In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
To The Rev. Dr. Wise
Dear Sir,—It is now three months that I have been a subscriber to your most valuable paper, the Israelite, through the influence of my most worthy father-in-law, W.A. Cohn, of Portland, Ky., whom I believe, you are personally acquainted with.
With the deepest interest, I always await your paper, as it is full of interesting topics and news of our beloved religion and religious matter, and I hope and trust will forward the good and benefit you aim at, and will soon show amongst our Jewish brethren the benefit derived from it.
As I know you take an interest on all that helps to lay a deeper and more pious feeling in the heart of our brethren and the synagogue and which enhances its holy purpose, I mention to you that yesterday, the 9th of December, we have for the first time a choir here, consisting of boys from to twelve years of age, which this congregation, “Society of Concord,” owes wholly to their new minister, Mr. Ritterman, who is truly untiring in doing all he can, to promote the Divine service of this congregation, and in which has so far succeeded very well.
Much is yet to be done, but with the steady co-operating of the officers of the congregation, all obstacles will soon be overcome. May success be with him.
I remain Dear Doctor
Your devoted and constant reader,
S.H.
— December 22, 1854
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
Poland—Sorrow reigns among the Jews of the kingdom. A report has been spread that the missionaries of the Conversion Society, who have received permission to recommence their activity, kidnap Jewish children and baptize them. And as these missionaries generally are converted Jews, every foreign Jew is viewed by the natives with suspicion and dread. At Grzybowo, where there is a large Jewish congregation, suspicion fell upon a stranger dressed like a Jew, that he was an emissary of the English conversationists sent out to abduct Jewish children. He was therefore attacked by the mob and dreadfully beaten. These are the first fruits of the missionary invasion of Poland.
A Mother in Israel
This is the greatest title that can be bestowed upon a woman; for to be a mother in Israel, signifies the possession of the noblest virtues; purity, a sympathetic and a truly loving heart and an intelligence of a high order, which assert themselves in the tidy neatness of personal appearance, in the systematic order of her home, in the careful attention that every thing that surrounds her receives at her hands, in the courteous language and the never-failing cheerfulness which makes her abode the home of peace, of hope and trust in the ever-living God, whose grace she implores by every act of her beautiful life. And God’s peace rests upon her and her home, for under her benignant influence, ignorance and its twin companion, meanness, is forever banished from her family, for she pleads before her husband with a magnetic eloquence, the eloquence of a woman’s love, a woman’s devotion, a woman’s self-sacrifice.
Amusements
PIKE’S MUSIC HALL—The Cincinnati Grand Orchestra held their second concert on Tuesday night. The audience was large and brilliant, and seemed enraptured by the magnificent music. Miss Emma Cranch, the wonderful contralto, rendered two pieces of music from Handel and Gounod in a most fascinating manner. She was summoned back to the stage with tremendous applause, and graciously favored the audience with another song. We were happy to observe that a large number of Israelites, indeed a disproportionate number, were present. Mr. Nicholas Brand conducted the orchestra, and Mrs. Louis Ballenberg managed the whole affair.
— December 24, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– Captain Dreyfus has been in Paris for the last few days, but he goes out very little and sees no one. Madame Dreyfus has remained in Geneva, where the family has now definitely settled for the education of the two children who, for obvious reasons, could not be brought up in a French public school. Captain Dreyfus will probably stay in Paris same time.
– A German army corps has recently been equipped with a newly invented rifle that surpasses in its death-dealing qualities everything of its kind hitherto known; and, now Emperor William is sorrier than ever for permitting himself to be induced to join the Hague peace congress. However, he can console himself with the reflection that recent events have shown there is still opportunity for a war or two before peace will reign supreme the world over.
The United States has, also, appropriated a large sum of money to make a final test of the Gatling gun, which fires projectiles with large quantities of moist guncotton with such terrific force that the strongest armor plate is broken as if it were a mere egg shell. As the present armor plate is already as heavy as a ship can carry without sinking, the war vessels of the world will be at the mercy of the nation possessing this gun—if it is a success. It certainly proves a fine instrument to enforce an argument in favor of expansion.
— December 27, 1900
100 Years ago
Jottings
There will be a community Christmas tree for Jews, Christians and Muslims on the field of the Boaz, where the shepherds watched their flocks by night. It will be lighted by electricity. YMCA funds provide for it.
About People
During a recent visit to Washington, Rabbi Emmanuel J. Jack, of Little Rock, Ark., was invited by Vice-President Dawes to open the session of the United States Senate with prayer. Dr. Jack was in Washington to attend the National American Red Cross Conference, which was addressed by President C. Coolidge. Rabbi Jack is Chairman of the Arkansas Red Cross. He was formerly a resident of Cincinnati and was married there to Miss Sylvia Sommers Strauss, of that city.
Peace on Earth
The Christian world is celebrating Christmas. Over and above its color and light, its atmosphere and its obvious appeal to all who are capable of seeing the human side of the celebration, there flashes the great slogan “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Man.” It is a challenge to organized religion more than it is a warning or reminder to individuals. The church can make peace. The church can stop many of the hatreds which now make for war. The church can reach across international boundaries.
— December 24, 1925
75 Years ago
Dr. Philip Bernstein To Speak Jan. 21 At The Rockdale Dinner
Dr. Philip S. Bernstein, president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and since 1926, rabbi of Temple B’rith Kodesh, Rochester, N.Y., will speak at Rockdale Temple’s congregational dinner Sunday evening, Jan. 21, at the Hotel Alms.
Dr. Bernstein is known to many as the author of the Sept. 11 (1950) “Life” magazine article, “What Jews Believe.” In May 1946, he was named advisor on Jewish affairs, to the European theatre commander. Dr. Bernstein is a graduate of Syracuse University and the Jewish Institute of Religion.
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fram, of 7608 Castleton Place, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Leonard, at the Beth Am Minyan Saturday morning, Jan. 6.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to a Kiddush following the service.
— December 28, 1950
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. John Frank Jr. are proud to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Andrew Jacob, on Saturday, the 10th of January, 10:45 a.m. at Rockdale Temple.
Andrew is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Zeff and Mr. and Mrs. John Frank Sr.
– 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.
Bas Mitzvah
Our daughter, Eddi Michelle, will read a portion of the Haftorah on the occasion of her Bas Mitzvah at Northern Hills Synagogue, 715 Fleming Road, Cincinnati, Saturday, the twenty-seventh of December, at nine o’clock.
We would be honored to have you worship with us on this occasion and join us for the Kiddush following the services.
Barbara and Murray Balmages
— December 25, 1975
25 Years ago
Ohav Shalom to install new officers at dinner
Barry Joffe will be installed as new president of Congregation Ohav Shalom at an installation dinner Sunday, Jan. 14, at the synagogue. Joffe is currently the senior vice president of the congregation.
His family was among the first of a wave of young families who helped spark the rejuvenation of the congregation in the mid-1990s.
— December 28, 2000
10 Years ago
Wise Temple Mitzvah Morning December 25
Agencies which provide social services in Cincinnati need a little extra help during December and Wise Temple members have answered the call, fully staffing a wide variety of soup kitchens and other social justice projects. Project Leaders Amy Marmer and Sandy and Tom Deters kick off the holiday week by shopping for the food and then working with Wise Temple volunteers to prepare and serve a meal to about 150 downtown residents.
— December 24, 2015
