In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Jews of the East. — The Lloyd of Vienna says, “The German Jews, in the hope of their co-religionists in the East being soon emancipated, are everywhere making subscriptions, and particularly in Austria and Prussia, in order to furnish the young Jews in the East the means of traveling in Europe, to learn her sciences, arts and manufactures, so as to be able to teach them, on returning home, to the persons of their own persuasion.” Dr. Philippson, Grand Rabbi of the Saxon province of Prussia at Magdeburg, and editor of the Allgemeine Zeitung des Judenthums, is head of this movement.
— November 24, 1854
150 Years ago
Foreign Record
– Bavaria. — In the vicinity of Ratisbone, in Bavaria, over four thousand articles were dug up from the Roman period which afford numerous opportunities to antiquarians and archaeologists.
– France. — The Messrs de Rothschild have just made to the (Paris) Administration of the Fine Arts a valuable present, consisting of columns, statutes, and bas-reliefs, coming from the ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo-Didymous, discovered in the neighborhood of Mileto (Anatolia), in the Cours of excavations made for some years last at the cost of these gentlemen. These relics of antiquity will be placed in the Musee des Antiquities at the Louvre.
– Austria. — The Hebrews of Triest have sustained a great loss in the demise of Dr. Saul Formiggmi, who was not only a successful physician, but also an eminent Hebrew writer. He has translated into Hebrew verse Dantes “Enfer,” and wrote several other excellent things.
– Peru. — A commission has been appointed to regulate the establishment of a new post-office in Lima, the capital of Peru. It consists of the late Postmaster-General of the Republic, Mr. John Mathison, one of the first English merchants in Lima, and Mr. Isaac Lawton, a co-religionist. This is the first instance in Peru, if not in all South American, of any honorary distinction of this king being conferred on one of our co-relgiionists. Mr. Lawton is proprietor and principal editor of the South Pacific Times, the only English paper published in Peru, about a year and a half ago by himself. The Times, we are glad to hear, has gained golden opinions, and it is hoped the proprietor will reap a golden harvest.
— November 21, 1873
125 Years ago
– The Jews of Crete are fleeing from the island rather than face the deviltry that is sure to follow Greco-Christian rule, which is being substituted for Turkish. Let us hope that British contort will not be abandoned until good government is assured.
– The twentieth century begins January 1, 1901. The year 1900 is the hundredth year of the nineteen century, and a century according to its name must be a period of hundred years, from 1 to 100 is only 99 years endnote one hundred and less you count the 100 with the 99.
– The congregation at Tarboro, N.C., has joined the Union of American Congregations. This is the fourth congregation that has been brought into the Union within a month through the efforts of Rev. E. N. Calish, of Richmond, Va. If the same earnest zeal, the same “esprit de corps” inspired all the other graduates of the Hebrew Union College, that institution would not be existing in its present hand-to-mouth fashion, with its officers hampered by lack of sufficient funds in doing the best work.
Jottings
The Dearborn Independent of Aurora, Ind., devotes a quarter of a column to paying a well deserved tribute to one of the residents of that city, Mr. Abraham Epstein. Mr. Epstein has been in the clothing business in Aurora for just half a century and during that time has maintained a record on which there is not a blemish. In the fifty years he was never known to do anything not becoming an honorable merchant, a patriotic citizen and a good man. He is now 73 years old but as hearty and active as most men who are 20 years younger. A career like his is a good thing to call attention to in these degenerate days, as an example for young men to emulate.
— November 24, 1898
100 Years ago
Reading Road Temple Sisterhood
Great interest is manifested in the concert to be given under the auspices of the Reading Road Temple Sisterhood, in the Temple on the night of November 28th, for the benefit of the Building Fund. The artists are members of the Symphony Orchestra. A delightful evening is anticipated. Admission by ticket only, which ban be obtained from Mrs. J. Roth, 229 Forest Avenue, Avondale. Phone Avon 4165-Y.
Jottings
– Dr. Abraham S. W. Rosenbach, leading American bibliophile, has sold his recently acquired copy of the famous Mazarin Bible for the record price of $60,000. The buyer is Carl H. Pforzheimer, one of the foremost collectors in America.
Editor’s Note: When adjusted for inflation, Mr. Pforzheimer’s purchase would have amounted to just over a million dollars in 2023.
– The reactionary and anti-Semitic Deutsche Zeitung, organ of the most extreme Right Deutsche Volkische Party, is torn with conflicting emotions over the Crown Prince’s return. It charges that the Crown Prince has committed himself as being pro-Jewish; nevertheless it is glad to see him come back, though hoping that he will confine himself to a rested family life.
– A recent issue of the Palestine Weekly, published in Jerusalem, contains an interesting and informative article on the possibilities of developing in Palestine excellent winter resorts, which claim that with present accommodations and other facilities Tiberius alone could put up one million to two million annually, who could come there to enjoy the beneficial results of the hot springs. As it is, the tourist traffic to Palestine is constantly increasing, but the stay is only for a short time.
— November 22, 1923
75 Years ago
Committee Chapter to Present Dr. Knox in Wise Center Dec. 7
The Cincinnati Chapter of the American Jewish Committee will present Dr. Israel Knox, educator and author, Tuesday, Dec. 7th, at 8:15 p.m., in Wise Center, in an address on “Our Position As American Jews in View of the Present State of Israel.”
Dr. Knox is a member of the faculty of Ohio University at Athens, Ohio.
Cincinnati Social and Personal
– Miss Corinne Schaengold, a junior at Beaver College, arrived home, Wednesday, Nov 24th, to spend Thanksgiving week end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Schaengold, 1031 Redway Avenue.
– Mr. and Mrs. Ben J. Lippert of Bond Hill have just returned from a months’ vacation trip to the West Coast. They spent several weeks with their son, Edwin, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and at Catalina Island.
– Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Freidlander have moved to 4245 Dartmouth Drive and will be happy to see their friends.
— November 25, 1948
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Gene I. Mesh are happy to announce the forthcoming Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Sydney Lillian, on Friday evening, Nov. 30, at 8:15 p.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads.
They cordially invite their friends to worship with the family and attend the Kiddish following the services. A reception in Sydney’s honor will be held on Saturday evening, Dec. 1., from 8 to 11, at the family home, 8380 Crestdale Court. No cards.
Sydney is the granddaughter of Mrs. Lucille Putterman, and the late Mr. Sidney Schwartz, and the late Mr. Charles and the Mrs. Lilian Mesh.
– Our daughter, Traci Irene, will be called to the Torah as a Bas Mitzvah on Saturday morning, November 24th, at 9:30 a.m., at Northern Hills Synagogue, 715 Fleming Road.
Traci is the granddaughter of Mrs. Maurice Lazarus of Charleston, W. Va., and the late Mr. Lazarus; and Mrs. Henrietta Karpf of Miami Beach.
Friends are cordially invited to share our simcha and to attend the Kiddush immediately following the services.
Gloria and Lew Karpf
Bar Mitzvah
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Reis announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Daniel Allyn, on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m., at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush following the service.
Daniel is the grandson of Mrs. Jack Barr and the late Mr. Barr and Mr. Sam Reis and the late Mrs. Gertrude Reis.
— November 22, 1973
25 Years ago
Federation to study feasibility of Jewish high school
The Council for Jewish Life & Learning of the Jewish Federation has created a task force to study the feasibility of a college-preparatory, full-day Jewish high school in Cincinnati. “The task force is seeking to realistically assess the challenges and opportunities for this type of transdenominational high school for our community,” says Dr. Victor Schmelzer, task force chairman.
A significant part of the feasibility study will be focus groups to elicit opinions and concerns from Jewish students and parents. Several hundred students and parents have been invited to participate in nearly one dozen focus groups that will be conducted here from Dec. 6-8.
— November 26, 1998
10 Years ago
Rockwern Academy proud to host several Chanukah events
Rockwern Academy will be hosting a school-wide Hanukkah party this year, from 5:30-7:30pm on Monday, December 2. This fun-filled event will feature dreidel games, a DJ, henna artist, spin art, sand art, bounce house, balloon maker, and the lighting of the Hanukkah candles. Performances by the Rockwern students will complete the evening. And of course, delicious latkes for all!
In addition to the party, Rockwern’s Preschool & Kindergarten students will be performing and doing an art activity with senior residents at Cedar Village Retirement Community on Friday, December 6th from 9:30-10:30am.
Rockwern Academy is also proud to be hosting “Eighth Night for Ethan,” a Hanukkah fundraiser for Ethan Kadish, a former Rockwern student who was struck by lightning this summer and subsequently suffered a severe brain injury. Families are asked to forego any gifts on the 8th night of Hanukkah and instead make donations towards Ethan’s future health care needs.
— November 21, 2013
