In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
To the Editor of the Israelite:
Rev. Sir—As you spontaneously offer the pages of your paper, whenever they are needed, I avail myself of the opportunity of making a few remarks without further preface in the fervent hope that you will not be offended by the statement of truth.
In your journal of the 10th August and continued in No. 17 of the same month like a problem is proposed for solution, namely, “Does the Canon Law permit Ladies to sing in the Synagogue?”
This question like many others of your editorials, which you propose and also defend, and the manner in which they are conducted come with a bad grace*; particularly from those whose profession imposes on them the duty of imparting spiritual instruction. But why ask a question, to which you have replied by word, act and deed; you have been (as a member of the Beth Din of Cincinnati) most active in the formation of a choir including ladies, your influence has been the means of inducing the congregation to adopt your scheme, hence it may be presumed, as already determined, particular as you logically contend, that as the orthodox admit, “The custom of Israel is law” in like manner they must also admit, that ladies have and do sing in our most respectable Synagogues.
— September 21, 1855
150 Years ago
Freemasonry in the Holy Land
It may not be uninteresting to English Freemasons to learn that there has existed a Masonic lodge at Jerusalem ever since the year 1873. It was established by Dr. Morris of the United States, who procured a charter from the Grand Lodge of Canada. Its title is “Royal Solomon Mother Lodge,” No. 293 of Jerusalem. One of the motives set forth by the founder for this undertaking is the beneficial influence that Freemasonry would be likely to have upon the morals of the people. “The people,” he says, “are all torn to pieces with strife and discord. The Moslem hates the Jew, the Jew hates the Christian, the Christian hates them both. They seem born only to worry and devour each other. One would scarcely think they are children of a common parent. There seems no way to bring them together in peace and harmony, except through Freemasonry.”
Foreign Record
Russia—In Russia, as known, there exists a Society for the Promotion of Culture among the Jews, the members of which are, of course, co-religionists. From the annual report lately published it appears that the funds collected are chiefly employed in the support of the efficient elementary schools, which are not as numerous as might be wished. The society also provides schools which stand in need thereof, with school-books and subsidizes deserving students at Universities.
— September 17, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– The fight going on in New York between the managers of the Yiddish theaters and the actors’ union is affording considerable amusement to the community and easy topic for the reporters. The excitement is great for awhile, then dies down, only to flame up again with fresh vigor when something new happens to agitate the Hamlets and Lady Macbeths. An incident of this kind occurred last week when the “Patricia” came in with twenty Romanian knights and ladies of the sock and buskin on board. They were met with threats and entreaties by the representatives of the actors’ union, who beseeched them to go back Romania. Of course they did not go. No one who has the misfortune of being born in Romania and then the good luck to get away ever does go back.
– The great days are again before us. The congregations all over the world are making active preparations for the celebration of the religious season which along has potency to attract the great numbers of the household of Israel to their allegiance. And therefore as this time even if at no other, the thoughts of the Jews, even the lax and indifferent, are busy with reflection upon the happenings that have affected their co-religionists for weal or for woe during the past twelvemonth. Unfortunately, the cup of woe is still full to overflowing in a number of the districts of the world.
—September 20, 1900
100 Years ago
5686—Rosh Hashanah—1925
Many changes have taken place in the religious life of Israel during the past generation; customs at one time considered all-important and all-essential are honored in the breach rather in the observance; practices universal in an earlier day and deemed to be as the very life blood of the religion have fallen into desuetude; our latter day interpretation of the relative worth of the eternal and the transitory elements in religion has laid emphasis on the content of Judaism rather than the form, and has placed the chief stress on the prophetic ideals; values have changed and some things that bulked large on the horizon of our forefathers are almost unknown to the present generation while other things that to an earlier day seemed of little import have been invested with significance by this latter age.
Jottings
– Labor Day has come to take on a significance not originally intended as the day when people end their vacations and go home to get to work.
– The ISRAELITE is in receipt of an invitation to attend the dedication of the new Liberal Jewish Synagog in London on September 13th. Inasmuch as the invitation did not reach this office until September 14th, the editor was unable to attend.
– The National Crime Committee spokesman has fallen into the mistake of exploring some of his fads, notably the contention that 60 percent of the crime in large cities is due to foreigners which he makes in a reply to Dean Pound, of the Harvard Law School, who advises cautious proceeding on the part of the Committee. Many a good movement has been damaged by the poor judgement of faddists who make asserting they cannot prove, especially about foreigners and such.
— September 17, 1925
75 Years ago
Board of Rabbis Issue Statement
The Board of Rabbis of Cincinnati has issued a message, voicing the hope that humanity may be spared another world war; denouncing Communism as Fascisms’s equal peril; and pledging all-out support of America’s stand against further aggression by Soviet Union forces.
The statement follows:
“Before the Second World War, from 1933 onward, we were among the first to recognize the peril to the entire world involved in Nazism and Fascism.
“We understood that by their very nature they were destructive philosophies and programs of action, rejecting and striving to destroy religion, scornful of democracy, believing that their destiny was to conquer the world and enslave all mankind to the cult of the state and of utter subservience to a dictator.”
Arm and Disarm Germany
Daily newspapers of the past Sunday contained two items that may or may not be related—depending on your memory and your optimism regarding Germany’s “reform.”
One of the items announced that Frankfurt, Germany, once had 33,000 Jews (before Hitler); that 400 survived; that those 400 have recently dedicated a new Synagogue, built to accommodate 1,000 and hence too large for its congregation.
The other item announced that the western powers are debating the question of whether or not Germany should be re-armed; that France isn’t ready to approve the proposal; that the threat of Russian attack gives impetus to the idea of re-arming Naziland.
— September 21, 1950
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Our son, Brian Frederick Rowe, will be Bar Mitzvah Saturday morning, Sept. 27th, at 10:45, at Rockdale Temple, Ridge Rd., at Cross-County Highway.
It will be our pleasure to have you worship with us on this happy occasion and be our guests at the Kiddush following the services.
Brian is the grandson or Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Herrington an Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bernstein.
Bas Mitzvah
Our daughter, Pamela Sue, will be Bas Mitzvah, Saturday morning Sept. 20, 1975, at 10:45 a.m. at Rockdale Temple, Ridge Road.
We cordially invite you to worship with us and to attend the Kiddush following the services.
Pamela is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Abrams and of the late Mrs. Mary Foxman.
Joseph S. Stern Jr. Re-Appointed to The Library Board
Joseph S. Stern, Jr., president of the J.S. Stern Jr. & Co. investment advisors, has been reappointed by the Hamilton County Commissioners to serve a third seven-year term as trustee of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The appointment runs to September 1982.
He has been a trustee since 1961 when succeeded Judge Oliver M. Dock. He was elected vice president in 1974 and re-elected this year.
Mr. Stern is adjunct professor of business administration at UC.
— September 18, 1975
25 Years ago
Proud to be Jewish at Gore/Lieberman rally
A crowd of approximately 2,000 waited patiently on September 12 in the parking lot of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College see Vice President Al Gore and running mate Senator Joe Lieberman during their campaign stop in Cincinnati. Members of the Cincinnati Jewish community were among those who braved on and off showers to attend the rally. Sprinkled throughout the crowd, some wore kippot and others wore dark blue and white buttons printed with the words “Gore/Lieberman” in Hebrew Letters.
— September 21, 2000
10 Years ago
The secret history of the West End
Join us in the Mayerson Hall on the historic campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC) to enjoy an evening uncovering the secret history of the West End! Come and learn from local historians and authors, who will share the details and their perspective on one of Cincinnati’s oldest and most diverse neighborhoods.
— September 17, 2015
