In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Cincinnati. — The Tea Party of the Young Ladies’ Sewing Society. — This glorious and ever memorable occurrence came off Sunday last in the hall of the Alemania. Tickets were sold at 50 cents each for the benefit of the poor. We received a gratis ticket and surely would not have sold it for any price. We were bound to be present, to see all the merry faces of our rising generation. A pleasant sight it was, so many intelligent countenances, with the distinct features of a kind and charitable disposition. The daughter of Zion is yet what she was in days of yore, the ideal, inspiring our ancient lords. The evening was passed very merrily with song, music, and declamation, and the young ladies cleared about $150 for the poor.
— February 16, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– A Western paper is dead. In its last gasp it faintly whispered, “Two hundred subscribers, and only thirty-one of them paid up.”
– There are 100,000 Scandinavians in New York and its environs.
– When we walk near powerful machinery, we know that one misstep and those mighty engines will tear us to ribbons with their flying wheels, or grind us to powder in their ponderous jaws. So, when we are thundering across the land in a railroad carriage, and there is nothing but an inch of iron flange to hold us on the line. So, when we are in a ship, and there is nothing but the thickness of a plank between us an eternity. We imagine, then, that we see how close we are to the dice of the precipice. But we do not see it. Whether on the sea or on the land, the partition that divides us from eternity is something less than the oak plank, or the half-inch iron flange. The machinery of life and death is within us. The tissues that hold the beating powers in their place are often not thicker than a sheet of paper, and if that thin partition ruptures, it would be as if a cannon-ball had struck us. Death is inseparably bound up with life in the very structure of our bodies. Struggle as we would to widen the space, no man can, at any time, go further from death than the thickness of a sheet of paper.
– Compliments. — Sugar-plums are palatable occasionally, therefore compliments serve their uses. I do not agree with those cultivators of grumpiness who denounce all compliments, classing them under the head of flattery. It would be a dingy world if we never said civil things to one another. If I can honestly praise a friend’s work, or his conduct, why should I not do so? If he tells me he liked my last literary effort, I feel encouraged and applaud his taste; if he tells me that I am looking well, I conclude that certain symptoms, which have raised disquieting suspicions, were all nervous fancy; if he tells me he regrets seeing so little of me, I truly believe that he thinks so at the time. I do not seek to tickle others with false phrases; why should I subject them to being less sincere? A world of praise, how good it is! A genuine compliment, with a good foundation of truth, is a moral bon-bon, thoroughly wholesome and enjoyable.
— February 13, 1874
125 Years ago
A murder case of more than local interest was on trial last week in the federal court here. The captain and mate of the Crowmwell Line Steamship Knickerbocker were on trial for having taken the life of a stowaway, a Jewish youth of seventeen years named L. Tentoh. Young Tentoh was found aboard the vessel about two months since, after she had left New York for the port. Notwithstanding his sickness and weak condition he was forced to work and mount the forward masts. It was proven that he had been beaten by the mate, and that to escape further suffering he had cast himself into the sea. The Federal jury here indicted both captain and mate, and after two days’ trial, much to the amazement of the presiding judge and the public at large, the jury, after being out four hours, brought in a verdict of not guilty. The boy has a mother living in one of the upper parishes of this state and most probably a civil suit for damages will be brought against the steamship company.
Jottings
– The Pine Bluff, Ark., congregation is going to build a handsome new temple.
– By way of variation in theological warfare, the congregation at Fall River, Mass. (Russian), is divided and the pastors are engaged in a hot controversy as to whether their new Cantor, or Rabbi, who is described by the “Herald” of that city as “the handsomest Hebrew churchman of recent years,” but who is, unfortunately, beardless, shall or shall not be obliged to grow a hirsute appendage. The reporter who had the assignment for the “Herald” wrote up a clever story, humorous enough to be worth a more permanent place than the columns of a daily paper, but the beardites and the anti-beardites of the congregation are desperately in earnest, and the end is not yet.
— February 16, 1899
100 Years ago
– That President Wilson had decided to appoint Associate Justice Louis D. Brandeis as one of the plenipotentiary to the Versailles Peace Conference, and that he did not do so because the late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court White would not grant leave of absence on the plea that the Court was too busy at that time to spare Justice Brandeis, is the interesting statement made by Joseph P. Tumulty, private secretary to President Wilson, to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. This is a double compliment to Justice Brandeis. It shows the great confidence the late Woodrow Wilson had in him and the high value placed on his ability by the late Chief Justice White, who was a Roman Catholic.
– Again the Israelite finds itself in an extremely embarrassing position. It has received so many fine sermons and addresses of which former President Woodrow Wilson was the subject, that it is simply impossible to publish them all. To make selections from among them and publish some and not others would be making an invidious distinction, which would hardly be proper. It is, therefore necessary to publish none of these addresses or sermons. Suffice it to say that memorial services were held for Mr. Wilson by every Jewish community practically throughout the entire United States and by quite a few in Europe. Eloquent sermons were preached, eulogizing the former President as a great statesman and idealist, broadly tolerant and actuated by an intense desire to do justice.
— February 14, 1924
75 Years ago
Hiking Is Activity at Robert Krohn Livingston Camp
“The adventure spirit reigns high at Robert Krohn Livingston Memorial Camp whenever one of the bunks decides to go hiking,” says David Aptekar, director. At breakfast, dinner, or overnight hikes, the slogan “Living’s fun at Livingston” is really emphasized.
“Exploring is the main highlight of all the hikes. On an overnight hike such as Tent Four took last summer and as described in the Livingston newspaper by Bernard Malman, they had quite a time.
“After reaching their destination, Were-Wolf Hollow, the campers chopped their way through weeds and tall grass to make room for the tents and a suitable place to eat. Then they made a table of logs on which to put their food, and after that dug a hole in a dried brook-bed in which to put their milk and canteens to keep the latter cold. After pitching their tents and eating supper, they went exploring.
Before going to sleep, they discussed world problems, such as the Palestine situation. The climax of it all was the shooting star that went right over their heads.”
Television Set Is Installed in Senior Lounge
It’s here at last. The long awaited television set installed last week in the Senior Lounge is the latest step in the increasing number of attractions available at this populated meeting place of adult and Senior Jewish Center members.
You can now enjoy the latest newsreels, hour-long programs, sporting events, etc., that are on television.
Plan your week to include at least one evening at the lounge with its games, coke bar, dancing, and congenial companionship.
— February 17, 1949
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. Kohn cordially invite their friends and relatives to worship with them at the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Karen Ann, and to attend a Kiddish in her honor following the services. Saturday, Feb. 23, at 10:45 a.m. at Temple Sholom. 3100 Longmeadow Ave.
Karen is the granddaughter of Mrs. Benjamin Kohn, Jackson Heights, N.Y., and the late Mr. Benjamin Kohn, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Hachen, formerly of Cincinnati.
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Leon Goldhoff take great pleasure in announcing the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Kenneth Louis Goldhoff, Satuday, Feb. 23, at 10:30 a.m., at Rockdale Temple, Ridge and Cross County Highway.
Friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddish following the service.
Kenneth is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Goldhoff and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Fogel.
– Rabbi and Mrs. Mark S. Shapiro (Hanna Rauenheim) of Glenview, Ill., are happy to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Stephen Alan, on Saturday, Feb. 16th, at 10:45 a.m., at Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim, Glenview.
Stephen is the grandson of Mrs. Emaulen M. Raunheim of Cincinnati and the late Mr. Rauenheim, and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Shapiro of Chicago.
His great grandmother is Mrs. Anna Berenson of Chicago.
— February 14, 1974
25 Years ago
Hadassah names Plotnick as ‘Woman of the Year’
The Cincinnati Chapter of Hadassah is honoring Dorothy Plotnick as its Woman of the Year, for her commitment and generous support of Hadassah, Carol Ann Schwartz, Cincinnati Chapter president stated.
“In addition to her time and energies that she has given to Hadassah, Dorothy has dedicated herself to her family, career, Ohav Shalom Synagogue and Sisterhood, the Cincinnati AMA Auxiliary, the Art Museum and many others,” added Schwartz.
Plotnick will be formally honored at the Hadassah annual Donor Luncheon Wednesday, March 17, at Adath Israel Synagogue, and the luncheon will begin with a champagne reception at 11:30 a.m.
— February 18, 1999
10 Years ago
JNF takes Father Michael Graham, President of Xavier University, on whirlwind trip to Israel
As a child, Father Graham, President of Xavier University, dreamed of becoming an archaeologist, studying and exploring the ancient civilizations of the Middle East. Earlier this month, he had the opportunity to fulfill those dreams and more on a whirlwind 100 hour trip to Israel.
The trip was organized by Nina Paul, JNF National Vice President of Women for Israel and Eddie Paul, JNF National Vice President of the Committee on the Environment, who have been wanting to bring Father Graham to Israel ever since he was honored with the Tree of Life award in 2009.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever eaten so much food in a four day span in my life- and it was all wonderful!,” said Graham. “My first lunch back in the states, I found myself looking around the table, asking myself, “Where’s the hummus?”
— February 13, 2014
