In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Jewish Sabbath
The present state of the Sabbath question in Christendom is very curious and instructive in some of its details as well as in its general outline. It is a question upon which great ignorance prevails, and respecting which all parties are actuated by very strong and apparently irreconcilable feelings. The Jewish Sabbath is a definite institution; but the Christian Sunday partakes of the indefinites which distinguishes the gospel from the law in all its aspects. The Jewish Sabbath is of Divine appointment, direct; the Christian Sabbath is of Divine appointment; indirect—that is, the church has ordained it, having taken the liberty of changing the day from Saturday to Sunday, preserving the principle of a day of rest.
Now this changing of the day and preserving the principle, has never taken deep and firm root in Christendom. The Christian Sabbath has never been kept like the Jewish Sabbath; and it is only at the end of the geographical world, at the end of Christendom and in modern times, that a nation has appeared resolved to keep up a semblance of a Jewish Sabbath after a Christian manner.
— December 15, 1854
150 Years ago
Indigent Students
The Board of Governors of the Hebrew Union College held a protracted meeting in regard to the many applications made by bright but poor youths, who desire to obtain a classical education under the protecting care of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
The Board feels that it is almost sacrilegious to deny those poor boys the opportunity to obtain that education for which they so earnestly crave. Their hearts beat in sympathy with the applicants. Gladly would they accept them, and give them the broad opportunity of obtaining a thorough classical education, and assist them with the necessaries of life while they pass through the period of their collegiate course. But the stern fact stares them in the face that the Union has not the funds to practice such liberality, laudable as it is, and the Board of Governors are compelled to deny the request of the applicants; but to their credit must it be recorded that they postponed a vote until the Executive Board of the Union of American Hebrew Congregation meets in its regular session, and expresses its view on the subject under advisement.
Darwinism, Evolution and Spirit
In the sixth Friday evening lecture of this season, Dr. Wise began to discuss the modern theories of science in relation to the old doctrines of spirit, soul and immortality. He said, there are ever as many scientists, specialists and many more dilettantes and mimics in the world who think the conflict of Science and Religion, or rather Science and Philosophy, is insurmountable, so that one of them must fall to make room for the other.
— December 17, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– The Hebrew Union College has issued a catalog and program for 1900-1901. It contains a list of the Board of Governors, Faculty and students; a brief historical sketch of the college, and particulars as to curriculum, requirements for admission, etc. The pamphlet can be had of MR. Isaac Bloom, Secy., Cincinnati.
– The “Perseveranza” of Milan publishes a telegram from Rome to the effect that the Pope has sent instructions to the bishops in Austria, Germany and France that they are to withhold support from the anti-Semitic movement, and should these instructions not suffice, the Pope will issue an encyclical on the subject. There is nothing however to show that the report is more than a mere rumor.
Candle Decoration
Like many other quaint accessories of our forefathers, the candle is again coming into vogue, not only as an article of household necessity, but as a means of beautifying the home, drawing room candles now being considered an almost indispensable factor of decoration for the five o’clock tea, the dinner party or formal reception. Of course the candle of modern make, with its rich veneer of color, is a far different product than the old tallow dip with its ill-smelling smoke that taxed the eyes of our ancestors. The decorative candle of today is an accurately proportioned stick of pure paraffin that burns with a light as clear and white as the gleam of the evening star. Clothed in a tinted shade of shimmering silk or even paper, it enhances the beauty of a room or table a hundredfold.
— December 20, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
– As there is no mail distribution on Friday, December 25th, Christmas, THE ISRAELITE’S issue of Thursday, December 24th, will probably reach its out-of-town readers somewhat later than usual. Publication and mailing will be as heretofore and it is to be hoped that the subscribers will pardon the unavailable delay.
– Congregation Beth Israel (Conservative), of Philadelphia recently celebrated its eighty-fifth anniversary and the twentieth of the ministry of Rabbi Marvin Nathan.
Jerusalem Celebrates Seventh Anniversary
Jerusalem, (JTA)—“I hope that December 9, the anniversary of the day of Jerusalem’s deliverance from Turkish rule, will be observed as a Thanksgiving Day and that every citizen will endeavor to attend his own place of worship. This day should be observed as a public holiday.” This is the text of a proclamation issued by Lord Plumber, High Commissioner of Palestine, in connection with the celebration of the seventh anniversary of General Allenby’s entry into Jerusalem on December 9. The anniversary was celebrated at St. George’s Cathedral, where Greek and Armenian patriarchs, lead-members of the Mohammedan, Jewish and Arab communities attended the services. Prayers were read in Hebrew, Arabic, Greek and Armenian. Jewish ex-service men launched a drive for funds to erect a memorial in Tel Aviv to the Jewish Legion, which fought during the war with the British to free the country from Turkey.
— December 17, 1925
75 Years ago
Federation Drive Winning Favorable Responses Here
The second phase in the building campaign of the Cincinnati Federation of Jewish Agencies, to raise $450,000 toward construction of a Home for the Chronically Ill, was opened Sunday, Dec. 17, with a brunch at the Hotel Alms for a group of younger workers.
Herbert P. Bloch, Sr., campaign chairman and president of the Federation, reported that the drive was off to a good start. He said that in spite of the handicaps imposed by the inclement weather of the past week, those volunteers who had received their cards at the “kick-off” meeting had already contacted a substantial number of prospects.
Describing the three-story 30-bed proposed Home, Mr. Bloch told the solicitors that “We are fortunate in being able to establish the new building so close to the Jewish Hospital.”
Bar Mitzvah
– Mrs. Louis Effron, of 765 E. Mitchell Avenue, has returned from Bluefield, W. Va., where she attended the bar mitzvah of her oldest grandson, Kenneth Barry Platnick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Platnick (Edna Effron).
– GOOD CHEERS COMMITTEE: Mrs. Maurice White, Chairman, UN 8088. To Mr. and Mrs. Julian Libby, in honor of bar mitzvah of son, Justin Harris, from Helen and Harry Pollins.
— December 21, 1950
50 years ago
Dr. Gottschalk Is Critical of Henry Kissinger
There is anxiety in Israel because it is felt that the close, historic ties between the U.S. and Israel are being impaired, President Alfred Gottschalk said here Thursday, Dec. 12, at a press conference.
He was one of the 100 world Jewish leaders who attended a conference called by Israel’s Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin.
Those who spoke at the meeting in Jerusalem included Mr. Rabin; former Premier Golda Meir; Abba Eban, former Foreign Minister; Areyah Dulzin, acting head of the Jewish Agency.
Observations by Dr. Gottschalk at the press conference here Dec. 12 included:
The policy of detente pursued by the Secretary of State, Henry A. Kissinger, places pressure on Israel to unconditionally come to terms with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
A terrorist organization of international scope, the PLO has openly committed itself to destruction of Israel.
Bar Mitzvah
– Dr. And Mrs. Laurence Essig take great pleasure in announcing the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Ronald Louis, Saturday, Dec. 27, at 10:45 a.m., at Temple Sholom, 3100 Longmeadow Lane.
Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddush following the services.
Ronald is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Fishman and the late Mr. and Mrs. Mendel Essig.
– 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 Congregational B’nai Tzedek at the Jewish Community Center.
Michael is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Russel Steele of Warren, Ohio, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Blumberg.
— December 18, 1975
25 Years ago
Skirball Museum displays new ritual objects
Judy Lucas spends her professional life around beautiful things. Specifically, the beautiful Jewish ritual objects at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Skirball Museum, of which she is curator.
Most of the time, that means things from the past, when, some believe, the craftsmanship was more appreciated than it is now.
— December 21, 2000
10 Years ago
An evening with Tina Wasserman noted chef
On Tuesday December 8 at 7:00 p.m., internationally known chef and author, Tina Wasserman, spoke to a room full of people in the Teller Lounge at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).
The discussion for the evening took different recipes from one of Tina’s cookbooks and shared the meaning behind recipes as well as the history surrounding each food item and its ingredients.
— December 17, 2015
