Dr. Aaron Friedenwald: 19th Century Orthodox Physician (Part I)
This was a most unusual step to take in those days, given the difficulties of travel to Europe. Nonetheless, on May 1, 1860 he sailed from New York on the steamship Hammonia.
The American Indian: Descended From The Ten Lost Tribes? (Part I)
There were many who believed that some North America Indians were descended from Jews.
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.
Judah Touro: Legendary Philanthropist
"[Judah] Touro's name will always be numbered among the foremost in the annals of American philanthropy. His charities knew neither race nor creed, and his public spirit was no less noteworthy."[i]
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger: Critic Of Jewish Life In America
He was absolutely convinced that, religiously, they were much better off in Eastern Europe and Russia than in America.
Escape From The Inquisition
"In 1478 at the request of the Spanish sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabella, Pope Sixtus IV (1471-84) issued a papal bull allowing for the creation of the Spanish Inquisition.
Jacob De La Motta: Early American Jewish Medical Pioneer
The faithfulness and integrity with which he performed the duties and various public trusts, won for him the confidence of his fellow citizens.
Jewish Agricultural Colonies in America (Part III)
“Attuned to the ideal of establishing a new Zion in free America, they named their new colony Palestine.
The Gomez Family
The Gomez family was one the foremost Jewish families in New York during colonial times.
The First Jew To Live In North America
The year 2004 marked the 350th anniversary of Jewish settlement in America.
Rev. Samuel Myer Isaacs: Champion of Orthodoxy (Part I)
Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are from “The Forerunners – Dutch Jewry in the North America Diaspora” by Robert P. Swierenga, Wayne State University...
Bris Mila During Colonial Times
Since the time of Avraham Aveinu, Jews have observed the mitzva of having their sons circumcised on the eighth day after birth.
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.
Jews in Europe: Do Not Come To America!
He must understand that nothing is more valuable or useful in America than smooth talk and vulgarity.
Dr. Simeon Abrahams: More Than A Footnote
There were Jews living during the nineteenth century who made substantial contributions to Yiddishkeit but who, unfortunately, are almost completely forgotten today. Their lives are at most a footnote in standard books dealing with American Jewish history. One such man was Dr. Simeon Abrahams, a pillar of the New York Jewish community during his relatively short life.
Mordecai Sheftall – Revolutionary War Patriot
In Savannah, Georgia, there is a memorial to the American Revolution called Battlefield Memorial Park. One of the markers there is for Colonel Mordecai Sheftall.
Dr. Aaron Friedenwald: 19th Century Orthodox Physician (Part II)
He wrote a strong defense of shechitah in which he maintained that the Jewish method of slaughter had a humanitarian influence on the Jewish people.
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.
Jacob da Silva Solis – Advocate For Orthodox Judaism
Jacob da Silva Solis was born into London's Sephardic community on August 4, 1780. He referred to himself as Jacob S. Silva. Arriving in America on October 25, 1803, Jacob almost immediately affiliated with New York's Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue (Shearith Israel). On April 24, 1811, he married Charity Hays, daughter of a Westchester County farmer. They had seven children, the eldest born in 1813 and the youngest in 1827.
Ben Zion Weberman: Forgotten Orthodox Activist
Ben Zion held the Malach in high regard and the feeling was reciprocated. “I never met a man whose views are closer to mine,” the Malach is reported to have said.
Rabbi Moshe Meir Matlin, Torah Education Pioneer
"More than a million Jewish immigrants landed on the shores of the United States between 1881 and 1905.
Early Caribbean Jewish Communities (Part II)
In 1527 the Spanish took possession of Curacao.
Jewish Soldiers Observe Pesach During The Civil War
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries Jews in America did not face the level of discrimination encountered by their brothers and sisters living in other lands.
The Life Of Rav Shimon Schwab (Part I)
From his earliest youth Rav Schwab had a clear and unwavering desire to become a talmid chacham and serve as a rabbi.
Israel Rokeach (1841 – 1933): Founder of I. Rokeach & Sons
Practically to his last days the patriarchal founder was at his office almost daily and took an active interest in all matters connected with the business.
Did Haym Salomon Really Finance The American Revolution?
One of the most fascinating figures in American Jewish history is Haym Salomon (1740-1785).
Rabbi Simon Joshua Glazer: Early 20th Century Wordsmith (Part I)
Virtually all of the rabbonim who came to America during the latter part of the nineteenth century did not speak English. A few did master the language and become proficient at speaking and writing it; one of these was Rabbi Simon Joshua Glazer, who did more than just learn to speak and write in English - he also acquired a substantial secular education.
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.
Gershom Mendes Seixas, American Patriot (Part Two)
The British evacuated New York on November 25, 1783, and Congress demobilized the American army shortly thereafter.
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.