In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Ancient and Modern Jews
It needs but a cursory inspection of modern history to be appraised of the fact that Jews not only figure prominently in almost all branches of science and art, but also that they exercise a great influence upon practical life, having even shaken to the very centre the fabric of governments, based upon the old principles of despotism and ignorance. If we speak of philosophy, Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Maimon, A. Frank of Paris, Dr. Henry Weil of Strassburg, J. Jeiteles of Vienna, Dr. W. Freund of Berlin, are characters who exercise a lasting influence upon the history of this science. If we loom upon the pages of mathematics, there we meet with the prominent names of Abelard Servedieu Levy of Paris, Raeuel Labatto of Amesterdam, Professor E. Unger, Meyer Hirsch, Dr. S. Stern, M. Burg, S. Sachs and P. Riese of Germany. It is not necessary of us to speak of the vast number of eminent physicians and their influence upon medical science, as this is a fact commonly known.
— December 1, 1854
150 Years ago
City Items
Dr. Bernard Tauber, the young physician lately returned from Europe, has just succeeded in extracting a bullet from a gentleman’s throat. The ball had been in his throat twelve years, causing him almost incessant pain, and giving him great difficulty in swallowing. He had tried a great many doctors unsuccessfully, and had in consequence lost all faith in them. His friends persuaded him to give Dr. Tauber a trial and he at last acceded to their persuasions. About three weeks ago the Doctor performed the operation in a most successful manner. The patient found immediate relief, and in fact was cured instantly.
A Pleasant Incident
The Saturday afternoon lecture before the students of the Hebrew Union College, by Rev. Dr. I.M. Wise, attracts beside the students of the College, many prominent citizens, who listen with great interest to the lecture of the learned Professor. Among the visitors last Saturday was also Mr. M. Loth, who, when he appeared in the lecture hall was invited to take a seat on the platform, which he declined, but after the close of the lecture the invitation being again extended, he accepted it, and was introduced by Rev. Dr. Wise and Mr. M. Loth.
The Results Thus Far in Chicago
In our issue of November 10th we advised the readers of the AMERICAN ISRAELITE, that Mr. Moritz Loth will visit Chicago the 20th and 21st, and call on our fellow-Israelites of that city with the “Book of Memorial,” to solicit donations to the Sinking Fund of the Hebrew Union College. Mr. Loth returned Tuesday morning, the 23rd, and states that he was warmly received by Lazarus Silverman, Esq., tendered him the hospitalities at his house during his stay in Chicago.
— December 3, 1875
125 Years ago
– It is highly gratifying for parents, after having raised a boy until he is almost a man, to have his life sacrificed at a game of football, or in the course of initiation into a college fraternity. The fond father and mother, whose son came home from West Point recently to die as the result of hazing, must find much consolation in the knowledge that it was all done in fun. The young people themselves are the least to blame; the criminally culpable parties are the school officials. If the authorities at West Point and at universities and colleges are not capable of controlling their pupils they should give way to more competent teachers. It is not the callow youths who are responsible for these brutalities. It is the faculty of the school upon whom all blame should be placed, and the law should in some way be made to reach those who so criminally neglect the trust placed in them.
– That success finds more worship at its shrine today than in the past is a difficult thesis to prove. “Nothing succeeds like success,” was as true in the world a thousand years ago as it is today. Whether it is the deserving who are usually the successful ones is another question.
– “Macon,” the clever writer on sporting topics, repeats in a recent letter the tale that Adah Isaacs Menken, the actress, was a Jewess. This is an error. She was born of Christian parents, but never had any religion to speak of. She was a resident of Cincinnati in the fifties, an occasional contributor to this paper and a frequenter of the ISRAELITE office. She often requested the late Dr. Wise to accept her as a convert to Judaism, and on one occasion indulged her theatrical instinct to the extent of throwing herself on her knees at his feet and imploring him in the most melodramatic manner to make her one of the daughters of Israel. The doctor did not consent however.
— December 6, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– Alfred A. Benesch, a newly-elected member of the Cleveland, Ohio School Board has announced that he will attempt to abolish military training in the local high schools.
– Elaborate ceremonies will mark the dedication — on December 20th — of the new Temple Mishkan Tefla of Boston. This new edifice is regarded as one of the finest in the country.
Foreign Notes
(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The verdict in the Steiger trial will be rendered in all probability on December 6, it is expected in Lemberg. The State Attorney intends to hasten the end of the trial.
The Yiddish language was recognized as the official language along with Ukrainian in the city of Berditcheff, by a decision in the Executive Committee on the National Minorities.
In view of the growth of the Jewish peasant class, the law publishing office of the national Commissariat of Education in Ukraine issued a Yiddish translation of the Russian code of land laws.
— December 3, 1925
75 Years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Platnick (Edna Effron) announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Kenneth Barry Platnick, on Friday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m., at Temple Ahavath Sholom in Bluefield, W. Va.
Kenneth is the eldest grandson of Mrs. Louise Effron, of E. Mitchell Avenue and a nephew of Mr. Sigmund Effron of Cincinnati.
– Mr. and Mrs. David Goodman announce the bar mitzvah of their son, Irvin, Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Beth Hemedrath Hagodol synagogue.
A reception took place Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Ohav Shalom synagogue for relatives and friends.
Bernard Pepinsky Is Acting Chairman Of Community Group
Bernard Pepinsky was chosen unanimously as temporary chairman of the Committee on Community Organization at its fist session Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Cincinnati Jewish Community Center.
The committee seeks to draft a plan for an over-all group, in co-operation with the four organizations largely concerned. The four are the Jewish Community Council, Jewish Welfare Fund, United Jewish Social Agencies and Federation of Jewish Agencies.
The meeting was attended by 34 of the 80 members.
— December 7, 1950
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Sirkin are proud to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Marc Howard, on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10:45 a.m., at Plum Street Temple.
Marc is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Greenberg and Mr. and Mrs. Albert C. Sirkin, all of this city.
Friends and relatives are invited to join them on this happy occasion, and be with them for a Kiddush immediately following the service.
– Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn Fisher are happy to announce the bar mitzvah of their son, Marc, on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 9 a.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue, Galbraith and Ridge Roads.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddush following the services.
Marc is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lerner and Mrs. Helen Fisher.
Forum on “Future of the American Jewish Experience”
“The Future of the American Jewish Experience” will be discussed by a noted political sociologist, Leonard Fein, Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center auditorium.
This is the second lecture of the 1974-75 Center Forum Series.
Dr. Fein is Klutznick Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies at Brandeis and editor of “Moment Magazine,” a monthly on Jewish affairs found by him and Elie Wiesel.
— December 4, 1975
25 Years ago
JNF to honor Luken with concert
Jewish National Fund will honor Cincinnati Mayor Charles Luken at the Great Benefit at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall Saturday, Jan. 13. The event will feature a concert by Broadway performer David “Du Du” Fisher, best known as Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables.”
“Luken is a role model for us all,” says Nina Paul, JNF vice president of social events and event co-chair. Other co-chairs are Ed Paul, Marcie and Nathan Bacharach, Patti and Fred Heldman, Susan and Victor Shmelzer and Marcia and Dick Weiland.
— December 7, 2000
10 Years ago
A Cappella group from Indiana University will perform at Valley Temple
Hoosier A Cappella, Indiana University’s premiere Co-ed A Capella group with Jewish roots will be performing at the Valley Temple on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. The group will travel to Cincinnati to present their program as part of the Valley Temple’s Chanukah Celebration. The public is welcome.
— December 3, 2015
