In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Religion versus Sectarianism
It is in the nature of man to award his meed of praise to virtuous actions, and to view with feelings of indignation, any dereliction of duty or example of depravity. The exhibition of honesty under great temptation, a strict regard to justice under all circumstances, and a magnanimity and forbearance of conduct under trying provocations, have been duly honored as marking a noble character. The names of those who have signalized themselves by such qualities, are celebrated in song and story, whilst the votaries and abettors of vice and corruption have ever been followed by the contempt and execration of mankind. The humblest moral action is sure of being approved and applauded by every one that witnesses or hears of it, and on the other hand, the human heart is unable to overcome its aversion to meanness and deception, however trifling the amount of the deed may be. This beautiful attribute of the soul, inherent in its very nature, and so pleasing to the contemplation, is indispensable to the existence of society, and is but another, though an exalted instance, of the wise adaptation of means to a given end.
— March 23, 1855
150 Years ago
On Behalf of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
The Passover is approaching. Congregational meetings will be held in most all cities of the Union. Let the friends of the “Union” of Judaism, progress, enlightenment, peace and harmony, step forward in each meeting and urge the congregation to attach itself to the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and elect representatives to be present in the Council of Washington in July next, where our Hebrew congregations will celebrate the Centennial of our glorious Republic and the opening of a grand future for Israel’s sacred cause under the benign influence and mighty protection of freedom. There are now eighty congregations registered in the “Union.” In Washington, the majority of all American Hebrew Congregations must be represented, and tell the world in unmistakeable language, easily heard and readily understood, that Israel lives; that Israel’s cause prospers in the land of liberty; that Judaism is in the hands of the faithful sons and daughters; that we have a grand future before us.
– The want of ministers, who can speak English well, is felt most seriously in the West and the South. In the East, the German is still sufficient in the synagogues, though not in the Sabbath-Schools; but West and South, the English is indispensably necessary. All fresh arrivals from Europe, who cannot speak English, are respectfully invited to stay in the East, and all ministers in the East are advised to learn the English well before they think of going West or South.
— March 25, 1876
125 Years ago
– The “National Encyclopedia Company” of Cleveland, O., announces that it is compiling an immense history of the Jewish people of America. We do not know who or what the company is, but we will no doubt hear more of them in the future.
– The celebration of his seventieth birthday by Dr. Adolf Neubauer on the eleventh of this month has been made the occasion of congratulatory notices and expressions on the part of all who appreciate untiring literary industry and comprehensive Jewish scholarship. Dr. Neubauer’s name will be associated for all time with the band of great Jewish literateurs of the nineteenth century who brought to the notice of the world the great store of Hebrew manuscripts preserved in European libraries, public and private. Dr. Neubauer’s literary activity extends over a period of well nigh half a century; he has written many learned articles in magazines and journals and has published books rich in information on Jewish literary themes.
Jottings
The cover of Dr. Wise’s “Reminiscences,” which appeared on the anniversary of his death, has attracted much attention. Besides being extremely artistic both in design and combination of colors, the vignette of the author, which it bears is a novel. The cover was designed by Mrs. Leo Wise.
— March 28, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
– Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Chairman of the United Palestine Appeal, has announced that almost three times as many Jewish immigrants settled in Palestine last year as were admitted to the United States. The figures for the last United States immigration year ended June 30, 1925, and shows that 10,392 Jews were admitted to this country while 29, 132 settled in Palestine during the same period. The Jewish population in Palestine is given as 138,066, an increase of 60 percent in three years.
– For the first time since 1919, Young Judea, national Jewish youth organization, has issued a call for a leadership conference to be held in New York City, Saturday evening, April 10, and Sunday, April 11. Problems of leadership as presented by the clubs and the educational methods employed in Young Judea work will be discussed by prominent Jewish educators and by the leaders themselves.
Passover
The Jewish Feast of the Passover, commonly called Pesach, falls on the 15th day of Nisan, corresponding this year to Tuesday, March 30th, and lasts one week, although among the Orthodox Jews the celebration is continued one additional day, making eight days in all. Among the Reform Jews, only the first and seventh day are observed with public worship. As with all Jewish Festivals, observance begins on the evening previous, namely, Monday, March 29th. In addition to a brief service in the temple, there is a home service, known as the Seder, which is extremely interesting.
— March 25, 1926
75 Years ago
Dietitian Appointed For Camp Robert Krohn Livingston
Mrs. Hilda Stucker, trained home economist, has been appointed dietitian for the 1951 season at Camp Livingston, Ted Bader, director of the camp, announced.
Mrs. Stucker was camp dietitian at Camp Agawak, Wis., for the past two summers.
Registrations for Camp Livingston can be made with Miss Betty Kruke, registrar, at the Jewish Community Center, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jewish Music Festival April 5
The third in the series of three events of the Jewish Culture and Art series will be a city-wide celebration of Jewish Music Month on Thursday, April 5, with groups of the co-sponsoring organizations participating.
The Jewish Community Center Symphony Orchestra, under the director of Mr. Nicholas Gabor, and the Bureau of Jewish Education Choral Society, under the leadership of Mr. Rubin Phillips, will present a program of music of Jewish content which will take place at Wise Center Auditorium at 8:30 p.m.
— March 22, 1951
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Our son, Marc Alan, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah, on Saturday, the 3rd of April 1976, at 9 in the morning at Adath Israel Synagogue, 3201 E. Galbraith Road.
All of our friends and relatives are cordially invited to attend, to worship with us on this happy occasion and attend the Kiddush following the services.
Marc is the grandson of Mrs. Rose Simpson and the late David Simpson, Mrs. Pearl Lyons and the late Maxwell Lyons and the late Max C. Tennenbaum.
Joan and Joe Tennenbaum
Wiesenthal, Nemesis of Nazis
“I am a trouble maker.”
Those were the words of Simon Wiesenthal as he spoke to hundreds of people Tuesday night at Plum Street Temple. His appearance was scheduled for Purim, a time when Jews reminds themselves “to remember not once to forget.”
Wiesenthal founded and has maintained the Jewish Documentation Center in Vienna. It is no accident but rather “calculated trouble” that his office, devoted to tracking and bringing to justice Nazi criminals, is located here. “One half of the big crimes were committed by Austrians.” Wiesenthal said that he is frequently asked: “How much longer? Isn’t 30 years enough?”
To this he answers, “Crime has nothing to do with time.”
— March 25, 1976
10 Years ago
Purim Palooza at Adath Israel Congregation
On Sunday, March 20, Adath Israel Congregation held its annual Purim Palooza carnival for the children of the Religious School, their families and members of the congregation. Children came dressed in costumes ranging from the traditional Purim characters of Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus and Mordechai to princesses and superheroes. There were over 50 games to choose from as well as a green screen photo booth and face painters and balloon artists.
— March 24, 2016
5 Years ago
Jewish Family Service volunteers delivered Passover food to families in need
The twenty-third annual Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery Project of Jewish Family Service took place on Sunday, Mar. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. With the help of volunteers and donors, Jewish Family Service delivered more than five hundred Passover meals to vulnerable and homebound individuals and families. Passover will begin at sundown Saturday, Mar. 27.
— March 25, 2021
