In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Thirty Years Ago
Thirty years ago there were but a few Hebrew congregations in this country. The representatives of the ancient creed were limited to New York, Philadelphia, Newport, R.I., Richmond and Charleston. And even in those five cities our number was so insignificant that we passed almost unnoticed. Judaism had no place among the various creeds of this country; it was not attacked, hence not defended; it was not expounded, hence not known; it was not exposed to the public eye, hence it attracted no notice.
But the change is marvelous. In our days, Hebrew congregations flourish in every considerable town of this country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The little congregation rapidly increased to numerous bodies, and new congregations spring up daily. The religious sentiments of the thousands of our brethren gave birth to numerous institutions. Splendid edifices are devoted as temples of the Most High; Hebrew schools are established almost everywhere; charitable institutions are supported; hospitals are called into existence, in New York, Cincinnati and New Orleans; societies of all descriptions, literary, benevolent or for mutual support and improvement rise everywhere among us; Judaism exists, and its benevolent operation becomes visible in its institutions.
— April 27, 1855
150 Years ago
Yankee Doodle In 1814
Americans when questioned what is their “national air,” or tune, sometimes hesitate whether to say they have none of three. The tune called “America” is perhaps often performed as such than any other, though its music is not native to our country. But in a sense, “America,” “Hail Columbia” and “Yankee Doodle” are all “national airs” of the United States. The following incident shows how the question stood in the minds of our statesman more than sixty years ago.
At the close of the late war with England, by the treaty of peace at Ghent (in Belgium) after the Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain and the United States had nearly concluded their pacific labors, the burghers of that old Dutch city determined to give an entertainment in their honor, and desired to have the national airs of the two treaty-making powers performed, as part of the program. So the musical director was directed to call upon the American Ministers to obtain the music of the national air of the United States.
Bird’s Foreknowledge
An eminent European ornithologist has just given to the world the results of his observations concerning the influence of epidemics upon birds, to which he has devoted the last thirty years of his life. His statements, fortified by numerous reference to facts, are secular and decidedly interesting. The chief of his conclusions is that birds like the sparrows and others of various species will leave any city that is treated with an epidemic, as cholera, for instance, and return only after the disease has abated.
— April 28, 1876
125 Years ago
– According to recent reports, Mrs. Carrie Nation is violently insane, and it has been found necessary to place her under restraint. Now let the fanatical temperance advocates ask themselves to what extent the encouragement they gave her is responsible for this sad state of affairs.
– Rabbi Emil G. Hirsch says that if Moses came to Chicago he would find the temples empty on Sunday. Well, that certainly could not fail to give Moses satisfaction, and might even to some extent console him for the discovery that the Chicago stores are crowded on the Sabbath. Does the learned Doctor mean to imply that he has the endorsement of Moses for the Sunday-Sabbath?
– In a communication dated February 28, 1901, was given to the public for the first time Secretary Hay’s instructions to the American Charge d’Affaires at Constantinople to protest against the discriminative restrictions ordered by the Porte to be placed on Jews going to Palestine. American Jews going to the Holy Land will therefore have the same rights as American Christians, as heretofore, neither more nor less, which is as it should be.
— May 2, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
The Bill introduced by Congressman Dickstein to admit outside the quota the wives and minor children of ministers and rabbis as well as professors, who arrived in America prior to July 1st, 1924, has been passed by the House of Representatives.
How Many Jews In Palestine?
In a cable message received by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Chairman of the United Palestine Appeal, from Dr. Weizmann, President of the World Zionist Organization, Dr. Weizmann announces the arrival of the first 100,000 new Jewish settlers in the New Palestine. The report, however, does not say whether this means that there were 100,00 new Jewish settlers in Palestine or whether there are now that number in all, including those who were there before the recent large immigration set in. Commenting on this, Dr. Weizmann speaks of the settlement of 100,000 new Jewish pioneers on the land. This statement may be correct, but it is a question. It would be very satisfactory to many Zionists, non-Zionists and even anti-Zionists to get some reliable Palestine statistics without comment, for instance, how many Jews were there in Palestine when it became a British mandate.
— April 29, 1926
75 Years ago
Golda Myerson To Address Bonds and JWF Rallies
Mrs. Golda Myerson, Israel’s Minister of Labor, will be in Cincinnati Monday, April 30, to address a luncheon meeting at the Netherland Plaza for the “Bonds of Israel” campaign. The drive will open May 1.
Mrs. Myerson will leave the bond campaign meeting long enough to speak at the Victory Luncheon of the Women’s Division of the Jewish Welfare Fund campaign, which also will be held at the Netherland Plaza.
The same evening Mrs. Myerson will be the speaker at a rally of bond committees of Greater Cincinnati Jewish organizations, at a place to be announced.
As an American by birth, Mrs. Myerson has long been active in the Zionist movement, and played an important role in bringing the young state of Israel into being.
First-Run Pictures At Valley Theatre
Louis Wiethe announces that the Valley Theatre now is the home of first run movies.
The public can see 20th Century Fox pictures in first-run engagements there.
The Valley Theatre has a 600-car parking lot.
This new policy opens with “Follow The Sun,” the life story of Ben Hogan, golf champion, starring Anne Baxter and Glenn Ford.
— April 26, 1951
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– As my father and grandfather before me, it is now I who will be called to the Torah at a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 8, 1976, at 9 a.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue, 3201 Galbraith Road.
My parents, Frieda and Myron, wish to extend to you an invitation to join us in worship and celebrate this Simcha at the Kiddush following services.
David Gideon Greenberg
– The Bar Mitzvah of Richard Scott Biederman will take place Saturday, May 8th, at 10:45 a.m., at Rockdale Temple, 8501 Ridge Road. Richard is the son of Mr. Irving Biederman and the late Mrs. Anita Biederman.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family.
Mr. Irving Biederman
Elie Wiesel To Speak at JFC’s Annual Meeting
Elie Wiesel “eloquent spokesman for world Jewry,” will address the community at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati annual meeting, Monday, May 24, at 8 p.m. at Rockdale Temple it was announced today by Mrs. I. Mark Zeligs, Federation president.
“We are exceptionally fortunate to have Mr. Wiesel as our speaker,” she said.
— April 29, 1976
10 Years ago
Northern Hills Synagogue – Congregation B’nai Avraham presents Cantor Sharon Hordes at HaZak program
Cantor Sharon Hordes will sing songs from the American popular songbook by Jewish composers and be accompanied on piano by Claire Lee on May, 18 2016 at the Northern Hills monthly Hazak program.
Cantor Hordes received a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University School of Music. She received her cantorial training from Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2002.
— April 28, 2016
5 Years ago
Atara students explore the power of words
Years of study and months of work culminated for the students of Atara Girls High School in an exhibition entitled “Words Build Worlds,” on Tuesday and Wednesday, Apr. 20-21, 2021. The exhibit, which occupied three rooms and a hallway on the ground floor of the school, combined Hebrew quotations, artwork and texts written by the students to explore the power of words — largely for good, but also acknowledging the power of words to wreak evil.
— April 29, 2021
