Six-page letter (8 x 12 inches), primarily in English with interspersed Hebrew, titled "ALBANY FOR THE OCCIDENT" and "AMERICAN LITURGY." Likely written circa late 1840s or early 1850s, it offers an early critique of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise's reform activities in Albany by an Orthodox member of the Albany community. The letter mocks Wise, referring to him as "Rev. Beth Din," and discusses his attempts at liturgical reform and the establishment of a unified American Jewish ritual. The author expresses concern over the potential schisms within the Jewish community caused by these reforms and also cites Mr. L. and the Occident. The letter is missing a page that likely contained the writer's signature. This remarkable document, sent to Leeser's Occident, provides rare insight into the early stages of the Reform movement in America.
Subject: Isaac Leeser
No additional authority information available for Isaac Leeser.
A single-page autograph letter written in both German and Yiddish by three different authors. The letter, measuring 9" x 5.25", is written on both sides. The letter is part of a collection containing the only known correspondence to Isaac Leeser from Europe. Historians believe Leeser requested the destruction of his personal letters. Also included in the folder is a fragment of a letter in German.
This is a program from the dedication ceremony of Congregation Beth El Emeth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 3, 1857. The program includes an address delivered by Reverend Solomon Jacobs. Congregation Beth El Emeth was formed by a group of pro-Isaac Leeser members of Mikvah Israel, primarily to provide Leeser with a pulpit after his retirement from Mikvah Israel. This program is significant as it documents the establishment of a new synagogue and the role of key figures in 19th-century American Judaism.
Fragment of a letter, approximately 8 inches by 4 inches, written by Isaac Leeser to George Barnard. The fragment constitutes the final page of a longer letter, with writing present on both sides. The main body appears to be an article Leeser wishes to have published, followed by a postscript (P.S.) containing a private note. Date unknown.
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.
A beautifully penned single-sheet letter (both sides) written by "Dr. Ewing" to Isaac Leeser on October 14, 1864, from New Orleans during the Civil War. Acting as Leeser's agent, Ewing sends a draft for books sold and lists remaining books (titles written in Hebrew), noting that some were not yet sold because the buyers had left for Matamoras, Mexico. He mentions other Leeser titles (in Hebrew) and orders two more titles, including one with a German translation, and 3 dozen copies of Peixotto's Scriptures. Ewing also inquires about the progress of the "Occident" and Bondi's election to the congregation, ordering 3 dozen copies of Leeser's "Hebrew Reader." The letter reflects the exodus of Jewish residents from New Orleans to Mexico during the Union occupation.
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.
This one and a half page letter, dated November 21, 1856, was written by J.H. Hockstaeder in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Isaac Leeser. Hockstaeder expresses his pleasure at having recently visited Leeser in Philadelphia and requests that Leeser send copies of *The Occident* to Milwaukee. He also inquires about whether *The Occident* contains a notice regarding the German congregation of Milwaukee and asks Leeser to send copies to the congregation's president and other officers, offering to pay for them. The letter includes Hockstaeder's return address in Milwaukee, care of E.M. Mayer's box. A historical note mentions that the first congregation in Milwaukee was established in 1847, with a second in 1852; both merged to form B'ne Jeshurun in 1856, the same year this letter was written.
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 manuscript, written by Isaac Leeser, is an 8" x 6" page in English and Hebrew. Leeser notes that he found the Hebrew text in 1806 within a manuscript in the possession of the Rabbi of Berlin, dating back to the 16th century. The Hebrew text itself is in fine block letters with points and contains the year 5601 (1841), marking the beginning of a new 28-year Hebrew solar cycle. The significance of this date in relation to the manuscript's content requires further investigation. The manuscript was found among other Leeser papers and has been reviewed by Dr. Arthur Kiron and Bruce Nielsen at the Katz Center, University of Pennsylvania.
A 5.5 x 6 inch manuscript note on anti-Semitic scholars and their errors. Part of the note may have been copied from an article. The note appears complete and was likely kept for reference. It may have been an insert from a letter to Isaac Leeser on the subject, as it was found with other Leeser papers. The note is not in Leeser's handwriting. This document has been reviewed and verified at the Katz Center of the University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Arthur Kiron, the Schottenstein-Jesselson Curator of Judaica Collections and Bruce Nielsen, Judaica Public Services Librarian and Archivist, who is a trained paleographer.
A three-page manuscript (plus a few lines on a fourth page) on 8" x 10" paper, possibly in the hand of Isaac Leeser. The manuscript explores the prophecy of the Messiah, citing various sources including Leeser's own book (Vol. 1, pg 131). Dated circa early 1850, it reflects Leeser's engagement with the contemporary controversy with Wise regarding the denial of the Messiah prophecy. The authorship is not conclusively determined but is strongly suggested by its content and discovery among other Leeser papers. The manuscript has been reviewed by Dr. Arthur Kiron (Schottenstein-Jesselson Curator of Judaica Collections) and Bruce Nielsen (Judaica Public Services Librarian and Archivist) at the Katz Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
One-page handwritten document recording the election of Isaac Leeser as Hazan (cantor) of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 6, 1829. The document, signed by Abraham Myers Cohen, Secretary pro tem, details the election process and the resolution to engage Leeser for a two-year term at a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum. A subsequent resolution appointed a committee to inform Leeser of his appointment. This document is significant as it marks the beginning of Leeser's career as a prominent American Jewish leader and writer.
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.
A blank pre-printed receipt or statement of services for H. Polano, Jr., based in Philadelphia, PA. The form indicates services for "Professional Services at Funeral of" and includes a line for "Received Payment". It also notes that H. Polano, Jr. is an "Agent for Isaac Leeser's Prayer Books and Bibles". The item features ornate Victorian-style script for key phrases like "No.", "To", "For Professional Services at Funeral of", and "Received Payment", complemented by a standard serif font for other text. The verso contains handwritten notations for "Removing fire wood to celler (.50)" and "Com. on collection (44.48)", totaling "44.98". 3.
A resolution, likely written by Isaac Leeser, granting permission for the burial of Frederick Samuel, a non-member of Mikveh Israel, in the cemetery. The resolution stipulates that services and shiva be conducted by Leeser and that a fee of $100 be paid. The document is undated but is clearly in Leeser's hand and is estimated to be from the early 1840s. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1842.