In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Call for a General Meeting of the Israelites of Cincinnati
The undersigned committee, impressed with the conviction that the Israelites of this country should establish a college on the pattern of German universities, connected with a theological seminary, and a seminary for teachers, in order to promulgate science and the interest of Judaism among our fellow-citizens; furthermore believing that the Israelites of Cincinnati should take the lead an initial steps in the accomplishment of this great undertaking. We hereby call on all Israelites of this city to attend a general meeting for this purpose on Sunday, October 8 at 7 o’clock P.M., in the Hall of the Allemania, to resolve upon a plan of action for this grand purpose.
— October 6, 1854
150 Years ago
Local and Domestic
– We call attention to the communication from A.A. on a new B’nai B’rith hall. It is well worth the consideration of capitalists.
– Columbus, Ind. — Levy, the individual who was ejected from the synagogue on the second day of New Year is, it appears, a disreputable, quarrelsome fellow, who received an undeserved compliment when he was kicked by a decent man.
– Special Notices to our Contributors and Correspondents. — We would be very thankful if your communications were sent in earlier in the week, as it helps us considerably in getting our paper to press without being so much hurried.
Items
– Noah was an ark-itect of the first water.
– “Lord, what a cow!” was the approving remark of the teetotal judge of Vermont after swallowing a potent punch, which had been offered to him as a glass of milk.
— October 9, 1874
125 Years ago
Jottings
– Under the raging storm of anti-Semitism in Austria, Jews march up to the highest positions in art, science, civil and military ranks. The last account from Vienna is that the emperor appointed Sir Gustav Ritter von Mauthner life member (Senator) of the Upper House of the Austrian Reichsrath, and Mauthner is undoubtedly an outspoken Jew.
– The Hochschule of Jewish theology in Berlin published its program for the winter semester of 1899-1900. It contains about the same subjects as the program of the Hebrew Union College, all to be taught by two teachers, Dr. Beneth and Dr. Schreiner, except Dr. Maybaum, who teaches six hours weekly. It is a mystery to us how this can be done, unless the students know all about it before entering.
– There is a movement on foot to start a second Jewish Reformed congregation at Los Angeles, Cal.
– At Indiana Mineral Springs, Ind., Miss Birdie Hirsch, one of the prettiest girls in the state, was elected queen of the carnival. The citizens of the Springs selected Miss Hirsch as an expression of their disapproval of the Dreyfus verdict.
– Professor David W. Marks, who was born in 1809, preached a sermon on Rosh Hashanah in London, where he has lived since 1841, that shows that at ninety his mental vigor is unabated and his eloquence as persuasive and and inspiring as half a century ago. He is the instigator of what little reform there is in Judaism in England, and was put in “Cherem” by the orthodox authorities in 1841. In spite of it, however, he has lived to an extremely old age, with more of the good things of life at his command than most men.
— October 12, 1899
100 Years ago
Jottings
– Some Jews have again been brought into the limelight by the arrest of some pseudo-rabbis who have been bootlegging sacramental wine, impersonating rabbis with forged official documents and charged with attempting to corrupt prohibition agents. It appears that the documents were not all forged, that they had genuine permits, which they had bought from two obscure rabbis, who in turn pleaded that they were the victims of designing men who had taken advantage of their innocence. Of course, no prohibition agents were corrupted. Such a thing has never occurred, and in fact, it is impossible that it ever will
– The Polish Minister of Religion denied request of certain Jews to organize a separate Jewish community in Warsaw under the name of Religious Community of Poles of the Mosaic Faith.
– According to official statistics, fifty-three Jewish newspapers and periodicals are published in Poland: eleven dailies, twenty-six weeklies, three bi-weeklies, thirteen monthlies, and one at irregular intervals.
– The pilot of the Zeppelin, the largest airship built in Germany for the United States Government, is Karl Arnstein, a Jewish engineer of Prague, the capital of Czecho-Slovakia, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learns.
– The Methodist minister in the small Illinois town who murdered his wife and helped to murder the husband of a woman with whom he has been intimate, will not be taken by any fair minded person as bringing discredit on his denomination, although the foolish District Attorney of the county who says he will not ask for capital punishment, so as to avoid humiliating the Church, seems to think so. Incidentally, it may be remarked that the preachers, writers and others who a short time ago were declaring that the two Chicago boys who committed the Franks murder would not have been so vicious if they had had the benefit of “gospel training,” now have a chance to realize that such training does not always act as a preventative of crime. —Jewish Exponent.
– In telling the Klan that “only Nordic and Anglo-Saxon peoples have reached a high level of intelligence,” Imperial Wizard Evans himself fell somewhat short of real intelligence. The most fanatical followers of Gobineau, Chamberlain and Nietzsche have not claimed for the Nordics any monopoly of intellect. — Springfield Republican.
— October 9, 1924
75 Years ago
21 Admitted to Studies at HUC-JIR
The Hebrew Union College – Institute of Religion has twenty-one new students — nine in Cincinnati and 12 in New York.
In Cincinnati, Rabbi Morris Lieberman of the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Baltimore, Md., will speak at exercises in the Chapel, Saturday, October 15, at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Nelson Glueck, president of the College-Institute and Lester A. Jaffe, chairman of the College Board of Governors, will bring greetings.
Registrations open for Jewish Center Adult Classes
The adult activity classes, co-sponsored by the Women’s Club and the Jewish Center, are prepared to begin sessions.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, Mrs. Rose Smith will begin her classes in Fancy Cookery. The classes will be held from 8 to 9:30 p.m. for 10 Thursdays, and registration fee for the course is 50 cents per Center member at $5 per Women’s Club member.
The Interior Decorating class, conducted by Mrs. Ben Bertman, begins Oct. 18, and will be held Tuesdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m..
The Camera Club, open to Center members only, meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. and has already begun sessions. Morris Amarant, instructor, reports that there still are openings in this class.
The Rhumba Dance Class, to be conducted by a professional instructor from the Rosedale Academy, is to start Wednesday, Oct. 26, and will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. for a period of 10 weeks.
There will be both an afternoon and an evening class for those who want to take bridge. Mrs. Lucious Riggs, instructor, will begin afternoon classes at 1:15 Thursday, Oct. 20. Evening classes are to start on Monday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. Mrs. Riggs will give instructions to beginners and advanced students. She will teach the Goren point system.
— October 13, 1949
50 years ago
Guess Who’s Cooking Dinner?
Brandeis University Women’s Committee is offering an addition to its Study Group program. “Pots for Tots,” sessions in holiday cooking for 4 and 5 year olds will begin Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 1 p.m. The class, led by Mary Lee Sirkin, is open to children of Brandeis members. Dates are Oct. 16, Nov. 13, and Dec. 11 and will continue through March 1975. Classes will be at the home of Suellen Chesley, 2930 Belkay Lane.
Several places are available in the “New You” class which began Wednesday, Oct. 9, and covers four sessions.
Included are classes in fashion led by Jessica Lazarus, physical fitness under Elaine Powers Studio, and a make-up a demonstration by Helen Robinson of Fave Biz.
— October 10, 1974
25 Years ago
JCC renovated game room ready for use
The Youth Department of the JCC has been hard at work designing a new game room to excite kindergarteners to teens this fall. New pinball and arcade games have been added to the old favorites. New board games and card games were purchased. The JCC game room how has Nintendo and Sega video game stations, a new arts and crafts area, and a separate movie viewing area. The renovation also included new felt coverings for the JCC bumper pool and billiards tables, new tile flooring, and a fresh coat of paint.
Improvements are also scheduled for programs in the new JCC game room. Experienced JCC staff members will supervise JCC Fun Club members in the game room on Sunday afternoons,1 to 5 p.m.
Tribute Dinner approaches
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion will host the 17th Annual Cincinnati Associates Tribute Dinner honoring Richard A. Weiland, on Sunday, Nov. 7 in the Regency Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.
Weiland will be recognize for his significant contribution to the community and for 17 years of service as a leader for the Cincinnati Associates and the College-Institute.
— October 14, 1999
10 Years ago
Traditions upheld at Congregation Ohav Shalom
Ohav Shalom brought back two very special traditions which began a year ago, both designed to enhance Rosh Hashanah in immeasurable ways. One was the return of gifted Cantor Abraham Lubin, whose niggunim and easy to follow explanations of the service delighted the congregation.
Cantor Lubin encouraged the congregation’s participation throughout the service and sang a duet with 13-year-old Sasha Cohen that left not a dry eye in the congregation. The combination of Cantor Lubin’s beautifully trained voice and the purity of Sasha’s soprano were an auditory treat. Another congregant, Gale Goldner, also sang an enchanting rendition of Areshet Tzifatanu with Cantor Lubin and congregants couldn’t help but sing along to the uplifting melody.
— October 9, 2014
