In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Letter-Box of the Israelite
– We beg our correspondents to remember the words of Polonius, who says that “Brevity is the soul of wit, and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes.” So we say to them, let your communications be concise, and to the point, our space is valuable and we wish to oblige all our friends.
– Our foreign friends are respectfully informed that, anxious as we are to insert all their communications, we are constantly compelled to reject many from the impossibility of getting the true meaning of them. Such of our friends, as are not significantly conversant with the English language, should get some friend on the spot to review their correspondence.
— May 18, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
– A local in Louisville, Ky., called at the military headquarters to get news, and was cheered by the answer, “I’d be glad to give you anything if I could; but when there is anything of importance we are not allowed to give it, and when we are allowed to give anything it is of no importance.” The same is frequently the case in other places.
– The publication of the Hebrew Leader will be resumed this week under the editorial management of J.P. Solomon, Esq., a gentleman well fitted for the position. The paper will be published under the auspices of the “Hebrew Leader Association,” of which Dr. S.N. Leo is secretary.
– “Our Banner” is the name of a new amateur paper published in this city by Alfred M. Cohen and Morris H. Tobias. It is a neat little paper, and will, no doubt, afford much pleasure to its youthful subscribers.
– Jerusalem. — Letters from Jerusalem are of a plaintive nature. The copious rains, with snow and hail, have soiled the prospect of a crop; in consequence thereof all provisions rose in price to an alarming degree. There is now a famine the that hapless land, and its inhabitants cry for bread. Here Mr. Hyman Moses has undertaken the task to beg for them. Elsewhere we hope other charitable persons will do it and correspond with Hyman Moses. We are willing to acknowledge receipt for all funds forwarded to us.
— May 15, 1874
125 Years ago
A dispatch from Cairo, Egypt, via London, announces the discovery of the mummy of the Pharaoh Thotmes I., of the eighteenth dynasty, from about the year 1635 B.C., as the director of the Egyptian museum maintains. Three more mummies were found, all in gilded coffins. According to Biblical chronology this Thotmes I., (or Thotmosesis) was the new king “who did not know Joseph.” Our exposition on this subject was published in 1853 in our book “History of the Israelitish Nation.” But then Egyptology was, so to say, yet in its infancy. Still, if there Is any truth in our conception of the matter, and the three other mummies found in the golden coffin are the of the successors of Thotmes I we have before us the remains of the Pharaohs of the time of the Egyptian bondage, which according to rabbinical calculation lasted but 110 years, from the demise of Joseph to the Exodus. (See Pesikta R.K.)
Editor’s Note: Tracking which pharaoh had actually been uncovered according to this news clipping was rather difficult. French Egyptologist Victor Loret opened a number of tombs in 1898 and 1899 and reports of the remains inside the tombs and the accompanying grave goods are often unreliable. The remains of both Thutmose I and III were found together, highly damaged and, according to reports, well before 1899, though their identities may have been unknown at the time. It is possible that the dispatch discussed here relays the uncovering of tomb KV 36, one of the first nearly intact tombs excavated in the Valley of the Kings. Tomb KV 36 is thought to hold the remains of a nobleman, Maiherpri, who was not a king but a functionary of the king’s court. Because of the irresponsible nature of human remains collection in Egyptian tombs during this time, it is exceptionally hard to figure out to whom this dispatch refers. However, despite current work being done to date the human remains found in the Valley of the Kings, no credible source has been able to link a particular Pharaoh to the Joseph cycle or Exodus narrative.
Jottings
When leaving for the summer, please tell us at once of the place to which you desire the paper to be addressed. We should be glad to forward your copy of the Israelite to any part of the world. Always give new and old addresses.
— May 18, 1899
100 Years ago
The American Israelite is a journal for Jewish adults, for thinking men and women. It gives all the news concerning Jews, or of especial interest to Jews, and in addition such articles as treat on topics of present interest. Its scope is national, more than merely local, and it is beyond question the most widely circulated, the oldest and most influential Jewish journal published in the United States.
Jottings
– The Palestine Development Council at a recent meeting adopted a resolution to participate in the carrying out of the Rutenberg project for the creation of a hydro-electric power plant on the Jordan, work on which will be begun at once and proceed as rapidly as possible.
– “Nathan the Wise,” the famous drama of Ephraim Lessing, has been made into a motion picture under the name “The Sacrifice.” Lessing’s immortal play was filmed in Jerusalem and has in the main role the German artist Werner Krauss, the male star of the “Miracle.” The production, which has many appealing elements of Jewish, Turkish and Palestinian life, is one of the most costly and magnificent films ever made.
Editor’s Note: The film was released in 1922 and was titled “Nathan the Wise.” It is unclear where the name “The Sacrifice” came from. The film encourages religious tolerance. According to Salomon Siegbert Prawler, a film historian, far right groups protested the film when it was released in Munich because of its positive depiction of Jews.
– Nothing has produced such dismay among intelligent Jews as manifestations of an anti-Semitic spirit at leading American universities of the Atlantic region. The snobbery of Greek letter societies might be overlooked. But attempts to restrict the number of Jewish students constitute a different matter. That savored too much of East European bigotry. It is therefore gratifying to learn that the faculties, at least of two of our leading Eastern universities harbor no such prejudice. Both Harvard and Columbia have lately appointed, as professors, Jews not ashamed of their faith.
-Emanu-El, San Fransisco.
— May 15, 1924
75 Years ago
Flag of Israel Raised as State Enters UN
Lake Success, (JTA) — The blue-white flag of Israel, 59th state to be admitted to membership in the United Nations, was hoisted for the first time in the semicircle of flags on the lawn of U.N. headquarters here.
A cheering throng of 1,000 sang Hatikvah as the flag was hoisted into place between the emblems of Iraq and Lebanon by Fred Notz, a U.N. guard who saw service in Palestine as a member of the U.N. force there.
Many delegates emerged from committee sessions to witness the ceremony, among them Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt who was, however, unable to press through the crowd to greet Israel Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett. “It is always a historic moment when a new flag is hoisted,” Mrs. Roosevelt said.
Cincinnati Social and Personal
– Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Rosenberg of Burton Woods Lane have been invited to Bowling Greet State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, for Honor Day. Their son, Alan, will have several honors conferred upon him. He has been elected editor of the yearbook.
– Virginia Garrett has chosen the theme “Funnybone Alley,” for her annual dance recital Sunday afternoon, May 22, at St. Bernard School Auditorium.
– Miss Cecile Cohen’s pupils are giving a piano recital at the Hyde Park Pubic Library, 2747 Erie Avenue, Wednesday, May 25, at 7 p.m.
— May 19, 1949
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Stregevsky are happy to announce the forthcoming Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Diane Iris, on Sunday, May 26th at 2 p.m. at Golf Manor Synagogue, 6442 Stover Avenue, Golf Manor.
Diane is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Aaron (Bessie) Stregevsky and the late Mr. William and Mrs (Dora) Lehrer.
A reception will follow and we look forward to friends and relatives joining with us. No cards.
Bar Mitzvah
Mrs. Stanley Fisher is happy to announce the Bar Mitzvah of her son, Daniel Lee, on Saturday, May 25, at 9:00 a.m., at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads.
It would give her great pleasure to have her family and friends worship with her and join her for the Kiddish following the services. Danny is the son of the late Stanley Fisher. His grandparents are Mrs. Miriam Levine and Mrs. Helen Fisher and the late Louis Levine and William Fisher.
— May 16, 1974
25 Years ago
Grossman wins geography bee
Sam Grossman, an eight grade student at Sycamore Junior High School, was the second place winner of the Ohio Geography Bee April 9 in Columbus. One hundred students participated in the competition. The first place winner will presented Ohio at the National Geography Bee in Washington, D.C. After Grossman won his school geography bee, he took a written test from the state Ohio. His score on that test qualified him to become one of the 100 participants in the state-wide bee. This was the third year Grossman competed at the Ohio Geography Bee.
Perlman to be installed as Hadassah president
Amy L. Perlman will be installed as the next President of the Cincinnati Chapter of Hadassah. All chapter officers and board members of the Cincinnati Chapter and the Presidents and board members of the Szold and Ya’al Groups will be installed on Tuesday, May 25, 11:30 a.m., at Losantiville Country Club.
— May 20, 1999
10 Years ago
Adath Israel Congregation teens experience Jewish New York
On a cold weekend in February 15 teens and 4 adults from Adath Israel Congregation participated in an amazing Jewish New York Experience. Participant Ethan Kahn shared, “New York is an amazing city, but this trip took the experience to a new level. Each place we visited provided a unique, fascinating, history-packed look at our culture and history as American Jews.”
Rabbi Irvin Wise said, “I have been wanting to take a group of our high school students to New York for some time. This was not possible until the Jewish Foundation provided the educational grant to our synagogue. And it was truly an educational experience. The students learned about American, New York and Jewish history, immigration and immigrant history, Conservative Judaism and more. Then, there was the amazing bonding of the group and their proving how fifteen teenagers can be cooperative, respectful, supportive, friendly, thoughtful and at the same time have a lot of fun.”
— May 15, 2014
