In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Knowledge of the Hebrew Language
It cannot be denied that a thorough knowledge of the English, German and French languages is sufficient for any man to become an eminent scholar in any and every branch of learning, to all practical purposes. It is no less true that one must be well versed in these three languages, if he intends to have a thorough knowledge of any scientific branch. Still our young men are obliged by the straight-jacket system of our colleges, to spend much of their valuable time in the study of the Latin and Greek. The cause of this academical law is not yet fully ascertained. It would appear to us to be one of the good customs of the middle ages, which was inherited with many others of the same kind. But the learned professors, and surely they must best know it — say, we must study these two languages, because our scientific terminology is either Latin or Greek. The Latin is the mother of the English and many other languages. It is necessary that one reads the classics in the original, their beauty being impaired by the translation. We say give us a scientific terminology in our spoken language. Study the daughter languages instead of wasting your time with the dead mother. Study the works of modern authors, scientific, philosophical, historical or poetical, and you will derive much more real benefit from them than from the classics.
— February 2, 1855
150 Years ago
To The Editor Of The American Israelite
Ever since the “Union and College” became an assured success, at least two of our most influential reform rabbis have felt that the honor of establishing a college for the education of American Jewish ministers was really too great for a city like Cincinnati to bear with proper humility. Direct evidence of the existence of such a feeling was rare, but human nature is the same everywhere, and when the revered gentlemen who preach in such gorgeous edifices on Fifth and Lexington Avenues began to see — it took them a long time to see it — that American Judaism was ready to help itself to a College without their assistance, they naturally thought: It really won’t do to let the wild West accomplish so much; if we don’t hurry up Wise and Sonneschein and the rest of that crowd, will soon send us young rabbis, born, bred and educated in the United States. In player’s parlance, they said, “We must go one better”
Items
“Now,” said the Professor as he grew animated in the discussion, “all matter constantly changes. I have changed taking my seat here. Every single moment in my body there are tens of thousands blood corpuscles smashed to pieces and forever destroyed.” Senior on the back seat (in a voice expressive of deep wonder), “Gosh!”
— February 4, 1876
125 Years ago
– Mayor Van Wyck’s refusal to lower the flag over the New York City Hall to half mast in honor of Queen Victoria’s death, is an act every way worthy of Tammany’s tool. The English people can congratulate themselves that by this action they have been saved a mark of respect from a source which would make it a stain upon the memory of their dead sovereign.
– The Jews of Washington have made a protest to the school board against the use of the “Student’s Hymnal” in the public schools, on the ground that it is sectarian, and especially against the “doxology,” which is a song to the trinity and as such repugnant to the Jewish faith. The “Doxology” is essentially the Christian’s confession of faith. It has no more right to be used as a portion of public school exercises than has the “Shema” of the Jew.
– THE ISRAELITE has not joined in the general cry against the cadets at West Point Military Academy. Hazing in educational institutions is a most ancient custom, and though it is at times carried too far, the instances where actually lasting harm has come of it are few and far between. Besides, West Point is not a theological seminary, and it is soldiers that are being educated there. Any embryo army officer who has not the fortitude and nerve to endure a little rough treatment has missed his vocation and had better go back to civil life to look for it.
— January 31, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
The Ku Klux Klan of Indiana has lost 150,000 paid members since its organization in the State. This was disclosed by the testimony of J.E. MacQuinn, Atlanta, national cashier of the order, in a suit in progress. The Ku Klux Klan is suing the Independent Klan of America for $500,000 damages for alleged infringement of the name “Klan.” The Klan strength in the State now is 50,000.
New Jewish Fraternity At University of Texas
Tau Delta Phi, national Jewish Collegiate fraternity is the third Jewish fraternity to make its appearance on the campus of the University of Texas. Tau Delta Phi came into existence at the University Sunday, January 17, through the efforts of the members of the Beta Club, a local fraternity, that has been very active in Jewish affairs on the campus and that has taken a great interest in all Jewish activities since it was organized in January 1925.
Famous Jewish Pianist Arrives
Julius Wolfsohn, the famous European pianist of the Conservatory of Vienna, arrived on the “Majestic” Wednesday, January 13th, for a concert tour of eight weeks. This artist has attained a great reputation abroad for his programs of Jewish folk songs, and for his interpretation of Chopin and other great composers. His tour of America is sponsored by Mrs. Alexander Kohut and Mr. Ludwig Vogelstein of New York City.
— February 4, 1926
75 Years ago
Sidney Weil Elected To President of Wise Temple
Mr. Weil, the new president, was president of the former Reading Road Temple at the time of its merger with the former Plum Street Temple, to form Wise Temple.
Conflicting Views on Religious Equality In Israel Attributed to Rabbi Maimon
A conflict in views on the issue of religious equality in Israel was attributed to Rabbi Judah L. Maimon himself in the past few days. In Cincinnati Sunday evening, Feb. 4, at a dinner in his honor, Rabbi Maimon, Israel’s minister of religious affairs, was quoted in forthright advocacy of religious equality in Israel. But a report of his interview with Yiddish newspapermen in New York City Thursday, Jan. 25, quoted Rabbi Maimon as unsympathetic to the idea of religious equality in Israel. The American Israelite has asked Rabbi Maimon to clarify the situation and will publish his repose upon receipt.
— February 8, 1951
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Richard, Jr., proudly announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Edward Louis, on Saturday, Feb. 14th at 10:45 a.m., Rockdale Temple.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend the kiddush and luncheon following the service. No cards.
Kathi Kapell Wins Science Honors Rating
Miss Kathi Kapell, 17, of Walnut Hills High School senior, has been selected for the Honors Group of the 35th Annual Science Talent Search, the nation’s top science competition.
Miss Kapell, 4003 Beechwood Ave., Cincinnati, is one of eight Ohio students to win this high rating in the contest sponsored yearly by Science Service. All members of the Honors Group will be recommended for admission scholarships to the nation’s leading colleges and universities. These scholarships are supported by Westinghouse Educational Foundation.
— February 5, 1976
10 Years ago
Rockdale Temple welcomes Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz
On Friday, February 12, Rockdale Temple will kick off its annual scholar-in-residence weekend with Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz and the Religion of Chocolate. Varieties of chocolate will be available throughout the weekend. Rabbi Prinz has spent the last decade exploring the links between Jewish history and the history of chocolate. During Friday night Shabbat Services, Rabbi Prinz will give a sermon showing the path she traveled writing her book, which was published in 2013. She will weave the story of Jews and chocolate. After services, there will be an infused chocolate dinner.
— February 4, 2016
5 Years ago
Affirming the vaccine: When stepping up requires staring down fears
“Our people are leading by example,” said Jewish Family Service CEO Liz Vogel. “By stepping up and getting the Covid-19 vaccine, we are showing others in our community that it is a safe, proactive step toward stopping the pandemic.”
The passage from 2020 to 2021 was a transition that many in our country experienced as a kind of symbolic catharsis: out with the dreaded old year; in with the promising new year. But for Vogel and Debbie Balk, Director of StarPoint Home Care (a subsidiary of Jewish Family Service), the transition was more reality than metaphor. “In an attempt to figure out how we could get our staffs at StarPoint and Jewish Family Service vaccinated,” Balk said, “I had been working closely with Liz. And on New Year’s Eve, we got an email saying that our organizations were next in line for the vaccine.”
— February 4, 2021
