In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Parties in Europe and America
It is plain fact that the number of parties in Israel is daily increasing. Instead of the uniformity of worship, that formerly prevailed in the synagogue, numerous alterations are at present introduced in the houses of worship. Instead of the uniformity of religious views that reigned fifty years ago, we have now to record the greatest divergency of religious opinion on this side of the Atlantic, as well on the other side of the Ocean.
The result certainly is quite a different one in the new and the old world. We in America, in this blessed country of unlimited religious liberties, are not interfered with by the government in any way or shape. The state politically ignores the Church; the former does not meddle with the latter, as long as the latter does not encroach on the province of the state, and thousands of sects may spring up unnoticed, the state has nothing to do with them. The Jews enjoy the same advantages as well as the other the other denominations, as persons dissatisfied with the mode of worship, as carried on at present in the synagogues, either may belong to no congregation at all, or may associate and form new ones.
— November 24, 1854
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
When the late king of Portugal was at Amsterdam he paid a visit to the Portuguese Synagogue, and when reading in the Committee-room the names of the founders of the congregation and benefactors to it, he is said to have exclaimed with surprise: “All these names are the names of my peers and nobles!” How many of the Spanish and Portuguese nobles are descended from Jewish blood?
Local and Domestic
Dr. J Mayer, the author of the book “Phares and Meere,” etc., will please send his address. Friends who know of his whereabouts are welcome to inform us. Office AMERICAN ISRAELITE.
— November 26, 1875
125 Years ago
– It will be surprising if Prof. Felix Adler does not cease altogether from speaking well of the Jews, for every time he does so a large section of the Jewish press and pulpit at once announces that is about to recant the principles he has so long been advocating and is on the verge of return to the faith of his fathers. Now, it would be very strange indeed if Prof. Adler should not often find occasion to laud Judaism, as his own system is all Judaism with the exception of a personal God, and that portion of the faith that reform has also cast aside. With the example of our more radical Jews before him, it would be strange should he deem it necessary to desert Ethical Culture to return to Judaism. Or is he expected to return to orthodoxy?
– The Jewish community of Kai-Fung-Foo, China, continues to be a subject of great interest. The Chinese troubles have directed attention anew to this peculiar sect of Jews who have lived for centuries in the heart of the celestial empire. Mr. Marcus N. Adler presents an excellent historical resume of the whole subject in the October number of the Jewish Quarterly Review and Mr. Elijah Solomon of Bombay, India treats the same theme interestingly in a pamphlet entitled “Jews in China and India.” A school of the law belonging at one time to this community was exhibited at the Paris Exposition as a great curiosity.
— November 29, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– The League of Nations is about to sponsor an international students’ conference, at which Jewish students will also be represented.
– The Polish Ministry of the Interior sanctioned the use of Hebrew and Yiddish at public gatherings of Jewish citizens of the Polish Republic.
“Falastin,” an Arab newspaper in Jerusalem, devotes a leading article to the question of a union between Palestine and Syria, the gist of which is expressed thus: “The Arabs will not oppose such a plan if the League will create a united British mandate embracing Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, thus eliminating the economic frontiers between these countries. In such an Arab atmosphere, the Jewish national home in Palestine would not be dangerous.
— November 26, 1925
75 Years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Julian Libby, 686 Gholson Avenue, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Justin Harris, Saturday morning, Dec. 9, at the Louis Feinberg Synagogue.
Relatives and friends invited to attend Kiddush services. No cards.
– Mr. and Mrs. Abe Breines announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Norman Alan, on Saturday morning, Dec. 9, at the Forest Avenue Synagogue. A reception will be held in his honor at the residence, 229 Forest Avenue, Sunday Dec. 10, from 7 to 11 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited. No cards.
Geriatrics Expert Will Address JCC Forum At Wise Center Dec. 6
photo: FTP-11.27-5
Dr. Jack Weinberg, Chicago psychiatrist and specialist in geriatrics will address the Jewish Community Center Forum on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the Wise Center Auditorium at 8:30 p.m.
Dr. Weinberg will discuss the problems of mental hygiene and problems of the aged and has elected as his lecture topic, “Grow Old Along with Me — The Best is Yet to Be.” The Chicago doctor who received his training at the University of Illinois and the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, is consultant in psychiatry at the Home for Aged Jews in Chicago.
— November 30, 1950
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Bar mitzvah of sons Jeffrey Alan and Bradley to Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Friedman (Garden Grove, Calif.) from Mrs. Sam Yugend.
– Bar mitzvah of Andrew Alan Mack
Sincere good wishes are extended to Andrew, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Mack and his family on this special occasion.
Cincinnati Federation Board Members Hear A Participant In Israel Program Project
Marjorie Slome, participant in Project Etgar, six-month volunteer program in Israel, spoke to the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati board of Trustees before she left.
She described the project in which she would play an important role:
My program is divided into two segments: four months on a kibbutz and two months in Kiryat Shmona, a development town in the northernmost part of Israel.
“The Hebrew word ‘etgar’ means challenge — and this program will be nothing short of a challenge. I will definitely not be a tourist, but I will be living in the real Israel.
I shall be living also in the absorption center at Kiryat Shmona, the very place where Russian and North African Jews are placed on their immigration to Israel.
We shall be living under the same roof.”
— November 27, 1975
25 Years ago
Griffey, Sr. makes appearance at Ohav Shalom
Former major leaguer and current Cincinnati Reds coach Ken Griffey, Sr. made a special appearance at Congregation Ohav Shalom Sunday, Nov. 12. The event was “Family Fundraiser” sponsored by the Sisterhood and organized by Rachel Gutbezahl and Robin Goldberg, co-chairs.
The festivities started at 5:30 p.m. with a traditional ballpark-style dinner, including hot dogs and peanuts. Brian Goldberg, Griffey’s agent a member of Ohav Shalom, introduced the legend by talking about their history together.
Rabbi Alexander Schindler, Reform leader, dies at 75
Rabbi Alexander Schindler, 75, the longtime leader of the Reform movement who was considered a giant in the Jewish community, has died at his home in Westport, CT from heart failure. As president of Reform Judaism’s Union of American Hebrew Congregations from 1973-96, Schindler, who viewed Judaism as a dynamic faith, advocated a number of revolutionary changes.
Reversing the tradition of discouraging proselytizing, Schindler devised a controversial “outreach” program for non-Jewish spouses of Jews, challenging Jews to come “champion of Judaism” to these spouses.
— November 23, 2000
10 Years ago
Remembering Alan Wolf
‘Never give in’
Alan was convinced that exercise was a cure-all for his cancers, and he walked six days a week at the Jewish Community Center track.
Alan Wolf was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Joseph and Hortense Wolf on May 6, 1938. He attended elementary and high school in Cincinnati. His parents were both active in the community.
— November 26, 2015
