In the Beginning: 1855
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
An Organ in the Synagogue
We announced a few weeks ago, that Lodge Street Synagogue in this city was closed on account of undergoing a thorough repair. The cause of this repairing is because a place must be provided for the choir and organ. As a few years ago our old-fashioned gentry raised the mad dog cry of heresy, when a choir was introduced in some synagogue, or if this or that piece of the liturgy was abolished, a custom changed, an old practice discontinued or an abuse extinguished; so they cry now against the organ, it is an innovation, against the Talmud, un-Jewish, etc., so here the outsiders cry at present against the use of an organ in the synagogue.
We could maintain profound silence the subject; for as they now imitate the choirs, abolish burdensome practices, admit, that many a piece of our liturgy could be omitted advantageously; so they will in a few brief years imitate also the organ, even if we say nothing on the subject.
— May 18, 1855
150 Years ago
Items
A lazy fellow falling a distance of fifty feet and escaping with only a few scratches, a bystander remarked that he was “too slow to fall fast enough to hurt himself.”
Grave Yard Monuments
Among the many admirable laws which Moses and the Prophets have handed down to the children of Israel, and which have become the common inheritance of mankind, none are so eminently proper as this regarding burials. They should be in the plainest manner, without ostentation, and these practices were for ages strictly observed. Only of late do we notice a departure from the good old customs of simplicity by many of the relatives and friends of the departed bringing grand floral offerings, and even erecting grand monuments over their graves. The money thus expanded could be better applied by giving it to the poor. Instead of buying flowers by the hundreds of dollars worth, give it to the relief society, and instead of erecting a monument costing several hundred or several thousands of dollars, give it to the Hebrew Union College.
— May 19, 1876
125 Years ago
Notes & Comments
The Jewish Comment is publishing a series of articles by Prof. Richard Gottheil entitled “A Jewish Visit to Spain.” Is it possible that the Spaniards regarded his presence in their land as a Jewish visitation? However, I suspect it is all right, as a Jewish visit should be strictly kosher, and especially so in the case of so devoted a Zionist as is the learned Professor.
– I speak from personal experience when I say that the Jews of the South are not surpassed anywhere in this country for their staunchness in the support of Judaism. Nowhere else is the attendance at divine worship more regular, or characterized by more earnestness and sincerity. The rabbi of a Southern congregation is considered, as a rule, by its members as their representative, and they gauge their treatment of him accordingly. They do not expect the non-Jewish portion of the community to respect their minister if they themselves fail to do so.
— May 23, 1901
100 Years ago
Jottings
– The Hakoah Soccer team of Vienna defeated the Sparta club, of the Chicago major league, at the White Sox Park in Chicago, by a score of 6 to 1. A crowed of 15,000 watched the game. The Hakoah team made a brilliant attack and a sustained defense that had the Sparta players completely baffled.
– Morris Symonds, leader of Jews in Australia, who is visiting America for the first time, declares that there has been a pronounced and steady development of Jewish education in Australia, and that the Jews of Sydney, especially, maintain high grade philanthropic institutions in addition to the three houses of worship.
— May 20, 1926
75 Years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Richards, of 3411 Larona Avenue, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Stuart, Saturday, May 26, at Louis Feinberg Synagogue.
A reception will be held in his honor Sunday, May 27, at Feinberg Synagogue Center, from 3 to 6 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited. No cards.
– Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Pichel, of 686 Gholson Avenue, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Michael, Saturday, May 19, at the Feinberg Synagogue.
A reception will be held in his honor Sunday, May 20, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Forest Avenue Synagogue Annex, 3550 Washington Avenue. Relatives and friends are cordially invited. No cards.
– Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Schaumberg, 0f 7704 Greenland Place, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Tom Michael, Saturday, May 26, at Rockdale Avenue Temple.
— May 17, 1951
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Byrl Wilner proudly announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Lawrence Steven Wilner, on Sunday, May 30th, at 9 a.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue. Friends and relatives are invited to join them for services and the Kiddush following the occasion.
– Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Schlissel are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Andrew, on Saturday, May 22, at 10:45 a.m. at Rockdale Temple, 8501 Ridge Road.
All our friends and relatives are cordially invited to worship with us on this happy occasion and attend the Kiddush following services.
Bas Mitzvah
– Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Marmer are happy to announce the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Julie on Friday evening, May 28th at 8: 15 at Isaac M. Wise Temple. Friends are cordially invited to worship with them.
Julie is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Weber of Baltimore, and Mrs. Walter Marmer and the later Walter Marmer of Cambridge, MD.
– Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Spalter, 9801 S.W. 199th Street Miami, Florida, are honored to announce the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Robyn Jeana, on Saturday, May 22nd, at Temple Zion.
Robyn is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Cohen of Cincinnati, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Abe Spalter. Pauline Swilinger is the material great grandmother.
David J. Young Again Is Nominee for Center President
David J. Young will be nominated for a second term as president of the Jewish Community Center at the annual membership meeting Tuesday, June 1, at 8 p.m.
Paul Silverglade is Nominating Committee Chairman.
— May 20, 1976
10 Years ago
Access event brings the Russian resettlement story to a whole new generation
“Give me your tired and your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” When renowned Jewish poet, Emma Lazarus, wrote these immortal words, inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, she knew that even though they came under very different circumstances, and had many different beliefs, the main reason millions of immigrants fled to our shores was to seek a better life…a life of hope and opportunity, but mostly, a life free from the kind of persecution and pogroms, discrimination and economic hardship that forced millions of Russian Jews in both the late 19th and 20th centuries to leave everything behind and come to America to start their lives all over again.
Wise Temple welcomes new Executive Director
After a national search, Wise Temple welcomes Sally Harding Schott as the Temple’s new Executive Director. Sally began her tenure as Executive Director on Monday, May 2. She brings extensive professional leadership and management experience in areas of finance and operations, having spent the last seven years in the non-profit world, as Director of Finance & Operations at Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati.
— May 19, 2016
5 Years ago
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s 125th annual meeting: an assessment of 2020
On Wednesday, April 12, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati held their annual meeting virtually. The Federation in Cincinnati was founded in 1896 under the name “United Jewish Charities” and is thus in its 125th year. The annual meeting celebrated their successes at continuing normal functioning and opening new programs during the past pandemic year, bade farewell to outgoing members and CEO Shep Englander, welcomed new members of the board and acting CEO Danielle Minson, and looked ahead to new initiatives and programs in the coming year.
— May 20, 2021
