In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
REV. DR. WISE:
Deeming that it may not be uninteresting to diversify the entertainment of your valuable paper by queries and answers, I would respectfully ask one of a religious nature, leaving the answer open for discussion. When and where did the present system of Jewish mourning customs originate, what induced their formation and whether they are in accordance with the spirit of the age?
This question refers to the Koreah, (rending), Shiva (seven days) and Sheloshim (thirty days). The object of this question is as follows: There is no doubt that these laws were instituted by our rabbis of blessed memory for a good purpose, but what they made as penal or self-infecting laws, have at the present day become the radiant of fashion, as illustrated in our daily walks, it being à la mode for gentry, to go unshaven, and he is considered the best-looking man by the belles who wears the longest beard.
— January 5, 1855
150 Years ago
The Twenty-Sixth Volume of The American Israelite
There is, in the English language, but one Jewish weekly in existence older than the AMERICAN ISRAELITE, which is The London Jewish Chronicle, and one German which is The (Leipzig) Allegiance Zeitung des Judenthums. In America, only one Jewish weekly existed prior to the AMERICAN ISRAELITE. THE ASMONCAN, of which the editor of this journal was editor for several years before this journal was established. It has lived from 1854 to 1870 and hopes to continue existing and to perform the task which the Almighty, in His wisdom has assigned to it. There is no corner or cross way in this country, where this journal is not known and read. In Washington Territory or Florida, New Mexico or Maine, California or Carolina—it is found anywhere, and everywhere the Hebrew finds in it the voice of friends, the names of persons dear to him and events chronicled which interest him.
Local and Domestic
– Dr. Wise is today in Fort Wayne, Ind., to preach the dedication sermon at the new temple. He preaches tomorrow morning in the temple, and Sunday morning in the Unitarian Church, lectures Monday in Bay City, Mich. and Wednesday in Lima, O., to be back home on Friday.
– CINCINNATI—Thursday last, Rev. Dr. Tinter was surprised in his house by the ladies of his congregation. They came on and, carrying good things in abundance, had a happy time over it to the late hours of the evening. Dr. Tinter was quite surprised, and still more pleased.
— January 6, 1876
125 Years ago
Jottings
– With the New Year, the Jewish Times and Observer of San Francisco starts its 46th year and is as good as ever, which is very good indeed. The ISRAELITE, the oldest Jewish journal in the country and a year and half the senior, sends greetings.
– At Huntsville, Alabama, in a recent lecture on “Among the Immortals,” which is spoken of as one of the most learned and eloquent ever delivered there, Rabbi Nathan Michnic made a most impressive plea for the establishment of a public library.
— January 4, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
If you appreciate THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE, show it by sending in a new subscriber. No expression of approval that you could give would be more highly appreciated.
Orthodox Organizations Condemn Wise
At a meeting in New York City, which was attended by a union of Orthodox rabbis and the Mizrachi, a laymen’s organization, a resolution was adopted that unless the resignation of Rabbi Stephen S. Wise as Chairman of the United Palestine Appeal is accepted by the Executive Board, the support of one million Orthodox Jews will be withdrawn from the organization.
— January 7, 1926
75 Years ago
Public Is Invited To See Exhibit At HUC-JIR Museum
Through January, there will be an exhibit in the Jewish Museum on “Child and Art in Judaism.”
Included are amulets, in paper and silver, used as a protection for mother and child against evil spirits during and after childbirth.
The museum is open every weekday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Davis, 581 Southwood Drive, Hamilton, Ohio, (formerly of 1823 Berkley Avenue, Cincinnati) announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Sheldon Robert, on Saturday morning, Jan. 13, at the Isaac M. Wise Temple, Reading Road and N. Crescent Avenue.
A reception will be held in his honor at the Hotel Alms Saturday, Jan. 13, from 8 to 11 p.m. Friends are cordially invited. No cards.
Isaac Heller To Talk At Wise Dinner In Honor Of His Brother
Isaac S. Heller, widely-known New Orleans lawyer, will fly to Cincinnati for the annual congregational dinner of Wise Temple Sunday, Jan. 21, when his brother, Dr. James G. Heller, will be honored on the completion of his 30 years as rabbi of the Temple.
Famed as a wit and raconteur, Mr. Heller will give an informal talk. There will be no formal speaker. The committee has arranged a program of light entertainment.
Southern Kitchens Adds New Candies
Cincinnatians are invited to visit Reinhart’s Southern Kitchens at 3128 Jefferson Avenue, Clifton.
Following a quarter century in professional organizational life, Mr. Reinhart recently purchased Southern Kitchens, in a field which held attraction for him years ago.
Southern Kitchens was established more than twenty years ago and has long enjoyed a reputation for quality in this area. New varieties are being added to the familiar Southern Kitchens candies, which include opera creams, cordial cherries, double mints and peanut clusters.
— January 11, 1951
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Max Cohen are happy to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Allen, on Saturday morning, Jan. 10, at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Road.
Relatives and friend are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddush following the services.
Allen is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mutchnik, Mrs. Joe Cohen and the late Mr. Joe Cohen.
Weil Institute To Open Jan. 11 at HUC-JIR
Professor Alastair F. Buchan is the opening speaker in the Frank Weil Lecture Series at Hebrew Union College starting Sunday, Jan. 11. He was assistant editor of the Economist, was Washington correspondent of The Observer and thereafter diplomatic and defense correspondent.
He is chairman of the British International Studies Association, as well as Montague Burton Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford, England.
Emil Farkas To Be Honored as Man of Year Jan. 25
In January 1970, the Wise Temple Brotherhood honored one of its members for outstanding and diligent service to the brotherhood, to the Temple and the community.
It was the first event of its kind since the men’s groups establishment more than a generation ago.
It was to have been a one-time affair, but the occasion, with its gaiety and humor, its comradeship and good-will, became an annual event.
— January 8, 1976
10 Years ago
Remembering June Jaffe Burgin
June Jaffe Burgin was born on May 8, 1930, to Rosa Shor Jaffe and Lester A. Jaffe in Cincinnati, Ohio. June grew up in Cincinnati, first in North Avondale and later in Amberley Village and then Blue Ash. She graduated Walnut Hills High School in 1947. After graduating from Connecticut College in New London, CT in 1951 with a degree in Economics she returned to Cincinnati and worked in the Gastric Lab at what was then General Hospital (now University of Cincinnati Hospital).
While working at the Gastric Lab June met her future husband, Dr. Leonard A. Burgin. They were married on May 31, 1953 in Cincinnati.
JVS and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati present Jill Haney
What does your image say about you?
Communicating a confident and powerful image is a key element of being a successful business professional, even if you rarely leave the cube. At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, image consultant Jill Haney will provide you with concrete examples and tips about how to improve the way you are seen by others. Jill Haney will speak in room 210 of the Mass Mutual Building at Rookwood Exchange, located at 3825 Edwards Road. There will be networking opportunities available.
— January 7, 2016
5 Years ago
Cincinnati Hebrew Day School tackles Covid-19
Responding to Covid-19’s effects on schools, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) jointly stated:
“We recognize that children learn best when physically present in the classroom. But children get much more than academics at school.
— January 7, 2021
