From the Pages
In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Vitality Of Judaism
If we were asked for evidence of the vigor and life of the Jewish religion, we know not where we could point with greater pride and pleasure than to the United States of America.
This portion of the globe perhaps would be the last place where some would turn with that view, for here we have none of those splendid seats of learning, which have been the nurseries of so many of our great men; here we have none of those famous institutions, which abound among our peoples in Europe and Asia; nor has this continent yet produced any of those eminent rabbis, who the lights of the age in which they lived, threw over our united yet dispersed race a halo of glory. No leader of fame our renowned guide has yet been vouchsafed to our people on this side of the Atlantic, in fact, with a very few exceptions, every one of our people who at any period exercise a controlling influence over the Israelites in America, has been an emigrant to those shores.
— January 19, 1855
150 Years ago
Treated With the Highest Consideration
Nothing pleases man so well as to be treated with the highest consideration. This is natural, for man is G-d’s representative on earth; in him is vested the power to rule and control the animal kingdom, vegetation and every element that surrounds him. Through his intelligence and understanding, he is indeed not only the master of the situation, but the supreme lord, subject only to the will of Jehovah, whose grace overlooks many shortcomings, and gives generation after generation the broadest opportunities for development and advancement toward the portals of heaven.
Candidates for the Hebrew Union College
Candidates for the Hebrew Union College, in order to secure admission, must be here the second week in August, when the high schools open their fall sessions, and must first be admitted to the high school (or university) or be graduates of a classical college, in order to be admitted to the Hebrew Union College. For admission to the high school is required the full knowledge of English Grammar, arithmetic, both written and mental complete, geography and American history complete, geography and American history complete.
Be it said here once more, that the organic laws made by the Council, required of each candidate to be admitted to the Hebrew Union College, this inevitable task: he must be a student or graduate of the high school , college or university. The German Gymnasium is considered equal to our high school; but no Bachur, whatever his knowledge may be, without the above qualification can be admitted in the H. U. College.
Free Education
A good education is not only of importance to every individual, but it is also to the interest of the State. Ignorance brings with it a long train of misery, which ends in quarrels, turmoil and often bloodshed, which is a blot on humanity and a disgrace to every community where it prevails. On the other hand, a good education causes forbearance and moderation in all things, the cultivation of friendship, the observance of faith and the promotion of universal happiness. To bring such an education into general practice among the children of Israel is the mission of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations; and that they will fulfill the mission there can be no doubt, for within the short space of time since the Union has been called into existence, more than eighty congregations have already entered the fold.
— January 21, 1876
125 Years ago
Jottings
– The New York Independent publishes a resume of church statistics each year which, whatever may be the case in regard to other denominations, is full of extraordinary misinformation concerning Jews. The flights of its compiler in previous issues have been outdone this year, however. He credits the Jews of the United States with having during the last ten years made a gain of 927,639 persons. As this is approximately the entire Jewish population of the United States, the absurdity of the estimate is easily apparent.
Since we go to press on Tuesday afternoon and the convention of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations does not open till Tuesday morning, it is impossible for us to make editorial comment on the work of the convention this week; this must be reserved for our next issue. We can say no more at present than that gates of hospitable Cincinnati are open wide, and the delegates are being welcomed as friends and co-workers in a great cause by all their co-religionists in the metropolis of Ohio. This is the third convention of the Union that has been held at Cincinnati, the first being the meeting at which the Union was organized in 1873.
— January 17, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
– The French Government lifted the ban against the Jewish refugees who were stranded in the ports of Havre and Cherbourg and were not permitted to leave these places. They will now be permitted to proceed anywhere in France and look for employment as inhabitants of the land.
– Soup-kitchens will have to be opened up almost immediately to save the Jews of Poland from starving to death. The medical, child-care and school work is threatened with collapse, and the Jewish students all over Europe face tragedy. Economic conditions are worse than during the war, says Dr. Kahn, European director of J.D.C. relief.
Ex-Kaiser Attacks Belief in Jehovah
Berlin — The former Kaiser has contributed an article to a book just published, “The Opposition of the Germanic Movement to Judaism and Christianity,” in which he urges Germans to “break away from the belief that Jehovah, the G-d of the Jews, is our G-d.”
“Christ never used the word Jehovah,” Wilhelm writes. He contends Isaiah shows that the Christian idea of G-d came from Persia, the Jews having come under the influence of the Monotheism of Zarathustra during the Babylonian captivity. He declares is the Aryan religion of Zarathustra, and not Judaism, that is the real forerunner of Christianity. Our slogan must be ‘Away from Judaism, with its Jehovah,’” he writes.
— January 21, 1926
75 Years ago
Religious Freedom Will Be Discussed By Rabbi Maimon
When Rabbi Judah L. Maimon, Minister of Religious Affairs in the Israeli cabinet, speaks at a dinner in his honor at the Hotel Sheraton-Gibson, Sunday evening, Feb. 4, he will clarify questions of religious freedom in Israel and of Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations, it was announced this week.
A.B. Wise is president and Rabbi Fishel J. Goldfeder is vice president of the Cincinnati chapter of the Mizrachi Organization of America, sponsor of Rabbi Maimon’s visit.
Ed Wertheimer, Jr. Named President of The Rockdale Temple
Edward Wertheimer, Jr., was elected president of Rockdale Avenue Temple at its 127th annual dinner Sunday evening, Jan. 21, at the Hotel Alms. He succeeds Charles N. Aschelm, who had served two one-year terms as president.
Chosen with Mr. Wertheimer were Warren J. Heldman, vice-president; Raymond G. Frankel, treasurer; Randolph I. Trager, secretary.
— January 25, 1951
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. David C. Magrish are happy to announce the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter Rachel Ann on Sat. Jan. 24th at 10:45 a.m. at Plum Street Temple. Family and friends are invited to attend the Kiddush after services. Rachel is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Magrish of Cincinnati and Mr. and Mrs. David Bourgin of Vir., Monn. and Mrs. Rose Meltzer of New York City.
– The Bas Mitzvah of our daughter, Tammi Dee Kamin, will be celebrated on Friday evening Jan. 30th at 8 p.m. B’nai Tzedek Synagogue. Friends are invited to worship with us and share the simcha with us. Reception following services. No cards.
Ruth and Jeff Kamin
Aliyah Reception At the Center Saturday, Jan. 24
The Cincinnati Chug Aliyah of the Association of Americans and Canadians for Aliyah announces the appearance of Mr. Moshe Bogot at an AACA reception Saturday evening, Jan. 24, 8 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. An American oleh, Mr. Bogot made aliyah in 1971 with his wife and four children.
— January 22, 1976
10 Years ago
Remembering Frank Gerson
Frank Gerson was born on June 28, 1945, to Julia and Herman Gerson in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati. After high school he served in the United States Armed Forces and then attended University of Cincinnati for a few years. He married his wife, Conny, in 1970; they were married for 45 years.
— January 21, 2016
5 Years ago
PJ Library invites families to celebrate Tu B’Shevat
Stewardship for the earth and a deep love and respect for trees go back to the earliest days of Jewish tradition. To address the importance of these treasured principles, PJ Library is launching the “Plant for Tomorrow” campaign to help plant tens of thousands of trees for future generations. The campaign celebrates Tu B’Shevat — the holiday often described as Jewish Earth Day — on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
— January 21, 2021
