The Influence of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch in America (Part II)
Early in his life Reb Shraga Feivel decided he would devote himself to strengthening Orthodoxy in the face of the onslaughts of those who would undermine Torah Judaism.
Forty Years As Rav Of Baltimore’s Congregation Shearith Israel
Despite his remarkable qualifications, it became clear to Dr. Schaffer that he would not be able to obtain a rabbinical position in either Germany or Russia.
Jonas Friedenwald: Pillar Of Orthodoxy In 19th Century Baltimore
The ship’s captain apparently respected the Friedenwalds’ strict adherence to halacha because he allowed them to use his cabin for davening and other religious observances.
Sabato Morais – Forgotten Advocate For Orthodoxy (Part Two)
Last month we sketched the life of Reverend Dr. Sabato Morais and discussed his spiritual leadership of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia as well as his involvement in a wide range of communal activities. Here we outline some of his many other accomplishments and describe his huge funeral.
Gershom Mendes Seixas: American Patriot (Part III)
These letters give us the privilege of knowing him in his old age when he is mellow, tempered in his judgments, and sagacious from long experience of dealing with people.
The American Indian: Descended From The Ten Lost Tribes? (Part II)
Penn wrote the following to a friend in England: “I found them [the Indians of the eastern shore of North America] with like countenances with the Hebrew race; and their children of so lively a resemblance to them that a man would think himself in Duke’s place, or Barry street, in London, when he sees them.”
Preserving Baltimore’s First Synagogue (Part II)
Last month we dealt with the building of the Lloyd Street Synagogue, the first synagogue to be built in Maryland. This month we look at how the building became a church, then again an Orthodox Synagogue, and finally a historic site.
The Man Who Brought Judah Touro Back To Judaism
Last month's column sketched the life of Judah Touro (1775-1854), who became immensely wealthy after his move to New Orleans in 1802, using his fortune to support many causes and individuals.
Rabbi Dr. Phillipp (Hillel) Klein, Talmudic And Secular Scholar
Rabbi Klein delivered his sermons in such a high classical German that a group of his congregants had to repeatedly ask him to speak so he could be understood.
The First Jew To Live In North America
The year 2004 marked the 350th anniversary of Jewish settlement in America.
The Jews Of Washington During The Civil War
Washington, D.C. was created in 1790 as a result of a political compromise.
“Washington was a Federal city. It did not have a ‘State’ government. It was under the direct control of Congress for even the simplest of things; schools, streets, courts and land use by private individuals and corporations. Accordingly, Congress dutifully passed on the last day of the first session of the 28th Congress, June 17, 1844, ‘A Bill, concerning conveyances or devices of places of public worship in the District of Columbia.’
Rebecca (Machado) Phillips: Colonial Jewish Matriarch
Little has been written about the lives of Jewish women during colonial times. In general, historians have focused on the lives of men who were noteworthy during that era, primarily because more information is available about men who were publicly active than women who, more often than not, devoted the majority of their efforts to the home scene.
Sampson Simson, Eccentric Orthodox Philanthropist
Sampson Simson was born on June 30, 1781 in Danbury, Connecticut and died January 7, 1857 in New York. Sampson's father, Solomon Simson, was also American born. Solomon was partners with his brother Sampson Simson, whom we shall refer to as Sampson the elder.
Brooklyn Yeshivas In The 1930s (Part II)
Despite such opposition, the Yeshivah of Flatbush opened that year with 22 children, four teachers for two classes – a kindergarten and a first grade.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Influence In America (Part I)
Frankfort-on-the-Main was the city of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, inspired and inspiring leader in Israel, man of God if ever there was one.
The Life Of Rav Shimon Schwab (Part III)
Needless to say, a cool, calm and wise Rabbi Schwab soothed things over, as he had done on so many other occasions.
Reverend Henry Pereira Mendes: Man Of Chesed (Part II)
In last month’s column we traced the early career of Reverend Dr. Henry (Chaim) Pereira Mendes and described his extraordinary service to Congregation Shearith Israel in New York where he served as hazan (chazzan) and minister from 1877 to 1923 and then as minister emeritus from 1924 until his passing in 1937.
Gershom Kursheedt And Sir Moses Montefiore
Last month's Glimpses column, "The Man Who Brought Judah Touro Back To Judaism," discussed how legendary philanthropist Judah Touro's return to religious observance was influenced by Gershom Kursheedt (1817-1863). Kursheedt also convinced Touro to leave considerable sums of money to support many Jewish causes.
Reverend Abraham de Sola: Scholar Extraordinaire
The name de Sola appears prominently in the annals of Spanish Jewish history. The de Solas may have settled in Andalusia (in southern Spain) as early as the sixth century.
Harry Fischel: Orthodox Jewish Philanthropist Par Excellence (Part I)
The front-page essay "The Multimillionaire Who Remained True to Orthodoxy" (Jewish Press, April 28) dealt with the early life of Harry Fischel.
History of the Day School Movement in America (1880 – 1916)
The addition of secular subjects was little more than a concession to the demands of the day.
American Jewry And The 1840 Damascus Blood Libel
Anyone familiar with Jewish history knows of the blood libels that have been used against Jews for centuries.
Rav Shimon Schwab: Values And Views
After Rav Breuer was nifter in 1980, Rav Schwab led the community until his passing in 1995.
A Jewish Wedding In 1787
Dr. Benjamin Rush (1745-1813), a physician and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, "was the most striking, the most impressive, and the most controversial figure in North American medicine of his day. Brilliant and well educated, he was a restless soul, impatient and impulsive, quick to make decisions and to defend them against all disagreement.
The Proposed Touro Monument And Rav S. R. Hirsch (Part II)
The debate was picked up by a number of national publications, including Isaac Leeser’s Occident.
Henry S. and Benjamin H. Hartogensis
Usually Jewish history books deal with those who have made their mark by doing extraordinary things. While such people obviously are important, there are those who may not have enjoyed much fame yet whose efforts and accomplishments were crucial to maintaining Yahadus in their community. Two such men are Henry S. Hartogensis and his son, Benjamin H. Hartogensis, who devoted their lives to the Jewish community of Baltimore.
Chazzan Jacques Judah Lyons: Early American Congregational Leader
From 1654, when the first Jews arrived in North America, until 1840, when the first Orthodox ordained rabbi, Rav Abraham Rice, settled in Baltimore, American Jewry was led by chazzanim and baalei batim (private individuals) who had better than average Torah educations. These men did their best to fill the void in rabbinical leadership that characterized American Jewish life until the last few decades of the nineteenth century.
The Hays Family Of Westchester County
Early American Jewish history is unfortunately replete with examples of observant families who came to America and, within a relatively short period of time, not only abandoned much of their commitment to religious observance but even had the sad experience of having some of their children intermarrying and assimilating. One family that did not follow this trend was the Hays family.
The Chief Rabbi Encounters Opposition
In "Failed Experiment: New York's Only Chief Rabbi" (front-page essay, May 30), we described the warm welcome thousands of Jews gave Rabbi Jacob Joseph when he disembarked from his ship in Hoboken, New Jersey on July 7, 1888.
Jonas Phillips: Orthodox Colonial Businessman
Like many of his contemporaries, he went through some hard years, but eventually he earned the rewards of his perseverance and integrity.