In the Beginning: 1854
Each week The American Israelite will print an item from the first years.
My Dear Friend,—As many persons here have advanced an opinion, questioning the sincerity of the religious views of Dr. Wise, asserting, that chameleon-like, he assumed only the color of the occasion and knowing you are a supporter and warm admirer of the principles he advocates, I take liberty of requesting you, (who have doubtless made his personal acquaintance) to give your opinion regarding his sincerity, and to define at the same time, the position he assumes.
For my own part, though personally unacquainted with the gentleman (save though his writings) I was nevertheless always an admirer of his doctrines, and am convinced, that the boldness of his style and the clearness of his reasoning, is only the necessary result of genuine honest conviction.
Believing as I do, that raw progressive spirit of reform, which has so preeminently characterized the nineteenth century, is destined to manifest itself as much, and produce as great a revolution in theology as any other science, and, my friend, that this is most needed is a truth every candid, free thinking mind will admit without hesitation.
—September 22, 1854
150 Years ago
Local and Domestic
One of the teachers of the Talmud Yolodim Institute, Mr. Gerstle, officiates during the holy days in the synagogue at Toledo, Ohio; and another, Mr. Mass, conducts the service in the John Street Temple in his city.
To the Editor of the American Israelite
This week, as usual at this season of the year, the sale of seats took place at the temple, for the ensuing holidays, and an advertisement was inserted in the daily papers, notifying the Israelites of Washington of the fact. The Bohemians of the press, who smell an item from after off, came up with their pencils and black book, but were assured by the trustees that there was nothing at all transpiring that would in the slightest degree interest the general public, but the hungry knights of Faber had seen the advertisement and were resolved to have an item, so they found out the names of the Trustees and officers of the Washington Hebrew congregation and made up a lengthy description of an election held at the vestry room, which never took place; but the American people hunger after news and something must be put in their blankets of newspaper whether it is true or false. The past week has been quite a succession of gala days, the Singing Society, Virginia, from Richmond being here on a visit to the temporary absence of L. Waldeker, the President of the Saengerbund. During the temporary absence of L. Waldeker, the President of the Saengerbund, the duty of welcoming the visiting society devolved on A. Hart, Esq.
– Rev. Dr. Solomon Deutsch copied his text book called “Biblical History in Biblical Language,” Hartford, Conn., of 371 pages, with a map of Palestine, and an appendix of a thousand and one questions, for the benefit of teachers. This book is well written and well printed, and will be welcome to teachers and parents who wish to teach an epitome of the history contained in the Bible. We will review it at some future day.
—September 24, 1875
125 Years ago
Jottings
– San Francisco has a new and good-looking aspirant in the Jewish journalistic field, the New Occident, Jacob Nieto, editor. The number before us is full of good things and indicates a successful career for the new paper.
– Seventeen hundred and ninety-one Jewish immigrants landed at Philadelphia during June, July and August. Of these, 1 came from Germany, 1 from France, 11 from South Africa, 85 from Hungary and 2 were born at sea. The rest came from Russia, Roumania and Galicia.
Chicago Israelite
Paris. Sept. 18—An incident which probably results in a duel took place Saturday evening at the first performance of “Cornet Du Diable.” When M. Vervort formerly the director of the paper “Le Jour” was passing along the corridors to reach his seat in the body of the house he heard some one remark: “There goes a distinguished Nationalist.” He replied: “It is better to be a Nationalist than a Jew.” Whereupon a Hebrew stockbroker named Lattes remarked: “Monsieur, it is better to be a Jew than a cur.” An exchange of cards brought the incident temporarily to a close.
— September 27, 1900
100 Years ago
Zionist Doings
It has been evident from the beginning of the Zionist Congress that its success, and the significance for the future of the movement, depended altogether on the earnest and sincere endorsement of the administration of Dr. Chaim Weizmann and the executive body of which he has been the head. This endorsement having been accorded, the movement can go forward with reasonable assurance of successful achievement.
One of the patent facts about the Congress is that it lasted too long. All the factions were entitled to a patient hearing, but there was no reason for trying to convert the Congress into a wind-jamming contest, which countless speeches by the fiery Lieutenant Jabotinsky and other “Luftmenschen” who seem to think that the Zionists have unlimited power to control the destines of Palestine and secure the funds needed to carry out the Zionist’s plans.
—September 24, 1925
75 Years ago
Social and Personal
Mr. Irvin F. Westheimer is serving with six members of the University of Cincinnati faculty on a committee sponsoring lectures on “Atoms, Atomic Energy and the Atomic Age,” for high-ranking high school seniors in the Cincinnati area on Saturday mornings beginning Oct. 21 at UC. Mr. Westheimer was chairman of the Cincinnati Atomic Age Exhibit, “Man and the Atom,” in 1948 at Music Hall.
Bar Mitzvah
Dr. And Mrs. J.E. Levin, of 4523 Bristol Lane, announce the forthcoming bar mitzvah of their son, Joseph M., Saturday morning, Oct. 7, at the Louis Feinberg Synagog.
A reception will be held in his honor the same evening, Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8 to 11 p.m., at the Louis Feinberg Center. Relatives and friends are cordially invited. No cards.
The Award to Dr. Bunche
The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. Ralph Bunche is a dramatic reaffirmation of the great truth that men have a responsibility of judging their fellowmen on the basis of character.
Down through the ages, criteria other than that of character have crept in. There are such matters as race and creed and social and economic status, and all of the other things that tend to warp men’s minds and set them passing judgement on an emotional basis.
—September 28, 1950
50 years ago
Bar Mitzvah
Our son, Brian Frederick Rowe will be Bar Mitzvah Saturday morning, Sept. 27th, at 10:45, at Rockdale Temple, Ridge rd., at Cross-County Highway.
Brian is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Herrington and Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bernstein.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Bernstein
Bas Mitzvah
Mr. Edward Fidler and his children, Mark and Anita, are pleased to announce that their dear wife and mother, Evelyn, will become the first adult Bas Mitzvah in Cincinnati, at Adath Israel Synagogue, Ridge and Galbraith Roads, Friday evening, Oct. 3, at 8:15 p.m.
They would like to invite their relatives, friends and members of the congregation to share this Simcha with them, and to attend the Oneg Shabbot following the services.
Social News
A one-day showing and sale of Israeli art will be held at the Jewish Community Center Art Gallery Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Marcia Goldsmith, supervisor of Cultural Programming at the Center announced.
The showing is being brought to Cincinnati by Jacob Adler, importer of Israeli art, of the Adler-Foldes Gallery of Fine Arts.
Included will be numbered, signed and documented lithographs, framed or unframed; and oils by Harold Rotenberg, whose works have been shown in Tel Aviv Museum.
—September 25, 1975
25 Years ago
Rabbi Max Newman dies at 86
Rabbi Man Newman, 86, rabbi emeritus of Agudath Achim (Roselawn) Synagogue and former education director of Adath Israel religious school, died of cancer September 20 at his Roselawn home.
Rabbi Newman began life in the tenements of the Tottenham neighborhood of London, England, where he was born to David and Pessel Newman, Jewish immigrants from Slovakia. In England, he studied at the Yeshiva Eitz Chaim and in 1928 was honored for being the outstanding student in the Talmud Torahs and Hebrew Institutes of all England.
Bar Mitzvah
Saturday, September 23, Temple Shalom
Daniel Rosenbaum, son of Lori and Tom Rosenbaum, will become a Bar Mitzvah.
—September 28, 2000
10 Years ago
New Rabbinical and Graduate Students Launch the New Academic Year at HUC-JIR
The newest class of rabbinical and graduate students commenced their learning at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) with the start of the New Year. This historic Cincinnati campus of HUC, established in 1875 and celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, is a center for Jewish learning, scholarly research and community engagement.
—September 24, 2015
