In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Israelitish Children in Public Schools
Napoleon Bonaparte has no such durable monument erected to his face, as that which marks him the founder of public education in France, and other European countries which he subdued to his sway, and when he invited the priests to return to the deserted altars of the French Church, it was an acknowledgement that the religious sentiment among a nation is necessary to the well-being of a state. Yet, notwithstanding, such were his sentiments, the tuition of the schools which he established was strictly secular, from which priest, minister and rabbi alike were excluded. The school-room was the nursery for forming good citizens, alike from every creed, and all peculiar doctrines were avoided as anti-national, and not fitted for the whole nation. Since then, other European states have taken prominent steps for the education of their people; and be it observed, that in proportion as they avoid doctrinal teachings, so do they succeed in forming their youth into intelligent and well-instructed men.
— March 9, 1855
150 Years ago
– The class of the Hebrew Union College is progressing finely. The last Sunday of this month, the Board will hold again an examination in Thorah and Thillium, Hebrew etymology complete, Mechilta, and in Mishnah Aboth and Sanbedrin. The class is getting well prepared to begin next fall. Professor Luzzattoe’s Aramaic Grammer (translated in English by Rev. Dr. Goldammer of this city, and published in New York), and the reading of the Talmud. The class has progressed in literary history from Ezra to the close of the Mishnah, 180 A.C. The System of beginning at the beginning proves a success.
– The mother of King David is named but once in Jewish literature, in the Talmud Babli, Baba Bathra 91 a. It is maintained there that her name was NITZEBETH, daughter of ODEL. The statement is made there on the authority of Abba Areka, who flourished about 200 A.C.
— March 10, 1876
125 Years ago
– The threatened excommunication of Tolstoy has at length been officially carried into effect by the Holy Synod of the Greek Catholic Church. This, of course, was to have been expected, as it is difficult to see what other course could have been pursued with such a stubborn heretic. Not so very long ago, he would have been made to recant under torture, and even now, were he a loser personage, he would be free from that danger. But being Tolstoy, neither State nor Church dare proceed to extremities against him. There was a time when to be banned really meant something, but now it is only the humorous side of the proceeding that appeals to most people.
– The enslavement and savage treatment of African-Americans in South Carolina may be a shocking revelation to the world in general, but there are many to whom this blot upon civilization will prove no surprise. Almost since the close of the Civil War, it has been customary to lease convicted criminals to private individuals and corporations, and if ever anything more than a pretext was made of guarding what rights these victims had left, it was of such infrequent occurrence to be unworthy of mention.
– The antics of Americans in Paris are manifold and variegated. The young man, Durant, who had himself killed off in a fictions duel, seems to be a type of the class whose money is far in excess of its brains. There are today in the capitals of Europe thousands of young men and women who are frittering away lives which they should be living to the glory of their native land. Nothing has done more for the prestige of England than the devotion of its leisure class. There the young are trained to consider their wreath and position a trust for the good of the country. Here, money only too often means the opportunity to live abroad in idleness—and often worse.
— March 7, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
– The United States Palestine Appeal for $5,000,000 to be expended in Palestine is expected to be raised within a short time. New York City has already passed the million dollar mark in its contribution, and its leaders expect to surpass their $1,500,000 quota. The Palestinian organizations which will benefit by this fund are the Palestine Foundation Fund (Keren Hayesod), Jewish National Fund, Hadassah, Medical Organization and Hebrew University Fund. Dr. Stephen S. Wise is Chairman of the Campaign.
– The Gutenberg Bible, bought recently for the record price of $106,000, is for sale again. This was made known by the book’s owner, Dr. A.S. Rosenbach, of New York. Dr. Rosenbach has been in Pasadena, California for several days inspecting the library of Henry F. Huntington, noted book collector, but denies that the rare Bible is to be purchased by Mr. Huntington.
Hebrew Union College
Rabbi Samuel S. Cohon, Professor of Theology at the Hebrew Union College, returned from a week’s visit to Chicago, his former home. While in Chicago, he delivered an address on the subject of “Authority in Judaism” before the Associate of Reform Rabbis of Chicago and vicinity. He likewise delivered a course of lectures on “Dogmas in Judaism” before the Faculties and students the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, McCormick Theological Seminary and Garrett Biblical Institute.
— March 11, 1926
75 Years ago
Cincinnatians Win Ohio First Prize In Essay Contest
Top prizes in the annual scholastic press contest of the Ohio Tuberculosis and Health Association were won by Jan Bettman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Bettman, 615 E. Mitchell Avenue; and Shirley Segal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Segal, 3012 Boudinot Avenue, Westwood.
Miss Bettman, a pupil at North Avondale School, was awarded first prize in the elementary school division for an article about TB in the school paper. Miss Segal, a student at Western Hills High School, won second prize in the senior high school division for an article in the Western Hills “Breeze.” She is a niece of Alfred Segal, columnist for The Cincinnati Post and The American Israelite.
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Youkilis, of 3978 Ardmore Avenue, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Marvyn Herschel, Saturday, March 17, at the Louise Feinberg Synagogue.
Friends and relatives are invited to kiddush after the service,
— March 15, 1951
50 years ago
Cincinnati NCJW to Entertain 300 Central District Delegates
The Cincinnati Section, National Council of Jewish Women, will be hostess to the Central District Convention, March 15-18 at the Netherland Hilton Hotel. Over 300 delegates will participate in the many meetings, panels and plenary sessions in an effort to further the progress of Council.
On Monday afternoon, there will be a Women’s Issue panel. The panelists include Margery K. Stich, who is co-founder and presently Volunteer Director of Volunteers of Government of Responsibility, VIGOR. It is a program designed to provide citizens with the opportunity of a part-time volunteer career in municipal government. Mrs. Stich’s subject will be “New Volunteer Life Styles.”
Bar Mitzvah
– Drs. Helena and Joseph Costantini, 7084 W. Aracome Drive, Amberley, announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their youngest son, Jay Kenneth, Saturday, March 27th, at 10:45 a.m. at Temple Sholom, 3100 Longmeadow Lane, Amberley.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddush following services.
– We take great pleasure in announcing the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of our son, Stanley, on Saturday, March 20, at 9 a.m., at Congregation Ohav Shalom, 1834 Section Road.
All of our friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with us on this happy occasion and attend the Kiddush following the services.
There will be no invitations.
Stanley is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Hazen, Mrs. Nellie Lepsky and the late Dr. Harry O. Lepsky.
Jack and Beryl Hazen
— March 11, 1976
10 Years ago
The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education and Cincinnati Partners to host joint Holocaust program
Holocaust. A word with no parallel in terms of the painful questions left unanswered. Can any meaningful messages be gleaned from this horror? And what, if any, are the messages the survivors want us to hear and share with the next generations?
“And You Shall Tell Your Children” was created to address these important concerns and will be presented locally as a joint endeavor of the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education and Cincinnati Partners.
— March 10, 2016
5 Years ago
A week of Israeli celebration kicks off April 11
April 11th kicks off a week of Israel celebrations in Cincinnati. “We will be memorializing both Yom HaShoah-Holocaust Remembrance Day-and Yom HaZikaron-Israel’s Memorial Day-with virtual ceremonies that will include speakers, poems, prayers and more as we honor those we have lost,” said Debra Silverman, Youth and Family Programming Specialist at the JCC.
— March 11, 2021
