In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
To our Louisville Subscribers. — It is a perfect mystery to us why all the papers destined for this place were found Tuesday in the Cincinnati post office. The papers were properly directed, packed, and mailed in the right time, still they were returned without any excuse or notice.
We have mailed the papers again, and are determined to ascertain in which office the fault lies. We are fully aware of the independence and dignity of a post office clerk, still we would most respectfully request them to inform us of the causes why this bundle was either not sent off or returned from Louisville.
— July 13, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– A pack of wolves in Shelbourne County, Minnesota, chased a couple of lawyers five miles, and the New Orleans Republican thinks it showed a lack of professional courtesy.
– The University of Prague now possesses six Jewish professors.
– The Israelites of Vienna have among their own institutions one for the education of the blind, and one for the deaf-mute. This latter institute counts one hundred and two pupils.
– Another Jewish centenarian has just died at a small town in Austro-Hungary. The deceased lady is said to have been 103 years of age; and up to the hour of her death she was in possession of all her faculties. In fact she was able to read the smallest print without the use of spectacles.
– A mysterious disappearance has just occurred in Jerusalem. On the 33rd day of the Omer, an aged man went to the grave of Simon the Just for the purpose of meditation and prayers as is the custom of the Jews of Jerusalem. Nothing has since been heard of him. Although the most vigorous search has been instituted to ascertain his whereabouts.
— July 10, 1874
125 Years ago
The “United Christian Party of Iowa” met at Des Moines on the Fourth of July, organized a political party, and nominated a full slate ticket on the following platform:
“We believe in direct legislation of the people, and in order to make a government, a government from God through Christ, we should be governed in all things, law-making included, by the standard: ‘What would Jesus do?’”
As we understand it, however, Jesus distinctly instructed his followers not to meddle with political affairs, and, by inference, to keep church and state separate. However, with the cranks it is not so much a matter of what Jesus taught as what they think he should have, and what they would have taught had they been in his place.
Jottings
– To judge from the changes on our subscription list we should say that a greater proportion of our readers are summering away from home than ever before.
– The only foreign embassy that paid the United States the compliment of flying a flag on our national holiday was the Turkish.
– One of the most distinguished Slavonic poets, Jaroslav Bichlioylys, a Christian gentleman, published lately a wonderful epope on Bar Cochba, the Jewish Hero of the second century, who in the time of the emperor Hadrian sought to fee Judea from the Roman yoke. The poem is dedicated to the distinguished Baroness Suttner, and makes quite a sensation in literary circles as a remarkable panegyne of the Hebrew people.
— July 13, 1899
100 Years ago
Jottings
– Even the Holy Land has succumbed to radio, according to a report to the Foundation Fund for Jerusalem from Palestine. The installation of radio apparatus in Palestine was given official sanction by a Government ordinance, issued June 3, permitting all inhabitants to install radio sending or receiving instruments. The British Government is planning to install a powerful broadcasting station on the Mount of Olivers, the report said.
– Over forty thousand Jews of Newark are represented in the membership of the thirteen organizations which have formed the Conference of the Jewish Charities of Newark. These organizations are among the largest and most important of the charitable and philanthropic organizations of Newark’s Jewish community and their formation into a conference was brought about for the purpose of eliminating duplication of work and inefficiency.
– Lucien Wolf, of London, has been doing yeoman service in trying to get the Rumanian Government to prevent the inhuman treatment of the Jews of that country by the anti-Semites. His unselfish and devoted efforts in that direction entitle him to the gratitude of the Jewish people of all lands.
– Professor Leopold Auer, aged violinist, who has been noted both as a virtuoso and as a teacher of famous musicians, was married in New York to Mme. Wanda Stein, a friend of long standing. Professor Auer is 70 years old. Mme. Stein is 40. The couple went to Chicago immediately after the wedding. Professor Auer is to teach in that city during July.
The Age of Cinematograph
We overvalue knowledge against wisdom, speed against sureness, standardization against originality, phrases against truth, rights against duties, power against substance, democracy against individualism, the State against the individual soul. We are living in the age of the cinematograph mind, and no man remembers in the evening what he read in the morning. From the moving-picture mind we may progress to the Hippodrome habit, which was the first sign of the decay of Roman civilization. — James M. Beck, Solicitor General of the United States.
— July 10, 1924
75 Years ago
Liberal Seminary Gathers Records of Jewish Life
The American Jewish Archives, established at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati last year with Prof. Jacob R. Marcus (above) as Director, is making available the results of research on early American Jewish life in its scholarly publication, American Jewish Archives, the second issue of which has just appeared. Among the materials the Archives is collecting are minute books of congregations and benevolent societies like those (illustrated) of the Ass’n For the Relief of Jewish Widows and Orphans of New Orleans (1854) and Congregation Gates of Prayer (1850 – 1884) of the same city.
32,000 Attend Beth Am Fete, Chairman Says
Leaders of the Beth Am Festival expressed themselves as highly gratified over the public response at the fete, held Sunday, July 10, at Reading Road and Seymour Avenue. Financial results will not be known until all bills and promised contributions are in, it was said.
Milton Wacksman, general chairman, said that more than 32,000 persons attended.
Simon Shafer, president of the board of the Hebrew Institute and Beth Am, said that in attendance the festival was up to expectations.
Mr. Wacksman said: “The festival attracted a tremendous turn-out, and served to develop an excellent position for our organization, regardless of what the financial results may have been. I believe that we accomplished a great deal through the festival in putting Beth Am on the map. The community is now conscious of Beth Am and what it is and what it stands for. This in itself has been a great achievement”
— July 14, 1949
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Goldfarb and proud to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jeffrey Robert, on Saturday, July 27, at 10:45 a.m., at Plum Street Temple.
Friends and relatives are invited to worship with the family and join in Kiddish after the services.
Jeffrey is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Max Goldfarb and Mrs. Rose Roth.
– Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stout are proud to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Michael Allan, at Plum Street Temple, Eighty and Plum Streets, on Friday, July 12, at 8:15 p.m.
It will give us great pleasure to have our family and friends worship with us and attend the Oneg Shabbat following the service.
Michel is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Stout.
– Mrs. and Mrs. Kenneth Herman, of 1709 Kassabian, Las Vegas, and formerly of Cincinnati, are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jay, on July 20 at Temple Beth Shalom in Las Vegas.
Jay is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Herman of Cincinnati and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ben Jaeger of Cincinnati.
— July 11, 1974
25 Years ago
Kirshner attends Katz Leadership Institute
The American Jewish Committee selected Deborah Kirshner to attend the recent Hilda Katz Blaustein Leadership Institute in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Kirshner, who is vice president of the Cincinnati Chapter, joined AJC leaders from throughout the nation, including President Bruce Ramer, in the weekend program.
HUC Skirball Museum holds luncheon, recognizes docents
Presenting pins at this years luncheon were Marilyn Reichert, museum director, and Judy Lucas, museum curator. Several docents received recognition for their longstanding and dedicated service to the museum. They were: Pat Passer, 26 Years; Vera Sanker, 26 years; Sue Teller, 23 years; Pegge Gargield, 23 years, Jean Chimsky, 21 years.
— July 15, 1999
10 Years ago
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati honors founders and celebrates unique history
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC) will honor its three founders and celebrate the organization’s unique history at a reception on Sunday, October 12, 2014. The event will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Adath Israel Congregation located at 3201 E. Galbraith Rd. in Cincinnati, Ohio. The organization’s three founders, Dr. Edward Herzig, Michael Oestreicher and Edward Marks, will be honored.
The celebration will feature videos and a program book highlighting the founders’ role in their collaboration with many other community leaders to create JCGC. The keynote speaker will be Rabbi Gary Zola, a well-known historian and popular public speaker, who holds the positions of Executive Director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives and Professor of the American Jewish Experience at Hebrew Union College.
The 15th annual Cedar Village Golf Classic
Plans are being made for the Cedar Village Golf Classic which will take place Monday, August 18 at the Heritage Club in Mason. According to Diane Slovin, Special Events and Volunteer Manager, “The Cedar Village Golf Classic, now in its 15th year, is always a wonderful opportunity for our friends from the community to enjoy a great day of golf and fun while supporting Cedar Village.” The outing co-chairs are veteran committee members, Jeff Gossard and Bill Clark.
— July 10, 2014
