In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
A journal, having as interesting an object in view as the discussion of the affairs, past and present, of the Hebrew people, will be doubtless welcomed by every friend of literature, and lover of truth, especially will it be sought after by every Jew, who is desirous of having his time honored faith defended from the numerous attacks made on it, and the scandals uttered against it by those fanatics, who least comprehend its merits (merits that ages of civil, political, and ecclesiastical persecution have fruitlessly striven to misrepresent or keep in abeyance.)
The Paper will be under the supervision of the undersigned, aided by an efficient corps of assistants, and arrangements have been made through able correspondents for the early publication of every transaction in Europe and America, of interest to the Jewish public — the columns of the paper will moreover be open for the free, open, and fair discussion of any topic, tending to elevate Hebrew religion, literature, etc., but no article will be inserted knowing to contain personalties — the object of the Journal being to advance, enlighten, and to improve — all its means and all its efforts must be used to those ends solely.
Much can be presented through the medium of such a Paper as “The Israelite” proposes to be, and the hope is entertained that the children of the Mosaic faith widely scattered as they are through this vast continent — may learn in the pages of this Journal more of their revered faith, more of the piety of the martyrs who have suffered in its defense, more of the biography of its sages, its rabbis, its prophets and its commentators — be awakened to as sense of their mission, know and feel its glorious tendency, and be thus tough to know themselves, and be drawn nearer and nearer in communion with their creator.
REV. DR. I. M. WISE.
— July 28, 1854
150 Years ago
– For Rent – A large furnished front room, for one or two gentlemen, at No. 258 Longworth Street, between Smith and Mound.
– Wanted – Situation – For a first-class bookkeeper and financier, conversant also with the German and French, apply to R.M., care of Isaac M. Wise.
Jewesses Enslaved
While in America slavery is abolished, there are in our immediate [Lemberg; modern-day Lviv, Ukraine] vicinity existing white slaves, the basest kind of abduction (kidnapping), whereby the harems of the Orient are supplied. This outrageous business is carried on in the countries bordering on European Turkey, as well as around the eastern coast of Africa.
The women are most beautiful blondes, who, as soon as they reach maidenhood, are surrounded by thousands of dangers; at every step they risk to fall into the hands of Arabian ravishers. Even in their own home they are not safe, for the gang, full of murderous appetite and rapacity penetrate the houses and carry off the unfortunate maidens in order to pass her life in degradation and disgraceful depended of a Turkish or Arabic harem, so that in many instances they prefer taking their own lives.
A Cheap Bible
Among the first benefits which the Union of American Hebrew Congregations has bestowed on Israel at large, we must count the reaction of the retail price of three dollars to one dollar for a single copy of Lesser’s English Bible.
This Bible contains the twenty-four books of the Holy Scriptures, carefully translated according to the Massoretic text after the best Jewish authorities, is clearly printed on good white paper, and bound in leather and is the only English Bible translated by an Israelite.
— July 30, 1875
125 Years ago
Review of the Causes of Modern Anti-Semitism
Mr. John Bell Sanborn of the Ohio State University has an article in this month’s Arena on “The Jew in Modern Europe.” It is a clear-cut and dispassionately written article, and one that is of keen interest to the Jew. He traces the rise and growth of anti-Semitism in Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary and France. Like all Christian writers (I presume Mr. Sanborn is a Christian), he places the movement on an economic and social rather than on a religious basis.
Jottings
– Messrs. W.J. Hayes & Sons, Bankers, are bringing out an issue of Van Wert. Ohio, Gas Light Co. bonds which appear to be an exceptional 5% investment. They will take pleasure in mailing full details on application.
– Mr. Charles Kahn of Moorman Ave., was taken to the Jewish Hospital, Monday, in a dangerous condition, to be operated upon. He stood the operation nicely and the physicians and nurses are hopeful for his recovery. He has been seriously ill for a long time.
– The Zoo. – During the past week the attendance has been very large, especially on the concert nights. As has been announced early in the season the concerts are given rain or shine, as 2000 persons can be comfortably accommodated on the spacious clubhouse verandas.
— July 26, 1900
100 Years ago
Wants – Nurse. Graduate Class A, University school. Will care for chronic patient or mentally defective child in her home; beautifully furnished room, private bath, sleeping porch, large grounds. Located near French Lick. Add M.R. care of American Israelite.
Jottings
– A census taken by the statistical section of the Palestine Zionist Executive reveals that the Jewish population of Palestine has increased 100 per cent, in the last four and a half years. On June 1, the Jewish population numbered 115,151, according to government figures, but the actual number is believed to be considerably higher.
– To anyone familiar with those sections of the country within a radius of fifty miles of Cincinnati, the signs on the auto-busses lined up on Government Square are interesting. Cincinnati has the advantage of a tri-state service, bringing many communities in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky much closer to the city. What the effect of this new mode of transport will be on the traction companies and the interurbans is still problematical but to the merely casual observer it would appear that there is enough traffic in these districts that has never come to Cincinnati to give sufficient support to all modes of transportation, and in addition there is the freight and express service which is becoming more and more important and will continue to grow as the passenger service expands.
— July 30, 1925
75 Years ago
Jewish Hospital News
There was no fanfare and no prepared speech, but the recent presentation of approximately $78 to the Jewish Hospital Cancer Clinic was an impressive affair. Michael Pichel, Justin Libby, Susanjane Hersch, Ilene Sherman and Alan Max, all of the Gholson Avenue Apartments, and ranging in ages from 10 to 12 years, represented the donors to this worthwhile cause.
Wise Center
Do You Know How To Pray?
You object that prayers are repetitious. So are birth and pain and joy and death. The basic emotions are many. Every great symphony repeats a limited number of musical ideas. But they set off great surges of feeling in the listener. It is not what is in the prayer book that is alone important. The more you experience, the more meaning and satisfaction you find in these expressions of universal human sentiments. Nor need you sacrifice your intelligence, your freedom of inquiry or judgment to gain this faith. You need only sacrifice your brittle sensualism, your all-persuasive, all-absorbing materialism, your nose to the grind absorption in the trivia of life.
— July 27, 1950
50 years ago
Mission to Israel
“Come with us” is the theme adopted by the JFC Leadership Council for the Koach Mission to Israel [led by] Barry Lucas and Myron Levin, co-chairmen Leadership Council Missions Committee…
Susan Peskin and Marlene Rauchman prepare for a billiard game in the teen game room while waiting their reservation time for one of the tennis courts at the Jewish Community Center.
Bar Mitzvah
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Saul Kirschner in honor of Bar Mitzvah of grandson, from Mr. & Mrs. Herberg Seelig.
— July 31, 1975
25 Years ago
Judith Diekmeyer joins Yavneh as Middle School Principal. Mrs. Diekmeyer, a Cincinnati native, taught in the Princeton School District for seven years. For the past 20 years, she has been with Cincinnati Hebrew Day School as a teacher, interim principal, and – for the past six years – as Assistant Principal.
— July 27, 2000
10 Years ago
Rockdale Temple Honors 20-30 Year Members: George Zahn, Lori Zahn, Stuart Zanger, Karen Zanger, Dolores Goldfinger, Robert Ingberg, Rabbi Sigma Coran, Ellen Drake, Barbara Turner-Michaelson, Perry Leitner, Bobbie Leitner, Nancy Schwartz and Gerald Schwartz.
Northern Hills Synagogue Introduces Guest Cantor Heather Batchelor. Batchelor graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary
— July 30, 2015
