In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
Noisy Congregations
A gentleman entering a synagogue was surprised to hear the congregation uttering the prayers in a loud voice, he likened it to a boisterous assembly, and remarked, that his church members approached their God with awe and scarcely ever prayed so as to be heard. “The fact is,” rejoined a Jew, “you are a stranger to your God, while we meet ours every day, and are not afraid to utter our praises and prayers aloud.”
— October 27, 1854
150 Years ago
A Little Rationalism
We have no revival preachers and want none to stir up the American Israelites; we do not threaten poor mortals with the devil’s teeth and paws, and brimstone perfume; we do not rouse the passions, benighted the senses, and excite nerves and brains to insanity; to make poor fellows religious; we do not provide the lunatic asylums with candidates to create a religious furor among the masses; we threaten none with hell and damnation, and have no objection that Christian and Heathen, Mohammedan and infidel inherit the kingdom of heaven, each in his own way. And yet Judaism flourishes in this country without a parallel or precedent in history; and yet a new spirit of life, of energy and lofty aspiration manifests itself everywhere in the formation of new congregations, in the steady growth of the old ones, and the active interest taken in them.
Local and Domestic
The Bible history by Rev. Dr. Deutsch, of Hartford, Conn., will do well for the Sabbath-schools. It is well written, well printed and provided with map and archaeological cuts, which are of considerable benefit to teacher and pupil.
– The term “Jew” is derived from Judah, first Latinized to Judeus, then Germanized to Jud, then Anglicized, the d dropped to Ju or Jew. It is a corrupt term, denoting of persons from Judea, as the southern part of Palestine was called by the Romans.
— October 29, 1875
125 Years ago
Plum St. Temple
At the meeting of the board of trustees of the Plum Street Temple the secretary was instructed to advertise the congregation’s desire to engage a cantor. A number of designs were submitted for a monument for the late Rabbi Isaac M. Wise, one of which was approved and referred to the committee wit power to act. The board received a letter from Mrs. Selma Wise, thanking the congregation for its generous action toward her.
– The Hebrew Sabbath School Union has announced its intention to publish during the coming year the third series of leaflets on Biblical history. This will make the fourth series of such publications issued by the Union for in addition to these history leaflets a set of religious leaflets have been issued. These leaflets have proven of incalculable benefit not only in the religious schools of many of our congregations, but particularly in the smaller places where there are no congregations nor rabbis, and where some earnest co-religionist has organized a school. Such have welcome the leaflets as a great boon, and as the greatest possible help in their unselfish labors.
– The agitation to revive the Souther Conference of Rabbis that has been set in motion by our genital contemporary, The Jewish Spectator, appears to us ill-advised and mistaken. We do not believe that the problems of Judaism in the South are so different from those in the rest of the country as to require special and peculiar treatment.
— November 1, 1900
100 Years ago
Central Conference American Rabbis At Cincinnati In 36th Annual Session
Message of the President, Rev. Dr. Abram Simon, Washington, D.C., Discussing Important Matters
Rev. Dr. Abram Simon of Washington, D.C., submitted the following message to the 36th Annual Session of the Central Conference of American Rabbis at Cincinnati on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Hebrew Union College:
The President’s Message:
The Central Conference of American Rabbis enjoys a sense of at-homeness in Cincinnati. Tradition has it that the air of Jerusalem makes for wisdom. Our experience attests that the atmosphere of Cincinnati is redolent with sacred memories and inspiriting to healthful activity for Reform Judaism. The Jubilee of the Hebrew Union College supplies a colorful background to our Convention.
– All references to evolution in text books on biology and other subjects adopted by the Texas state text book board, were ordered eliminated by a resolution which is said to have been unanimously adopted. Three chapters of “Biology for Beginners” by Truman G. Moon were ordered deleted. Governor Miriam A. Ferguson is Chairman of the Board.
— October 29, 1925
75 Years ago
Dr. Heller Again Is President of Community Council
Dr. James G. Heller, rabbi of Wise Temple, was elected to his third consecutive term as president of the Cincinnati Jewish Community Council in annual session Monday evening, Oct. 30, at the Jewish Community Center.
Chosen with him were Sol Luckman, first vice president; Lester A. Jaffe, second vice president; Maurice J. Stevens, secretary.
Cincinnati Will Be Host To Joint Defense Appeal
How to meet the needs of the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith in the light of a changing national Jewish fund-raising pattern will be the question faced by the National Council of the Joint Defense Appeal when it convenes in Cincinnati Friday, Nov. 10 – Sunday, Nov. 12, according to the meeting chairman, Philip Meyers.
4-Point Program For Israel Voted As 1,200 Convene
Washington, D.C. (SPL)—Approximately 1,200 American Jewish communal leaders heard messages on Israel’s hopes and needs by Israeli and U.S. spokesman at “national planning conference” here Oct. 27-29.
The aim was to chart a program in solution of Israel’s economic difficulties. Some 44 Jewish organizations were represented.
— November 2, 1950
50 years ago
Hadassah Regional President Affirms Goals of Israel
The “Humanitarian Ideals and Liberation Goals” of Zionism were affirmed today by Shirley Flacks of Dayton, President of the Central States Region of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, on behalf of the 15,000 members in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
She strongly endorsed the following statement made by Hadassah, on behalf of its 340,000 members:
“Zionism is the Jewish people’s liberations movement—dedicated to preserving the culture, identity and survival of the Jewish people in their homeland. It is based on the principles of social Justice and respect for all people, and as such has not only welcomed but given assistance to other emerging and developing nations.”
Bar Mitzvah
– Dr. And Mrs. William Bonifiace invites to all to celebrate with them on the occasion of Bar Mitzvah of their son George, on Sat. the 8th of Nov., at 10:45 a.m., at Plum Street Temple. Kiddush following the services.
– Dr. And Mrs. Stuart Silverman are proud to announce the forthcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Marc. H., on Saturday the 15th of November, at Adath Israel Synagogue at 9:00 a.m.
Friends and relatives are invited to join them on this happy occasion and be with them for Kiddush following services.
Marc is the grandson of Mrs. Nat Silverman and the late Mr. Nat Silverman, and Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hening of Toledo.
– Mr. and Mrs. John S. (Barbara) Griffin, formerly of Cincinnati, and now residing at 4514 S. Clark Avenue, Tampa, Fla., are proud to announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Gregory Scott Griffin, was on Saturday, Oct. 4, 1975, at Congregation Beth Israel, Tampa, followed by Kiddush luncheon. An evening dinner reception was held for out-of-town and local friends and relatives.
Gregory is the grandson of Mrs. Ethel Ehrlich and the late Mr. Sam Ehrlich, formerly of Cincinnati. She resides in Tampa.
— October 30, 1975
25 Years ago
Sukkot is a learning experience
The sun came through rain clouds just in time for Northern Hills congregants to celebrate Sukkot together. Following a spirited service, 60 adults, teens and children enjoyed lunch together in the community sukkah. A special service for children had been held earlier in the morning.
The afternoon educational program focused on the mystical tradition of inviting guests, known as ushpizin, into the sukkah. Attendees were asked to evaluate the life experiences and personal qualities of the traditional ushpizin, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Aaron, Joseph and Moses. Teams of participants also brainstormed about Biblical women they might consider to be ushpizin, as well as modern-day Jewish leaders, heroes and scholars.
Younger participants played the role of ushpizin and uncovered the identity of famous Jews by asking their peers questions.
— November 2, 2000
10 Years ago
Introducing Brian Freedman bringing Experiential Learning to Northern Hills Synagogue
“Train a child according to his way; even when he grows old, he will not turn away from it.” This quote, from Proverbs 22:6, provides an excellent approach to lifelong Jewish Education,” says Brian Freedman, Northern Hills Synagogue — Congregation B’nai Avraham’s new Director of Lifelong Learning where he will act as head of the congregation’s Spark School for Experiential Jewish Learning and oversee the teen program and all other educational programs and events for people of all ages.
— October 29, 2015
