In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Foreign Record
Jerusalem, July 30. — On the 26th inst., the first Jewish hospital, situated opposite the still exiting wall of the Temple, was consecrated by Dr. Albert Cohn, President of the Israelitish Consistorial Committee and of the German benevolent association as Paris, in presence of the Austrian Prussian, French and English Consuls. A large number of Jews attended this gratifying spectacle, listening to the speeches delivered on the occasion in French, Arabic, Spanish and German. That the day might be one of universal rejoicing for the whole city, bread was not only distributed among all the Jewish poor, but also 1,000 francs were sent to the respective Christian and Mahomedan authorities for distribution among their poor. The first expenses, as also the cost of furnishing, were defrayed by the Brothers Rothschild.
— September 15, 1854
150 Years ago
Items
– A whole village in Roumania was completely swallowed up by an earthquake. The inhabitants escaped.
– Abraham Pirkowitz, the Karaite, one of the finest scholars of the sect, died. He left behind some valuable Hebrew manuscripts.
– It was reported to the Geographical Society in London, in its session of July 7, that in the palace of Sonherib in Nineveh, lately exhumed, over two thousand bricks were found covered with inscriptions, some of which prove beyond a doubt the existence of King Nimrod, the founder of Babel. It will take years to read those inscriptions fully.
Editor’s note: The site to which this news item refers is likely the Southwest Palace of Sennacherib. During this period of excavation, archaeologist and linguist George Smith uncovered tablets referring to a flood. This would eventually be pieced together with several other tablets. It comprises the flood narrative from the Epic of Gilgamesh, a tale which likely inspired the flood story of the book of Genesis.
— September 18, 1874
125 Years ago
Israelite Business
– Communications not signed by the writers will not be published or preserved. Criticisms of public institutions, men and events will be published only over the signature of the writer.
– Mrs. F.D Silverman is traveling in the West in the interest of the AMERICAN ISRAELITE and Die Deborah. She is our authorized agent.
Jottings
– The Jews of Selma, Ala., are building a new and handsome temple.
– The Fremont, Ohio Jewish citizens have organized a congregation with L. Yandorf, president; M. Gusdorf, secretary, and Simon Wolf, treasurer.
– At Austin, Texas, Miss Anderson, a convert from Chrisitanity, embraced Judaism in the synagogue in the presence of a large congregation. She will shortly be married to Mr. Israel M. Nunez, a well known young business man of that city.
– Word comes from London that Queen Victoria has sent to Emperor William of Germany a prized copy of her family tree, showing King David at the top. A pet idea entertained by the Queen is that she is descended from the psalmist through Zedekiah’s oldest daughter, and it is said that Emperor William’s conviction of his divine authority is greatly due to his grandmother’s foible.
— September 21, 1899
100 Years ago
Jews Leave Cleveland Chess Club on Account of Anti-Semitism
Cleveland. — All Jewish members, as well as some non-Jewish members withdrew from the Cleveland Chess Club, for the purpose of forming a separate organization as a protest against the flagrant anti-Semitic attitude manifested by the club’s secretary.
The secretary, during a membership drive, issued cards as follows: “Good luck to all who shun Jews. In the future, only those speaking the American language will be admitted. No more Jewish jabber in this club room.” — (JTA)
Jottings
– Hotel Kaaterskill erected in 1882, at the highest point of the Catskill Mountains, was destroyed by fire last week. Its proximity to New York City made it the favorite resort of many New York people It was owned by Harry Tannenbaum, of Lakewood, N.J.
– A delegation of the Oze, the Jewish Health Society, will shortly proceed to American for the purpose of creating an American branch of the society. The Oze has been active in Russia and in other Eastern European countries in extending sanitary assistance to the Jewish populations in the war stricken countries. The delegation will also endeavor to raise funds for the society in America.
– The majority given the Republican candidate for Governor of Maine who had the endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan, in a measure, sets off the anti Ku Klux Klan victory in Texas and Oklahoma. It is impossible to form a correct judgement as to the future of this un-American organization. The results of the election all over the country are so varied and the statements made in this connection so contradictory that the whole thing is a muddle, and it is impossible to foretell whether or not the National and State Governments are to be dominated by political parties or by a secret, oath-bound organization.
— September 18, 1924
75 Years ago
Good news for camera fans
Plans are under way for the initial meeting of the Camera Club. If you are a lens fanatic and enjoy meeting with other photography enthusiasts, you will want to take advantage of the facilities offered by the Camera Club. Morris Amarant will conduct again this year.
If you are interested, call Mildred Friedman at UN 78 — after 1 p.m. or in the evenings or just drop by the center.
$200,000 Sought to Improve Historic Wise Temple and Center
The beautiful and historic Isaac M. Wise Temple, at Eighth and Pm streets, mother temple of American Reform Judiasim, dedicated 83 years ago, with its towering, graceful Moorish minarets, impressive domes and gorgeous interior adornments, is being renovated and redecorated at a cost of $100,000.
Another $100,000 will be spent on improvements and expansion at Wise Center, Reading Road and North Crescent Avenue, also used by the congregation for religious services and educational activities.
The Plum Street Temple, regarded by many as a national shrine of Reform Judaism, was built under the aegis of the distinguished Dr. Isaac M. Wise, who served his Cincinnati congregation for nearly half a century. He was an outstanding pioneer leader in the reform movement, and founder of its institutions – founder of the Hebrew Union College and American Israelite in Cincinnati, and of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He was president of the college from its founding in 1875 to his death in 1900.
— September 22, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Please be with us on the happy occasion of our son David’ Bar Mitzvah at the Issac M. Wise Temple, Eighth and Plum Streets, Cincinnati, Saturday morning, Sept. 28, at 10:45 a.m.
Join us for Kiddish immediately following services.
-Marsha and Mike Caplan
Yavneh Day School Board Presents Guardian of Torah Award to Mrs. Fox
Mrs. Abram (Matilda) Fox has been awarded the “Guardian of the Torah” award of Yavneh Day School by the Yavneh Board.
Mrs. Fox, a widely known contributor to Jewish causes in the United States and Israel, and noted in the Cincinnati community for her love for children, was presented the award at the June meeting. Dr. S. Marcus Wigser, president, and George Lebowitz, educational director, made the presentation.
Mr. Lebowitz remarked that Mrs. Fox has demonstrated her concern that Torah be taught and transmitted to a future generation of Jewish children, and has devoted her life to the benefit of the Jewish community and Israel.
Mr. Lebowitz and the Board thanked Mrs. Fox.
— September 19, 1974
25 Years ago
Wiesel to speak at Weiland tribute dinner November 7
Nobel Peace Prize winner and Boston University Professor Elie Wiesel will delver the keynote address at the 17th Annual Cincinnati Associates Tribute Dinner of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion on Sunday, November 7 at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.
This event, honoring local community activist Richard A. Weiland, has raised more that $1.5 million, to date, in support of the College-Institute.
The Cincinnati Associates are men and women whose commitment and annual support augment the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s programs teaching, research and public service.
JCC to host Sukkot Spectacular Sept. 25
A Velcro Wall, SpaceWalk, balloon sculpting, face painting and live music highlight the third annual “Sukkot Spectacular” on Wednesday, September 29, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center’s Lindner-Peerless Paviilion. There will be games and rides, Chasidic music and dancing, and a craft project.
— September 23, 1999
10 Years ago
Valley Temple educator wins national award
Alison Weikel, Director of Education of Valley Temple received the Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Education. Ms. Weikel was nominated by her synagogue for the city-wide honor, and then was selected as one of the six national award winners, 25 others received regional honors. As part of her award, Ms. Weikel received a trip to the New CAJE conference in Los Angeles, where she was presented the award, and received a stipend for her work and her synagogue.
In nominating Ms. Weikel for the award, her supervisor, Rabbi Sandford Kopnick said, “Alison demonstrates the value: kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (all of the Jewish people are responsible for one another) both by the way she lives and the way she does her job.”
— September 18, 2014
