One-page, stampless autograph letter from Isaac Leeser to S. van Beil, written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 30, 1848. Van Beil, a congregant of Leeser's, inquires about the afterlife, seeking information to better respond to others' questions. He prefers a written response over an in-person discussion.
Subject: 19th Century American Judaism
No additional authority information available for 19th Century American Judaism.
Autograph letter signed from Zalma Rehine to Isaac Leeser, written in English on August 2, 1839, from Baltimore, Maryland. The letter discusses mutual friends, health, and Leeser's religious discourses. Rehine mentions 'Miss Etting's' admiration of Leeser's work.
A Hebrew broadside containing Penitential Prayers (Selichoth) for Yom Kippur, published in 1847 for Congregation Sha'are Tefilah in New York City. The broadside specifies the prayers to be recited and indicates the congregation's location on Franklin Street. This printing is possibly the earliest known American printing of this liturgy.
One-page letter written by Jacob I. Cohen, Jr., founder of the banking house J. I. Cohen, Jr., & Brothers in Baltimore, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia on August 4, 1830. Cohen pledges to secure at least 25 additional subscribers for Leeser's forthcoming book, "Instruction in the Mosaic Religion," and promises continued support. The letter highlights the collaboration among Jewish leaders to strengthen Jewish education, with Leeser's book representing a key initiative. Background information on Jacob I. Cohen, Jr. details his family's history, his prominent role in Baltimore's Jewish community and municipal life, and his involvement in various public enterprises.
Draft of a letter to the Board of Editors of the American Hebrew, expressing complaints about inaccuracies in an article titled "The Mouthpiece of American Israelites." The letter was written circa 1885. The American Hebrew, founded by Frederick de Sola Mendes and published by Philip Cowen, began publication on November 21, 1879, in New York City. The weekly was published by the American Hebrew Publishing Company.
A handwritten letter dated March 21, 1853, from D. Feldenheimer of Petersburg, Virginia, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia. Feldenheimer requests that Leeser publish his marriage announcement in the next issue of *The Occident*, a prominent American Jewish periodical. The letter is written in broken English with some misspellings.
Four-page letter written by D. Salomon of Mobile, Alabama, on January 4, 1846, to Isaac Leeser. Salomon describes the consecration of Shaari Shomayin Synagogue in Mobile, his discourse at the ceremony, and discusses Leeser's requests for funds for the Jewish Publication Society and space in *The Occident* for Salomon's "Short Sermons."
Seven-page letter from Rabbi Henry A. Henry to Isaac Leeser, dated January 10, 1855, from New York, New York. Henry accuses Leeser of a personal vendetta, including unfounded attacks on Henry's reputation and livelihood since his arrival in America. The letter also alleges that Leeser withheld valid rebuttals from publication.
Two-page letter from Reverend Henry S. Jacobs in Charleston, South Carolina, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated January 11, 1860. Jacobs discusses the proceedings of the newly inaugurated Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Charleston and a disagreement at a convention. He also mentions collecting $500 for distressed brethren.
Two-page letter written by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise of Albany, New York to Rabbi Isaac Leeser of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 8, 1850. The letter details the events surrounding a conflict at Congregation Beth-El in Albany, including a physical altercation, the involvement of the sheriff, and the subsequent formation of a new congregation, Anshe Emeth. Wise requests that Leeser publish an announcement in the Occident about the new congregation and the resolution of the conflict.
A two-and-a-half-page letter written by Isaac Mayer Wise from Albany, New York, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, circa 1850. Wise sharply criticizes an article in Leeser's *Occident* magazine, written by someone identified only as "Truth." The letter includes a detailed critique of "Truth's" understanding of Jewish history, religious practice, and the role of the *Occident*. Wise's writing style is sarcastic and displays his intellectual prowess. He discusses the importance of history as a source of revelation and challenges "Truth's" interpretation of the Talmud. The letter also includes comments on the Charleston, South Carolina Synagogue and the Chasidic movement. Wise requests that his letter be published in the *Occident*. The letter is a historically significant document providing insight into the internal debates within the American Jewish community of the mid-19th century.
A letter written by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise of Albany, New York to Rabbi Isaac Leeser of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 22, 1850. The letter discusses Wise's opinions on Dr. Raphael, a figure involved in a debate with Reverend Pozanski in Charleston, South Carolina. The letter offers insight into the diverging views of Wise and Leeser, foreshadowing their later falling out.
Three-page letter written by Isaac Strouse to Isaac Leeser on December 23, 1852, from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Strouse discusses his recently written book, a translation and interpretation of D. Ottensoser's work on Josephus, and requests Leeser's review and mention in *The Occident*. The letter also includes a list of approximately 40 previous issues of *The Occident* that Strouse wishes to purchase.
Three-page letter dated April 21, 1852, from J. Harvey in Charleston, South Carolina, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia. Harvey proposes an editorial for publication by Leeser, discussing his perspective on the Reform Movement within the Charleston Jewish community, specifically addressing the role of women in the Sunday school and the disharmony within the congregation. The editorial includes commentary on the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim synagogue.
Letter written by Mayer Sulzberger to Emanuel Furth on July 2, 1880, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter concerns Sulzberger's upcoming European trip and his involvement with the Board of Delegates of American Israelites. The letter is addressed to Furth at the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA) in Philadelphia.
One-and-one-eighth page letter from Rabbi S. M. Isaacs to Isaac Leeser, written circa 1850. The letter discusses concerns about the non-publication of an article by Mark Jacobs and Isaacs' refusal to allow Leeser to publish one of his sermons. The letter was written from New York City and addressed to Leeser in Philadelphia.
A single-sheet manuscript, circa 1850, constituting the annual report of the Hebrew Education Society of Philadelphia. The report includes a list of officers and board members elected for the ensuing year, among them Solomon Solis (President), Moses A. Dropsie, and Isaac Leeser. It also contains a treasurer's report and notes donations, including one from the Portuguese Congregation. This original document, found among Isaac Leeser's papers, was likely intended for publication in "The Occident." The report details the society's activities, including the opening of its first school in 1851 at the Phœnix Hose House on Zane (now Filbert) Street. The Hebrew Education Society of Philadelphia, organized July 16, 1848, was one of the oldest such societies in the United States. Its charter, granted April 7, 1849, authorized the establishment of schools for general and Hebrew education, and a superior seminary.
This archival item consists of a four-page manuscript letter written by Isaac Mayer Wise to Isaac Leeser on March 1, 1850. The letter contains the third installment of Wise's "Principles of Judaism" series, originally published in Leeser's *Occident*. Leeser's handwritten editorial corrections and notes are present in the margins. The letter includes passages in Hebrew and demonstrates the early development of Reform Judaism in the United States. The manuscript is significant for its connection to two prominent 19th-century figures in American Jewish life and its relation to Wise's later work, *The Essence of Judaism* (1861). While lacking Wise's signature, authenticity is confirmed by comparison to other letters by Wise in this collection.
This archival item consists of newspaper clippings pasted onto board. The clippings include articles by an unnamed Jewish convert to Christianity regarding the conversion of Jews, and responses written by Isaac Leeser. At least five separate articles are visible. Some tearing is evident in the clippings. The images show that the text is primarily in English. The condition of the clippings suggests age and handling. Further information on the source newspapers is NOT ENOUGH INFO.
Booklet of prayers for mourners, published in New York by M. Thalmessinger, Stationer and Printer in 1871. The booklet is 12mo, 17 pages long, and originally bound in paper wrappers. The spine has been rebacked. The Singerman collection lists only copies at OCH.
An article from the North American Review, Vol. 23 (1826), reviewing Isaac Harby's "A Discourse delivered in Charleston, South Carolina on the 21st of Nov. 1825, before the Reformed Society of Israelites, for Promoting True Principles of Judaism according to its Purity and Spirit," and "The Constitution of the Reformed Society of Israelites." The review, written from a Christian perspective, offers insights into the early Reform Jewish movement in Charleston, South Carolina, and Harby's leadership within it. The review notes that Harby received correspondence regarding the Discourse from Thomas Jefferson.