In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Choir.
Last Friday evening, August 4th, the choir performed for the first time the singing part of divine service in the Lodge Street Synagogue. The large concourse of worshippers on that occasion is a fair demonstration that this reform was desired by the vast majority of the members of that synagogue, and is approved of by the members of other congregations.
The choice consists of thirty-two persons: fifteen young ladies, nine lads, seven young men and their leader, Mr. Hess.
The parents of the singers looked especially delighted. Upon us those songs made an indescribable impression. We felt once more the beauty and sublimity of Hebrew poetry. When the passage was sung in Adon Olom, “He is my God, the Redeemer of my life,” etc., tears filled our eyes, feeling once more the truth of these words.
— August 11, 1854
150 Years ago
Local and Domestic
– Among the unfortunate passengers of the Pat Rogers, one Maier Goldman, of New Orleans, lost his life. His body was taken to Louisville for interment. From all we learn, the deceased was our old and venerable friend, for years sexton of the German Hebrew congregation of New Orleans, whose extensive knowledge and active philanthropy has made him well known and appreciated by numerous friends and acquaintances. We are not certain yet as to his identity, and abstain from any further remarks.
Editor’s Note: The Pat Rogers was a steamboat that delivered mail along the Ohio River. The boat caught fire at about 5:00 a.m. Approximately 11 people died in the accident.
– A person calling himself C.L Ryder, A.M., advertised in Battle Creek, Mich., that he was a rabbi, a native of Jerusealem, and that he officiated in Chicago, but was now a Christian by converse and traveled to “establish the truth of Chrisitanity.” That man is a five-fold liar. He is no native of Jerusalem, his name is not Ryder, he is no A.M., he is no rabbi, and he never officiated as such in Chicago. He is a vulger imposter and swindler. If there is one word of falsehood in this statement we are willing to forfeit any amount of money — large enough to make pseudo Ryder look like a decent man. Battle Creek papers please copy.
The Location of the College
The Council unanimously selected Cincinnati as the permanent place for the Hebrew Union College.
Geographically Cincinnati holds a central position between north and south, east and west, connected with all parts of the country by steam and electricity, accessible in all season of the year from all points of the compass.
In all scholastic respects, Cincinnati offers the most except opportunities, second to no city in the Union, for young men to go through any course of studies for any avocation or profession.
— August 14, 1874
125 Years ago
Labor Day Proclamation
In setting apart one day in the year as Labor Day, the Legislature of the State of Ohio intended to emphasize the fact that in this country and state it is honorable to work; that the laborer must be respected; the he is to be recognized as one to whom all the avenues of distinction in society are open, as they are to any other citizen.
The first Monday in September is enjoined by said act of the Legislature to be regarded in every respect as the first day of the week, on which it is unlawful to perform common labor.
It is therefore my duty to call upon our business men and manufacturers to close their places of business, their shops, and their factories on the day mentioned, just as they do on Sunday, for such is the law, in order that their employees may have an opportunity to join in the festivities of the day or to celebrate the day as they see fit.
Gustav Tafel, Mayor. Cincinnati. August 10, 1899.
Editor’s Note: President Grover Cleveland instituted Labor Day as a national holiday in 1894.
Items
– A furious newspaper war is being waged in the columns of the London Jewish Chronicle over the Sunday service question, whose Mose prominent advocate is Mr. Oswald John Simon. The arguments pro and con are very much the same as those which were used in the United States a few years ago.
– The story of Remus and Romulus, how their mother died young, and how a wolf came and nourished them, and how they grew up to manhood and build the first two houses of the city of Rome, this old legends accepted in the Midrash (see Yalkut, Thchillim 652), so much about the historical accuracy of the Rabbinical legends.
— August 17, 1899
100 Years ago
J.T.A. Expands
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has opened a branch office in Los Angeles, under the management of Ellis Ranen, formerly head of the Jewish Department of the Foreign Language Information Service, for the purpose of better serving the press of the Pacific region. Service has been commenced by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to El Diaro Israelite of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jottings
– Henry Ford has been nominated for the office of U.S. senator from Michigan on the Republican ticket, (he used to be a Democrat until the prospect of getting Muscle Shoals changed his politics) by the filing of eleventh hour petitions, of which fact he professed to be ignorant, until he saw the announcement in the papers. Now comes Roy M. Harrop, of Detroit, who is nominated for the Vice-Presidency on the People’s Progressive Party, and insists that Uncle Henry had received the presidential endorsement in the Nebraska primaries and should be placed on the ticket as to the preference of that State. Evidently Ford is determined to get a vote, be it ever so small, for some very big office in order to impress the people with the belief that he is a person of some real consequence outside of the automobile business.
– Jacob Gussman, the chalet arrested on the suspicious that he hd participated in the murder of Dr. Israel DeHaan, was released on fifty pounds bail.
– At an important meeting of the Congregation of the Rodef Sholom Synagog, Los Angeles, Cal., last week, a resolution was passed abrogating the use of sacramental wine by his congregation in the future. It was declared that all permits in the name of the Rodef Sholom Congregation will be cancelled and there will be no traficking in “sacramental wine” in the name of this congregation in the future.
— August 14, 1924
75 Years ago
School Bus Permanent For North Avondale If Well Patronized
In accordance with information received from Mrs. Harry Pfeffer, vice president of North Avondale School PTA, who was instrumental in bringing about this special service, the Cincinnati Street Railway is going to operate a school bus on a 60-day trial basis from North Avondale school. The bus will leave that point at 3:35 p.m. running over to Dickson, to Mitchell, to Reading Road, making stops at Avondale Avenue, Lenox, Marion, Dana, North Crescent, Burton, Greenwood, South Crescent and returning on Reading Road as far as Rockdale Avenue, enroute to the buses’ Avondale Garage at Reading Road and McMillan Street.
Continuance of this service depends upon patronage. The school fare of five cents will be collected from each pupil. Parents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity so that this service will be permanent.
Social and Personal Notes
– Mr. Norman Appel won the men’s singles championship in the annual Northern Kentucky tennis tournament Sunday, Aug. 14.
– Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Chalfie, with their children, Emily and Jimmy, are vacationing in Charlevoix, Mich. They also will stop in Chicago to visit their brother, Mr. Eli Chalfie, before returning home at the end of August.
— August 18, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Irving Wittow are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, David Schuman Wittow, on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Plum Street Temple.
David is the grandson of Mrs. Morris J. Wittow, of Youngstown, Ohio, and the late Mr. Wittow; and the late Mr. and Mrs. Phil M. Schuman.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddish immediately following the services.
– Mr. and Mrs. Fred R. Brenner, or 9099 Cherryblossom Lane, are very proud and happy to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Lawrence Scot (Larry), on Saturday, Aug. 17, at Northern Hills Synagogue, 715 Fleming Rd. Larry is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Woolen and Mrs. Louis Brenner and the late Mr. Brenner.
Classes Open Soon at Adath Israel School
Opening day of classes in the Primary and Elementary Departments at Adath Israel Religious School will be Sunday, Sept. 8. Parents are urged to register their children immediately.
— August 15, 1974
25 Years ago
JCC to offer NFL Flag Football
This fall, the Jewish Community Center will offer boys and girls, ages 6 to 14, a one-of-a-kind sports experience. For the first time in the Greater Cincinnati area, the National Football League (NFL) along with Nike, other sponsors, and our won JCC, will offer a Flag Football League, Practices will be held weekdays starting the first week of September and games will be on Sundays, beginning mid-September.
The Cincinnati JCC program will also feature punt, pass, and kick competitions where participants compete as individuals. NFL Flag Football is a family program where the children play, and parents are encouraged to coach or cheer on the team.
— August 19, 1999
10 Years ago
Cathy F. Heldman appointed AJC Cincinnati Regional Director
This month, Cathy Heldman becomes the Director of the Cincinnati Regional Office of the American Jewish Committee. She succeeds Barbara Glueck, who retired after twenty-two years as Regional Director. A native Cincinnatian, Heldman has had a long career working in the Jewish community, most recently at the Mayerson JCC.
“Mom & Me” program is back at Rockwern Academy”
Rockwern Academy’s Early Childhood Education Center is excited to announce the return of their very successful “Mom and Me” program.
This program is for toddlers and their caregivers — moms, dads, grandparents, nannies, etc., and is an opportunity for your child to interact with other children, knowing his or her caregiver is close by.
— August 14, 2014
