweeney – have been awarded the Miriam Peerless Woman of Valor Award. The award, named after the late Miriam Peerless, is an honor given to RITSS students who have shown kindness and compassion for others in their daily lives.
Northern Hills Synagogue celebrates 40 years
Northern Hills Synagogue celebrated the 40th anniversary of its first religious service.
— July 20, 2000
10 Years ago
Adath Israel Consecration Ceremony
On Sunday, April 26 Adath Israel Jarson Education Center Kindergarteners participated in their Consecration ceremony, Third graders participated in Siddur Dedication and the Fourth grade class participated in Torah Induction. It was a wonderful morning celebrating with family and all of our friends in the religious school. Two plays were performed, one class sang the I am Jewish song, we sang Hatikvah together and then enjoyed a delicious dessert reception in honor of the students.
Next Gen at Wise
Wise Temple’s new and innovative young adult group offers many “Shabbat experiences” for unaffiliated young Jewish adults across Cincinnati. The first few early events were hosted outside the synagogue’s walls: on rooftop decks, backyards and even the ArtWorks Garage in Northside. Since those early days, the number of attendees has doubled. Based on its growing size and popularity, starting in October, Next Gen at Wise will host their Shabbat Experience on the second Shabbat of every month in their new permanent home: Plum Street Temple.
A community of friends at URJ Camp GUCI
This week I had the chance to head back to Indiana. I travelled to Zionsville, IN, which is home to The URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (G.U.C.I.). URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) which is the umbrella organization for G.U.C.I, has fifteen camps throughout the US and Canada. G.U.C.I has been serving the Midwest since 1958. The camp spans a total of 58 acres and is home to 375 people for the summer.
— July 16, 2015
