In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Attention is called to the advertisement of Dr. Dessar who deserves the confidence of our friends, being himself a Hebrew Teacher in Talmud Yelodim Institute, hence of the greatest advantage of his boarders.
Editor’s Note: The Talmud Yelodim Institute was founded in 1849. It was the first religious school attached to Wise Temple, which was called K.K. B’nai Yeshurun at the time. Elsewhere in this issue, Dr. Dessar has placed an ad for his boarding house to which he invites “scholars frequenting the well arranged and classical Talmud Yelodim School.” The ad states that Dessar will not only assist pupils in their lessons but also guide them toward a “moral and religious education and a proper conduct.” He also taught German, French, and Hebrew. His boarding house was located on 5th Street between Elm and Plum.
— January 5, 1855
150 Years ago
A New Society
A new society has been established by a number of our charitably inclined young ladies. Its purpose is to provide certain garments for the poor. The young ladies meet once a week, and devote half a day to sewing. The result of their labors is sent to the office of the United Charities, thus preventing its falling into improper hands. Numerous donations of material have already been made to the society and, as the young ladies are very industrious, their efforts are productive of no little good. The officers of the society are: Miss Englehard, President; Miss Solomon, Vice-president; Miss Sulzbacher, Treasurer; and Miss Fatman, Secretary.
Items
Eighty-five years ago Dr. Benjamin Franklin made a bequest of $5,000 to the city of Philadelphia, and a like sum to Boston, with the condition that the separate amounts should be loaned to married mechanics to assist them in starting business, and the interest was to be compounded for one hundred years, at the expiration of which time the accumulated funds were to be expended by the respective cities for public improvements. The Philadelphia fund amounts to about forty-six thousand dollars, while Boston has a fund accumulated to the amount of one hundred and eighty two thousand dollars. A showing like this is proof that grand results may be obtained from small beginnings.
— January 1, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– That the Mormon missionaries could secure eighteen hundred converts from other Christian sects in one section of our country in one year proves only how easy it is to gain proselytes to a religion that offers substantial material inducements. When the Mormons offer (and secure, for that matter) conditions of existence in Utah, for the wretched dweller in the southern mountain districts, that seems little short of paradise, it is small wonder that some embrace the opportunity and adopt the new faith, which, after all — if, as stated, it no longer advocates or permits polygamy — differs in few essentials from the one previously professed. Conversions from one faith to another are so generally a matter of bargain and sale that the exceptions to the rule are hardly worth noting.
– The Jewish weekly occupies a place that is peculiarly its own. It can hardly be considered a religious paper, though a portion of it is given up to religious matters. A first-class Jewish paper, like the American Israelite or the Chicago Israelite usually contains, in addition to all the religious matter, a story, all the current news concerning Jews or of special interest to them, correspondence from all over the country, containing the communal, social and personal news — even gossip — from hundreds of cities, towns and villages. Also a Woman’s Column and occasionally something for the children. There are no papers more faithfully read or that exercise as great an influence in the home. The Israelite was started forty-six years ago and still has some of its first subscribers on its list. The children and grandchildren of those that are gone are the staunchest supporters of these papers and form a constituency of which any editor of publisher might well feel proud. They are intelligent, well-to-do and live well. Papers that reach such a class form the ideal advertising medium.
— January 4, 1900
100 Years ago
Separation of Hebrew Union College From U.A.H.C.
A proposal to separate the Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati as a separate legal entity, operating under its own charter, rather than as a subsidiary of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations — will engage the attention of the 29th Council of the latter when it convenes in St. Louis on January 18 for a week’s session.
The Union of American Hebrew Congregations includes in its membership all of the Reform Jewish Congregations in this country. Two hundred and seventh-three congregations with a membership of 43,947 form its constituency. It was organized a half century ago under the leadership of the late Dr. Isaac M. Wise “to preserve the Jewish religion of America.” It founded and maintained the Hebrew Union College which has trained nearly three hundred young men as Rabbis for Reform Jewish synagogues, and conducts a number of other activities to strengthen the religious ties of American Jews, including a Teacher’s College in New York City, a Department of Synagogue and School Extension, and the issuance of several publications, text-books and tracts, a National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods and a National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods.
Jottings
– Adolph Hitler, leader of the Bavarian “Putch,” who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, was among a number of political prisoners who were granted their freedom in Munich today by an amnesty. His associate, Col. Kriebel, was also released.
– The number of Jews in Brazil is estimated to be not more than 27,000 according to statistics published in one of the local papers. The growth of the Jewish colony in Brazil is slow, because the majority of Jewish immigrants to South American settle in Argentina.
– One hundred and fifty Jewish farmers in and near Mexico City have formed the Jewish Agricultural Society of Mexico, for the purpose of devoting themselves entirely to fostering Jewish agricultural colonization in that country. A committee was formed to distribute information on agricultural conditions in Mexico to prospective immigrants and to begin a campaign to secure financial aid.
— January 1, 1925
75 Years ago
126th Anniversary Dinner Planned by Rockdale Temple
Entertainment consisting of skits and music will be a feature of the 126th anniversary dinner of Rockdale Avenue Temple on Sunday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m., at the Hotel Alms.
Charles N. Ascheim is president of the congregation and Eli Cohan is general chairman for the annual dinner-meeting.
Dr. Philip D. Bookstaber of Harrisburg, Pa., will speak on “Candle-Light Power.”
Reservations may be made through CA 2440.
Parents Will Join Children at Beth Am Sabbath Services
Parents will join their children in the Sabbath services to be conducted Saturday, Jan. 7, at 9:45 a.m., by the Junior Congregation at the Hebrew Institute and Beth Am, at the Institute building, Reading Road and Elizabeth Place, Rabbi Paul Rosenfeld announced.
The cantors, members of the Union congregation, will be Bertan Cohen, Charles Comins and Samuel Shafer. Torah honors will be given to Donald Kuhr, Ronald Goodman, and Dick Baden. The Mafter will be chanted by Allan Fishberg. Jeanne Rosen will deliver the service. Welcome will be by Phyllis Ritter.
Other Junior Congregation participants will include Larry Rosen, Ramyond Shmalo, Steven Bell, Janet Litwin, Jane Schulzinger, Harold Rosen and Dan Green.
Mothers who will take part include Mesdames Rose Weinstein, Estelle Bronsther, Helen Pollins, Sarah Dombar, Ethel Fish and Ann Baden. Kiddish will follow.
— January 5, 1950
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Leo Mirkis are pleased to announce the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Helene Toby, on Friday, Jan. 10th at 8:15 p.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue.
Friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and attend the Kiddish following the service.
Helene is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Max Mirkis of Jacksonville, Fla, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Sam Pike of Savannah, Ga.
– You are cordially invited to share our joy when our daughter, Barbara, will celebrate her Bas Mitzvah at Congregation Ohav Shalom, 1834 Section Road, on Friday, Jan. 19th, 1975, at 8:30 in the evening.
Barbara is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Hazen, Mrs. Nellie Lepsky at the late Dr. Harry O. Lepsky.
We would be honored to have you worship with us on this happy occasion and join the family for Kiddish following the services. No Cards.
Jack and Beryl Hazen.
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Sig Rabkin are happy to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jeffrey Adam, at 9 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 11, 1975, at Adath Israel Synagogue.
Relatives and friends re cordially invited to attend the Kiddish following the ceremony and an open house at 8 p.m. at 3121 S. Farmcrest Drive, Amberley Village.
— January 2, 1975
25 Years ago
Stan Chesley speaks at RITSS High School
On Thursday, December 30, the student body and staff at RITSS (Cincinnati’s Jewish girls high school) were privileged to have the distinguished attorney Stan Chesley speak to them about “Careers in the Law.” Mr. Chesley, in his first visit to RITSS in its new building, spoke about the great future in the law and especially the many types of careers that can stem from the law. He stressed that women’s participation in law careers is growing and encouraged anyone interested to learn more about these professions.
— January 6, 2000
10 Years ago
Rockdale Temple Chanukah Synaplex celebration
K. K. Bene Israel/ Rockdale Temple hosted a Chanukah celebration on the 4th night of Chanukah, December 20th. Congregants, prospective member families and young professionals shared an entertaining evening in the Amberley Room of the Mayerson JCC.
The celebration began with a havdallah service followed by a communal menorah lighting. Attendees brought their own Chanukiyot and lit them at the same time the congregational menorah was lit by Rabbi Sigma Faye Coran. Rabbi Meredith Kahan led the group in blessings and Chanukah songs.
After dinner, there were several opportunities for age-related activities. A local music company was the evening’s disc jockey, providing dance music, games and entertainment for the children and the young at heart. Teens enjoyed activities together in the youth lounge. Adults were treated to a night of comedy featuring a Cincinnati improv troupe, performing in the Temple’s sanctuary.
Each person or family attending the “Synaplex” celebration was asked to bring supplies and toiletries for clients who participate in the Interfaith Hospitality Network program.
— January 1, 2015
