In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
No Leader
We would gladly wield our pen on behalf of Israel and its sacred cause. We have so much to say, that volumes would be incapable of containing our feelings and views. Our heart is full of zeal for the sacred cause of Israel, for progress, enlightenment, education, union, peace, harmony, the elevation of our synagogue, the improvement of our scholastic institutions and a thousand other things, so that we shall never suffer from the usual editorial complaint of having no theme for a leader. But we are literally crowded out of the Israelite. Our friends are so kind, and the Israelite has succeeded so well in arousing the sentiments of our community in favor of Judaism, that no space is left for our humble productions. Men who never before wrote, or manifested any interest for the cause of Judaism, send us well written articles, and we consider ourselves bound to make room for our friendly contributors.
— November 10, 1854
150 Years ago
Moses Mendelsshon’s Arguments on Immortality of the Soul
In the first Friday evening lecture of this season, Dr. Wise discussed Moses Mendelssohn’s arguments on the Immortality of the Soul, as laid down by that philosopher in his “Phoedon,” and his Hebrew commentary to the Book of Ecclesiastes. The lecturer said, although it was his intention merely this winter, to investigate, how the main problems of ethics and theology could be solved from the standpoint of “The Cosmic God,” as established in last year’s course, he would prefer reviewing first what others had said on the important question of individual and self-conscious immortality, before he would give his own solution of the problem; because this is a starting point for all the coming lectures of the course, as in the last year’s cycle the five lectures on mind formed the basis to all the others.
The Holy Land
Herr Baedeker has lately published his handbook for travelers visiting Syria. We translate a few items. The synagogues in Galilee between the third and sixth centuries are characterized by their peculiar architecture. They are square in form, and the interior is divided into five naves by colonnades. The massive columns have architraves of stone. The roof is of wood, and the whole ornamentation, especially the cornices, is very rich. The two last inner supporters of the north-end of these synagogues invariably consists of square pillars.
Foreign Record
Glasgow—The Hebrew community in Glasgow has of late increased with such rapid strides that the present synagogue is found quite inadequate to its requirements. To the recent development of the clothing trade in Glasgow, as well as other causes, are attributed to this influx of co-religionists. During the past holy days, the synagogue was heavily crowded, and in a temporary place of worship, where about one hundred and fifty were assembled, many were unable to find accommodation.
— November 12, 1875
125 Years ago
– The football season seems to be progressing quite auspiciously. A number of deaths have already occurred and the more or less serious injuries are, no doubt, in the customary proportion. It is not easy to say anything new on this much discussed topic, either pro or con; but, parents whose sons have been killed or crippled will probably wonder if the last word upon the propriety of the game as now played has really been said.
– The duty of the rabbi first of all is to his own congregation; but, that need not prevent him from creating for himself an influence among non-Jews, and especially with his brethren of the Christian pulpit. Jews need not be taught that their own religion and they need elevation in their congregational life; but, they also require cultured representatives to the non-Jewish community. Refinement and education are not so generally credited to the Jews that they can afford to hide under a bushel a measure what they have.
– NOTWITHSTANDING that this is so materialistic an age, there still remains wide-spread religious sentiment among the people of all forms of faith. No reference is made here to the innumerable men and women with whom religion is a custom. Superstition or fetish; the world always has been and probably always will be full of such blind, unthinking believers. Aside from these, however, the religious sentiment is vastly more prevalent among earnest and intelligent seekers than unbelievers willing to admit. All forms of faith are still imbued with sincere belief, and it must be a very superficial believer who fails to see this.
— November 15, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– Among the 1,221 new students who were admitted this year to the various higher educational institutions of Warsaw, there were only ninety-nine Jews.
– Jewish immigration to Palestine during the month of October has kept pace with previous months. About 4,000 immigrants entered during last month, according to figures published here.
– Complaint is made in Palestine that the Jewish schools there are not receiving their proper portion of the sum appropriated to education from the public funds. The claim is made that the Jewish schools are receiving about three percent of the appropriation in Jerusalem, while they constitute about thirteen percent of the population, also, that while the schools in which the language of instruction is Arabic are being subsidized, the Jews are being left to provide for Hebrew schools at their own expense.
— November 12, 1925
75 Years ago
Philip Meyers Is Associate Chairman of JDA Executive
Philip Meyers, Cincinnati businessman and civic leader, was elected associate chairman of the Executive Committee of the Joint Defense Appeal’s National Council Sunday, Nov. 12, in the closing sessions of the three-day Council meeting at the Hotel Netherlands-Plaza, attended by 400 delegates.
Sidney S. Moyer, of Youngstown, Ohio, was named national chairman of the JDA Council, top post of the Joint Defense Appeal.
Book Month
Jewish Book Month, which has enriched Jewish community life for nearly a decade, is being observed this year throughout the nation from Nov. 3 to Dec. 3.
Under the leadership of the Jewish Book Council of America—sponsored by the National Jewish Welfare Board—the month has continued to flourish and gain wider acceptance. Some 2,000 Jewish organizations in 500 communities across the country are sponsoring exhibits, lectures, forums, symposia, plays, book fairs, radio and television programs.
Young and old youth and adults, even toddlers in nursery schools will be part of the celebration.
— November 16, 1950
50 years ago
Survivors from Nazism Invite Community to Hanukah Dinner
Mrs. David Levine and Mrs. Joseph Schneider, co-chairmen of the annual Hanukkah dinner and dance, invite the Jewish Survivors form Nazism and friends to a carted dinner and dance Saturday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. at the Jewish community center.
Bar Mitzvah
Dr. And Mrs. Mark Hits (Nancy Sue Gordon) announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Gary, Saturday, Nov. 15th, at Tiferes Israel Synagogue, in Morristown, Pa.
Gary is the grandson of Mrs. Bernie Gordon the late Mr. Gordon, both of this city, and Mrs. J. William Site and the late Dr. Hite, both of Boston.
— November 13, 1975
25 Years ago
Israeli general: ‘We must keep trying’
“I believe both the Palestinians and the Israelis would very much like to see an end to [recent violent clashes between them],” said Brigadier General Oded Ben-Ami Monday morning, “the only way to end it is to negotiate, and the only to negotiate is to sit down and talk.
However, he admitted it’s unlikely any of that will be happening soon.
Ben-Ami, in Cincinnati on a tour sponsored by Israel Bonds, gave a briefing Monday morning at the Bankers Club downtown to a group of community leaders invited by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.
“We wanted to share wit the general community our perspective on Mideast issues,” said the JCRC’s Michael Rapp.
Mayerson honored for helping the disabled
Manuel D. Mayerson was honored at Children’s Hospital Medical Center at the Second Annual Circle of Life Awards Dinner Oct. 5 for his work helping g people disabilities.
Nearly 500 people, including Gov. Bob Taft, recognized Mayerson for his support of programs at Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Among Mayerson’s contributions are initiating the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children and funding the establishment of the Cincinnati Children’s Treatment Center of Hematology and Oncology. He also established the Inclusion Network and other service programs to help people succeed despite limitations.
— November 9, 2000
10 Years ago
Zell Schulman to retire from The American Israelite
Zell Schulman has been a household name in the Jewish Community of Cincinnati for nearly seven decades. Zell grew up in Covington, Kentucky, and would accompany her father, Harry Sharff, to the farmer’s market every weekend. She learned about good fruits and bad fruits, vegetables, meats and poultry. Her father was a wonderful cook, and her mother loved to entertain.
— November 19, 2015
