In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Reply to Rabbi S.R. Hirsch, of Frankfort
It has been mentioned in a previous number of the Israelite, that this learned and staunch defender of the old school, after a long silence, re-appears before the public as the editor of a monthly periodical. We saluted him with due respect, as he is an able writer and an eminent scholar. We even opened our columns to translated portions of his literary productions; but we studiously avoided to touch upon the article, “The Jew and his Times,” because it is not only such an ultra, nay, hyper-orthodoxical nature, that we deemed silence the best policy; but we were well aware that it misrepresents the endeavors of the progressive party in Israel.
Had the article remained in its vernacular (German), we would not have criticized it, as there are plenty of men in Germany to do it; but having been translated in English, we deem ourselves in duty bound to make some remarks on the article.
— December 8, 1854
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
Berlin—Hithero Jews were excluded from the provincial diet of Brandenburg, and this practice was carried so far he was not even allowed to give his vote. At the late election, the electors of Berlin who had to return three members elected a Jew. This is very significant in the face of the agitation against the Jews carried on by the reactionists. The ministry too is engaged in making inquires as to the position of Jewish congregations and Jewish religious societies in general, the object being to prepare a law which is to regulate the communal affairs of the Jewish body.
New Publications
THE AMERICAN JEWISH PUBLICATION SOCIETY has issued two readable books (translations from the German), well-printed and well-bound. One is an abstract mostly from Dr. Zunz’s book and Dr. Perle’s, styled “Hebrew Characteristics,” 96 pages octavo; and the other is a translation of Herzberg’s “Family Paper,” translated by Rev. Mendes, of New York, 260 pages octavo. Both are good books for the family library, pleasant reading and characteristically Jewish. The managers promise to issue next Dr. Geiger’s Classical Lectures, i.e., the lectures delivered before the class in the College at Berlin, which will be worth more than the subscription paid by the members. The books before us are good contributions to American Jewish literature, and should be in every library.
Local and Domestic
Bloch & Co. were washed out last Friday morning, December 3rd, just a week ago for a change. They were first burnt out, moved then their printing establishment to Home Street, where they rented with two lofts above their heads, occupied by other parties. Friday morning a fire broke out in one of those upper lofts, both of which burnt out, while Bloch & Co.’s Printing Establishment was drenched with plenty of water to damage them to the amount of $10,000, partly insured. They’re again in working order; and THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE and Deborah in consequence of this accident have been delayed but one day this week. Our damages are slight and except the delay, unimportant.
— December 10, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– University chaperones are the latest Viennese novelty. In consequence of the riotous and insulting behavior of the male students when the women tried to avail themselves of the newly graded permission to attend lectures, many mothers of women students have registered for the university lectures in order to accompany and protect their daughters.
– The dangers of unrestrained anti-Semitism have been exemplified at Fagaros, in Hungary, where the peasants murdered a wealthy Jew named Moses Keja. They stuck his severed head on the points of a hayfork and promenaded around triumphantly. When arrested, they protested that they believed the Jews were beyond the pale of the law.
– At the recent German census, Emperor William personally filled out his formula, designating his business as Emperor of Germany, and King of Prussia. He is entirely too modest, as, according to all accounts he is a poet, painter, composer, sculpture, preacher and adept generally in all the arts sciences and learned professions. A ruler of his versatility should encourage his subjects by letting them know what one man can accomplish. Nor would any one risk lese majeste by assuring that the Emperor is not the foremost solider and sailor in Europe. And as a statesman, did he not teach Bismarck, which of the two knew the most?
— December 13, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– Telephone communication was established on December 1st between Palestine and Egypt. The line follows the route taken by the Children of Israel in crossing the desert.
– Relativity gets a certificate in the award to Prof. Einstein in London Monday of the Copley medal by the Royal society. It is no longer a theory by a law, declared the retiring president, Sir Charles Sherington, and no room is left for doubt that Einstein is to be put with Sir Isaac Newton among the great men whose fame is for all time.
– The number of births in Tel Aviv and Jaffa in the year 5685 increased considerably over the previous year, according to the statistics of the municipalities. During the year, 655 Jewish boys and 519 Jewish girls were born. Reports of the previous year showed that 810 Jewish children were born. The number of deaths during last year was 492, while in the previous year there were 337.
About People
Announcement is being made by Young Judaea, the junior Zionist Organization of America, for which Hon. Nathan Straus is the Honorary President, that the well known educator, Mr. Samuel J. Borowsky, has been appointed Executive Chairman of that organization.
— December 10, 1925
75 Years ago
Camp Shot and Group of Hebrew Schools Plan Variety Show
Plans for an all-star Variety Show, for the benefit of Camp Shot scholarship fund and a group of Hebrew schools, began to take definite from a meeting of Board members of the various schools and Camp Show at the Chofetz Chayim Day School, Reading Road and S. Crescent Avenue, Tuesday evening, Dec.5.
The show is to be presented at Cincinnati Garden Feb. 10.
Participating are Camp Shor, Hebrew Institute and Beth Am, Talmud Torah, Chofetz Chayim Day School and Etz Chayim Yeshiva.
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Sam B. Plotkin, of 3565 Van Antwerp Place, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Myron Ronald, Saturday morning, Dec. 16, at the Louis Feinberg Synagog.
Dr. Courter Aids Inter-group Body; Members Listed
“A significant step, leading toward closer co-operation between the Cincinnati public school system and inter-group agencies the handling of racial, religious and inter-group problems that arise in the schools was taken recently with the formation of a joint committee of top school administrators and executives of the inter-group agencies.”
Charles Posner, director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee and a member of the joint committee, so declared this week.
— December 14, 1950
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Loring Beaverman of Florence, Italy and formerly of Cincinnati, are happy to announce the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Lisa, on Friday evening, Dec. 26th, at 8:15 p.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue, Galbraith and Ridge Roads.
An Oneg Shabbat will follow the services where the Braverman will be happy to meet their friends.
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Morton Blumberg are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Michael David, on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 9:30 a.m. at Congregation B’nai Tzedek at the Jewish Community Center.
Friends and relatives are invited to worship with them on this happy occasion and attend a Kiddush immediately following the services.
Michael is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Blumbuerg, and Mr. and Mrs. Russel Steele of Warren, Ohio.
— December 11, 1975
25 Years ago
Zimmerman resigns as HUC president
The morning after Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion celebrated its 125th anniversary, its president, Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman, surprised the community by offering his resignation to HUC-JIR’s Board of Governors.
Burton Lehman, chairman of HUC-JIR’s Board of Governors, issued the following statement Dec. 4:
With profound regret, the Board of Governors of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion announces that the President of the College-Institute, Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman, has submitted his resignation, effective immediately.
Rabbi Zimmerman informed the Chairman of the Board today that the Central Conference of American Rabbis has suspended him as a member for at least two years, relating to an inquiry into personal relationships of Rabbi Zimmerman that existed prior to his becoming President of the College-Institute in 1996.
— December 14, 2000
10 Years ago
Jewish Foundation Annual Meeting focuses on leadership, partnership in community
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati held its 19th Annual Meeting last week, showcasing the importance of leadership and featuring several dynamic partnerships that are helping to move the community’s agenda forward.
— December 10, 2015
