In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Gentlemen—I, this day, read your No. 36, and am surprised to find my information inserted so very different to what I wrote you, and in order to set matters right again, state, the building presented to the congregation “Dispersed of Judah,” by the late Judah Touro, no longer exists; it’s now entirely down; all the ground, which he, the late Judah Touro, presented them with, is sold, and the builder promises by Oct. 1st to have erected three stores; these will be rented, and the revenue accruing from them, will more than support the new synagogue, they soon contemplate building on St. Charles Street. My previous letter may have enabled you to commit the error you have made; no such idea has existed, as building a synagogue with stores underneath, as you make me appear to have said to you. The German congregation on Sunday next will elect their officers for one year; much excitement exists among them. I will endeavor to keep you well posted on all matters concerning us here, but do no misrepresent me.
Yours,
Issac Hart
— April 13, 1855
150 Years ago
The Imposed Holy Days
Next Sunday is orthodox Sunday. The Orthodox Christians keep the Pope’s Easter, Sunday; and the orthodox Jews keep the Rabbinical Easter: the eighth day thereof. As little as the Christian Easter, Pentecost or Christmas is ordained in the Bible, or could be referred back to any so-called inspired second holy days be justified from any Biblical standpoint, especially with those who expound the law, “And thou shalt not add,” etc., to refer to all commandments of Pentateuch.
The Christian holy days, it is well known, were originally priestly impositions. The Jewish Chanukah was changed into Christmas, without any definite knowledge when Jesus was born, which is not known now. The Jewish Passover was turned into the Christian Easter, and the redemption of Israel from Egypt, which is the historical foundation of the Passover, was replaced by the redemption of the heathens from sin and damnation by the blood of the crucified one.
A Supplement to Massachusetts Intolerance
The Boston case of Sabbath imposition and license tyranny, lately referred to in these columns, has its duplicate in Pennsylvania, as the following letter and Appeal, sent us by the interested parties for publication, will amply show. It is strange that those sapient aldermen, councilmen, legislators and petty politicians cannot comprehend that Democracy means equality first, freedom and justice to all and any particular thing then, if it collides not with this first principle. They appear to be too stupid to understand their religious prejudices are theirs exclusively.
— April 14, 1876
125 Years ago
– No library in a Jewish home, Sabbath-school, congregation or club should be without a copy of Dr. Wise’s “Reminiscences.” This edition is a limited one and will soon be exhausted. All desiring copies will find it advisable to order at once of the publishers.
– Unless something occurs in the near future to cause the municipal authorities of Prague, Bohemia, to change their plans, the famous ancient burial grounds of the Jews will be converted into building lots. This piece of ground has been a cemetery since the sixth century and possibly earlier, and beside it stands the famous “Alt-Neue Schul,” the most ancient synagogue in the world. Thousands of Jews come to Prague annually for no other purpose than to see these places, and to many the visit is very much in the nature of a pilgrimage.
– The prosecution of Jews for violation of Sunday laws at Boston is very much in the nature of a persecution. The state law exempts observers of the seventh day Sabbath from the operation of Sunday laws. The police authorities of Boston, however, make this law inoperative by ignoring the well-known fact that the Sabbath lasts from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, and treat those who open their stores on Saturday evening as non-observers of the seventh day and outside of the protection of this law.
— April 18, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
– For the first time in the history of B’nai Abraham Congregation, of Newark, N.J., women made their appearance at the last meeting of the board of trustees on an equal footing with the male members.
– The Administrative Committee of the American Jewish Congress has issued a call to all Jewish communities throughout the country to prepare for the election of new Delegates to the American Jewish Congress. The elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday evening, May 29th, Sunday, May 30th and Monday, May 31st. A Session of the Congress will take place next October.
Religious Piracy In Canada
In Canada, as in the United States and in Great Britain, the flow of money into the treasury of the various church societies for the conversation of Jews to Christianity has for a number of years been steadily diminishing. The officers of these organizations and the paid employees seem to fear that in the near future the finical support given to the missions is in danger of becoming a negligible quantity and as try to make apostates has never been a labor of love, the actual work being done by well paid emissaries, it would have to be discontinued or carried on a very small scale. The Christian public is becoming shy and saving the souls of the Jews no longer appeals to them.
— April 15, 1926
75 Years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lerer, of 1870 Garden Lane, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Gerald Marvin, Passover Sunday morning, April 22, at 9 a.m., at Beth Am.
Relatives and friends are invited to kiddush after services.
City Council Drops Cincinnati-Munich Affiliation Plan
Munich (Germany) will not be made Cincinnati’s affiliate-city by Cincinnati City Council.
City Council so decided by unanimous action in session Wednesday afternoon, April 4.
Council acted in response to protests from the Cincinnati Jewish Community Council against a Cincinnati-Munich affiliation recommendation from the City Affiliation Committee.
The controversy “broke” Wednesday at City Council’s meeting three weeks previously, on Wednesday, March 14, when the Affiliation Committee informed Council that Munich was the CAC’s choice.
— April 12, 1951
50 years ago
Gary H. Rabiner is Nominated for Delegate to Jerusalem
Gary H. Rabiner, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati vice president, has been nominated for designation by the United Israel Appeal as a delegate to the 1976 Assembly of the Jewish Agency for Israel meeting in Jerusalem July 12-15. (This will be the fifth gathering of world Jewish leadership to determine the program and directions for the Jewish Agency since its reconstitution, Mr. Rabiner, chairman of the Federation’s Fund Raising Division, has served in many leadership posts in the Federation structure.
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bardach are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Robert Arthur, on Saturday, May 1, at 9 in the morning at Adath Israel Synagogue, Galbraith and Ridge Roads.
Bobby is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Gerson and Mr. Max Bardach and the late Rose Bardach.
Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with the family and join them for the Kiddush following the services.
No cards.
– Mr. and Mrs. David Lazarus announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Stephen, Saturday, April 17, at 10:45 a.m. at Rockdale Temple. Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with the family, and attend the Kiddush following Services; there will be no invitations.
— April 15, 1976
10 Years ago
Hadassah to honor Carol Anne Schwartz
Cincinnati Chapter of Hadassah’s Annual Donor Luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 17th at the Kenwood Country Club at 11 a.m. During registration, a variety of boutique items and Hadassah cards are available for purchase. After a delicious lunch buffet, we will honor our own Carol Ann Schwartz, past Chapter President, past Region President and current Nations Board member. There will also be a raffle for fabulous prizes, including jewelry and gift certificates to area restaurants. Reservations are required.
— April 14, 2016
5 Years ago
Gene Mesh awarded Israel Bonds’ Legacy Scroll of Honor
Gene Mesh was presented with Israel Bonds’ Legacy Scroll of Honor in a ceremony that took place in Gene’s home attended by four generations of his family and his close friends. The presentation coincided with Gene’s 90th birthday.
The Legacy Scroll of Honor was created for Israel Bonds’ 70th anniversary.
— April 15, 2021
