In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Miracles
It cannot be denied that the miracles recorded in the sacred scriptures are the most objectionable feature presented to the critical judgment of the modern investigator, who acknowledges a superior standard of inquiry as compared with that of past ages, and those who would fain overcome this well-founded objection by classing all the possible phenomena of nature under the caption of miracles, betray in their subversion of the uses of langue an utter inability to cope with the subject. He, who would now undertake “to justify the ways of God to man” must come prepared for the task with other accomplishments than the mere flourishes of a religious bravado. Let the difficulty be fairly stated and be it remembered that it is no inglorious position, that of biblical apologist.
In the midst of the deist, the question can never arise, whenever miracles are at all possible; since his idea of a God already includes an affirmative answer. The recognition of an absolute divinity of infinite attributes, must of necessity ascribe to this being also that of omnipotence.
— November 3, 1854
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
Jeruselem—We regret to learn that an outbreak of cholera is expected in Jerusalem. Great efforts are being made in all parts of the Holy City to impede the progress of the disease by sanitary measures; and Dr. Schwarz, of the Rothschild Hospital, is circulating a pamphlet in which he dwells with great force upon the advisability of inhabitants keeping their houses and persons clean.—Jewish World.
Give Me Understanding
The playfulness of every child shows more or less the desire for understanding. The infant is attracted by the light, and would for hours, if permitted, look at it with intensity, and stretch forth its restless hands to grasp it. A few short months later, love presents the child with a doll, a trumpet or a drum, and it sets at once energetically to work to find out how it comes that the doll moves its eyes, how the trumpet and drums make that pleasing sound and the toys are pulled apart to satisfy its inquiring mind.
A few months later, and the child begins to speak, and a thousand questions are asked of its parents and nurse; it wants to know this and that, and thus it shows that the child is perfect in its human organization, for it longs for understanding, and if the parents do their whole duty, that child will grow up to man’s estate, and be a blessing to itself, to them and to society.
– HOT SPRINGS, ARK—Ten Jewish families in this place organized into a society to have dining worship during the holidays, and succeeded well; but two members revolted, in revolting language, one especially, and will be expelled, we learn. If they used the terms reported by E.L., they ought to be expelled from every decent community. If an Israelite is vulgar enough to use such slang, he ought to be branded.
— November 5, 1875
125 Years ago
It is a queer trait of human nature that people will borrow a paper that they like and approve of, but will almost invariably buy one if it abuses them or their friends. An experienced newspaper man not long since remarked that the best way to secure subscribers is to “pitch” into everybody. We have no inclination to follow his advice, but we feel that it is not without a tinge of truth, as our large subscription list would be much larger if those who borrow and approve of this paper would become subscribers. There is no harm in occasionally borrowing a paper, but doing so should not be permitted to degenerate into a habit. This is not intended for personal application, as we are ready to prove to any aggrieved reader who will address us upon the subject.
– If there was less talk of “doing the work of God,” and more real work for the benefit of man, the world would advance more rapidly. If original sin, predestination, transubstantiation, infant damnation, baptism by sprinkling or by immersion, election, etc., are the works of God which his servants are to do by preaching them, then it is better to do the works of men which help to do tangible good to mankind.
Literary
During the past year St. Nicholas Magazine, which has been for nearly thirty years the leading children’s monthly magazine of the world (and now the only one), has introduced several new departments which have been extremely attractive, and have greatly increased the circulation. One of these is “Nature and Science.” The editor of “Nature and Science” gives careful attention to every question asked by his young readers, and “We will write to St. Nicholas about it” has become the motto of the department, which contains interesting short articles, beautifully illustrated, telling of four-footed animals, birds, insects, water animals, plants and whatever pertains to nature.
— November 8, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– A National Palestine Conference has been called to meet at Philadelphia on November 29th, to make a united appeal to the Jews of the United States for $5,000,000, to be used in rebuilding work in Palestine.
– A statue of Nathan Barnet, of Paterson, N.J., was unveiled last week in front of the City Hall. Mr. Barnet is 88 years old. He went to Paterson many years ago and amassed a fortune, a great part of which he has spent in philanthropy. The best known of his gifts are the Memorial Hospital and the Nurses’ Home and the Hebrew Free School. Money for the statue was raised by public subscription. This is probably the first instance of a statue being erected to a living man.
Rumors of Clash Between Worshippers and Communists Denied
Moscow, (JTA)—Plays, concerts and lectures took the place of anti-religious demonstrations, carnivals and campaign meetings during the Jewish High Holiday season in Soviet Russia, reports from the various towns in the provinces received here state. It was declared that the anti-religious demonstrations which were ordered abrogated for the last two years were not held during this season. Even indoor anti-religious meeting were abolished.
— November 5, 1925
75 Years ago
Alfred B. Katz Elected President of Beth Am
Alfred B. Katz was elected president of the Hebrew Institute and Beth Am at the annual meeting Wednesday evening, Nov. 1. He succeeds Milton Wacksman.
Congratulations
Heartiest congratulations are extended to Mr. and Mrs. Israel Aron, on the birth of a son. To Mr. and Mrs. Paul Youkilis, on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Gary.
Group Is Selected to Outline Plan For Overall Body
Plans for establishing an over-all Cincinnati Jewish community organization have been advanced with selection of a group of individuals who are to draw up a plan for such an organization.
The method of choosing the Committee of 80 was as follows: The presidents of the “Big 4” organizations nominated the 80. The Committee of 14 reviewed the 80 names and made some revisions in the roster of the Committee of 80.
The 80 names bearing the recommendation of the Committee of 14 were read to the Community Council in annual session Oct. 30.
— November 9, 1950
50 years ago
Jewish Christian Friends Roll Away 1800 Years of Bitterness Dr. Sandmel Says in HUC Series
The fifth in the series of eight Tuesday evening Centennial Academy lectures by the HUC-JIR Faculty for the Cincinnati community will be given Tuesday, Nov. 11, 1975, on the campus.
Dr. Alvin J. Reines, professor of Jewish philosophy, will speak on “Reform Judaism-The Shock of Freedom.”
The second lecture will be by Dr. Stanley F. Chyet, professor of American Jewish History and associate director of the American Jewish Archives on “The Age of Brass: American Jewry as a Reflection of the 19th Century America.”
— November 6, 1975
25 Years ago
Wise temple students help out
The Wise Temple confirmation class recently prepared, served and participated in the Over-the-Rhine soup kitchen.
“This sort of experience gives students the ability to express their Judaism in a meaningful and fulfilling way,” said Rabbi Richard Steinberg, associate rabbi of the temple. “Modernity has provided us with great challenges, and Judaism re-focuses our lives onto what is truly important: feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, visiting the ill, etc. Our students are engaged in expressing the values and ethics of our people.”
The class worked at the soup kitchen through the Wise Temple social action program known as “Wise Up.” Wise Temple offers more than 40 different social action programs through the “Wise Up” program. More than 600 people have signed up to participate.
— November 2, 2000
10 Years ago
Adath Israel’s Sisterhood holds Annual Hanukkah Fair
Adath Israel Congregation will hold its Annual Hanukkah Fair November 22, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Judaica Shop with a special kids’ shopping 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. in the Segal.
— November 12, 2015
