In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
The Loss of the Arctic. — We regret to learn that Mr. Hirsch, of this city, together with his wife were on the ill-fated steamer Arctic. Mr. H. was accompanied by another gentleman who designed making this city his home. Little doubt is now entertained that they all found a watery grave. Mr. H. was a member of the firm of Hirsch & Straus, of Walnut street; his wife, to whom he was married during his recent visit to Europe, was a cherished sister of Pappenheimer, Esq., of the firm of Pappenheimer & Dryfoos, Pearl Street. The awful incident has bereaved many Cincinnati families, what little consolation public sympathy can render is theirs, for our whole community console with them.
Editor’s Note: The SS Arctic sank on September 27, 1854, just off the coast of Newfoundland. It had collided with the SS Vesta, another vessel in the area. Of the 400 passengers aboard, only 88 survived. The majority of the survivors were the crew, as they were the ones that took the lifeboats after the order was made to launch them. Later, press would call for an investigation, though none ever took place.
— October 20, 1854
150 Years ago
Local and Domestic.
- At the election in this city last Tuesday a novel feature was introduced at the polls. At each voting-place a casket was placed with the inscription, “Put a dime in here for the Memphis sufferers.” The response to the request, we presume, was liberal. We observed no propensity to “stuff” this novel ballot-box.
- The Jewish congregation and societies all over the country are responding liberally to the appeals for aid from the fever-stricken cities. Let it be remembered however, that thousands of dollars are but as a drop in the vast ocean of what is needed. The good work should not be allowed to flag; the sum of money needed to alleviate the misery of Shreveport and Memphis is immense, and none should hold back for fear that too much will be given.
Editor’s Note: Both of the above notes refer to the 1873 Yellow Fever outbreak that struck southern cities, among them Memphis and Shreveport. In Memphis, 2,000 people died from the illness, with another 1,200 residents suffering death from the epidemic in Shreveport. Fortunately, an early October frost knocked down the mosquito population and the communities began recovering. Jewish Organizations all over the country donated help to the suffering cities. Sadly, the epidemic would strike again in 1878, killing more people than the first round five years before.
Foreign Record
Mr. George Smith has just discovered the fragments of an ancient Assyrian canon, from the Babylonian copy of which the much-contested canon of Berosus was unquestionably derived. This relic will form the substance of a paper shortly to be read by its fortunate discoverer before the Society of Biblical Archaeology.
— October 17, 1873
125 Years ago
Queen Wilhelmina opened her reign in Holland with giving away to distinguished men of her dominion, including a large number of Jews, quite a number of marks of distinction in the form of orders, medals, titles and paying appointments. Holland was the first country in all Christendom which granted to the Jews religious freedom, and the dynasty from which the present queen descends was the very first in Europe to protect unconditionally the right of Jews as members of the commonwealth. So the generous queen, on her ascension to the throne, acted in full harmony with her country’s tradition and her ancestry.
Jottings
- If one of our readers can furnish us with any information concerning the present whereabouts of Joseph Steinberg, who went to Buenos Ayres, Argentine, many years ago, he will oblige an inquiring relative.
- Both the Democratic and Republican parties of New York have nominated a Jew as one of their three nominees for Justice of the Supreme Court. The former have named David Leventritt and the latter William N. Cohen. The Bar Association has declared Leventritt unfit for the office.
Editor’s Note: While the Bar Association did indeed state that Leventritt was unfit for the bench, he was elected to the Supreme Court and served from Jan. 1, 1899 until April of 1908. In 1906, the same Bar Association that had condemned him earlier passed a resolution commending Levintritt’s conduct. He died in New York City, aged 81, in 1926.
— October 20, 1898
100 Years ago
Jottings
- An odd occurrence took place recently at Ellenville, N.Y. Benjamin Gehrlich, a Kosher butcher, is without his kosher privileges because he insisted on having judgement satisfied on Yom Kippur. The Ellenville Hebrew Aid Society was so enraged at the sacrilege that it voted to withdraw from Gehrlich the right to have his meat killed by the Rabbi.
- Considerable interest was aroused at the last convention of the Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society of Denver at an exhibition of the bookbinding craft by parents of the Society’s Sanatorium. The specimens of bookbinding on view showed a remarkable degree of skill, and it is interesting to note that the young men whose works were exhibited had learned the craft while in the sanatorium. The management had started a class in this work, not only as a means of teaching a pleasant, clean trade, which could be followed by the patients after their cure, but as an additional agent in curative work.
- The English people are the lost ten tribes, Lord Gisborn, the Premier of New Zealand, declared in an address before the “Israel” congress. The Congress consists of those who believe that the English are the lost Israelite tribes. As evidencing the descent of the British from ancient Jews, Lord Gisborn pointed to the word “British” which he said was compounded of the Hebrew words Brith and ish (A man of the Covenant). Princess Alice is one of the participants in the Congress. According to the rumors, the Premier of New Zealand, Mr. Massey, is one of the believers and supporters of this theory.
— October 18, 1923
75 Years ago
Public Invited To Attend County Fair Oct. 28th At the Avondale School
Mrs. Joe Mendelsohn, president of the Avondale PTA reports fine cooperation of the principal George Franz, and assistant, Svet Nankovitch, in their work for the county fair to be held Thursday, Oct. 28th, from 5 until 10:30 p.m. at the Avondale School. The entire faculty, including Miss Bertha Schroder, Miss Norma Keening, art teacher who has worked Publicity and Decorations, Miss Addie Silver, Doll Display Chairman, and many others have assumed extra duties cheerfully, she added.
At the JC: Succah is Built By Youth Groups
Construction of a Succah by the Interfratority Council and B’nai B’rith youth groups in “LeCenterville Gardens” at the Jewish Center, may be visited and used by all groups who wish to do so during the Sukkot holidays. To avoid conflicts, groups are advised to clear dates with Ted Bader, adviser, UN 7800. The committee in charge of the construction is Sanford Levy, chairman; Walter Bortz, Alvin Caplan, Dave Knoffer, Alfred Einhorn, Irving Schecter, Ronald Greenfield, Jacque Friedman, Irving Rauchman, Herman Goldman, Don Jacobs, and Edie Cohen.
B’nai B’rith girls are handling decorations.
— October 21, 1948
50 years ago
Bas Mitzvah
We invite you to worship with us on the occasion of the Bas Mitzvah of our daughter, Stacy Ellen, Friday evening, Oct. 26th, at Adath Israel Synagogue at 8:15 p.m. and to join us at the reception following the service.
Stacy is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Sokolow of New York City and Mr. Al Thrope and the late Mrs. Ida Thrope also of New York City.
Joel and Shirley Thrope
Bar Mitzvah
- Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Cohen announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Eliot Archer Cohen, on Saturday, October 20th, at Isaac M. Wise Temple, Plum Street, at 10:45 a.m.
Elliot is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Max A. Cohen of Providence, R.I., and Mrs. William Herman of Springfield, Mass.
Friends are invited to join the family on this joyous occasion and to attend the Kiddush following the service. - Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Levy are pleased to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Scott Elliot, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 10:45 a.m., at Temple Sholom on Longmeadow Lane. Scott is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Tessel of N. Miami Beach, Fla. Scott also is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Abe Levy and the great grandson of the late Mrs. Fannie Stein.
- Stuart Jay Levy will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 10:45 a.m. at Plum Street Temple.
His parents, Dr. and Mrs. James S. Levy, cordially invite you to worship with them on this happy occasion and join them for Kiddish following the service. - Frederic Louis Weiland will be called to the Torah for his Bar Mitzvah at Rockdale Temple on Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:45 a.m.
Fred is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Weiland. He is the grandson of Mrs. Roy D. Pastor and the late Mr. Pastor and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weiland.
— October 18, 1973
25 Years ago
Community gathers for huge Simchat Torah celebration
More than 600 people from the Cincinnati Jewish community gathered at Cincinnati Hebrew Day school the evening of Oct. 12 to take part in Simchat Torah festivities.
The first “city-wide” celebration was jointly sponsored by the religious, education and outreach institutions of the Orthodox community. “It was one of the most inspiring celebrations in memory,” said Rabbi Hanan Balk of Golf Manor Synagogue.
Many of those present said that they were “blown away” at the sign of hundred of people celebrating in an atmosphere of joy and unity that brought tears to the eyes of some who never thought it could happen.
The success of the Simchat Torah event has everyone talking about next year’s gathering, said Dr. Len Horwitz, president of the Vaad Hoier, who summed up “the incredible happiness and good spirit that all experienced” with the following comment: “If the moschiach (messiah) would have shown up and seen the sincere love and unity that was expressed that evening he would probably have thought that he was too late — and that moschiach had already come!”
— October 22, 1998
10 Years ago
Wise Temple installs three new Rabbis – a historical first
At no other time has a Temple installed three new rabbis, representing ordination from all three HUC–JIR campuses. On October 25 at 7:15 PM Wise Center, Wise Temple will install Rabbi Karen Thomashow as its Associate Rabbi (ordained at HUC Cincinnati in 2007), and as its Assistant Rabbis, Rabbi Rachel Maimin (ordained at HUC New York in 2013), and Rabbi Sydney Henning (ordained at HUC Los Angeles in 2013).
Adding to the uniqueness of this event, Rabbi David Ellenson, HUC–JIR President, who ordained each of the rabbis, will be the guest speaker at the installation. Rabbi Ellenson has led HUC–JIR with great distinction for the past twelve years and will be retiring from the position of President of the College–Institute at the end of the year.
— October 17, 2013
