Rabbi Theodore (Tanchum) Ostroff was born in Bausk Latvia, according to the history books, but in Kovno, according to his declaration of naturalization for British citizenship. He was a Talmudic scholar who came to London in 1901. His son, known as Rabbi Alexander Astor, educated at the Guildhall School of Music, Etz Chaim Yeshiva and … Continue reading Sefer Tanchuma bar Yitzchak by Rabbi Theodore Ostroff, Jerusalem, 1928
Month: April 2020
With the Jewish Brigade by Benjamin Caspar, London 1947
This little book was written by Reverend Benjamin Caspar, who was the Senior Chaplain to the Jewish Infantry Brigade of the British Army in the Second World War. The Jewish Infantry Brigade Group was formed at a comparatively late date in the Second World War, but it completed training in time to take part in … Continue reading With the Jewish Brigade by Benjamin Caspar, London 1947
Brondesbury Synagogue Semi-Jubilee Celebration Record, compiled by Dayan Harris Lazarus, 1930.
This little book was printed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Brondesbury Synagogue in 1905. It explains that as Jews moved to the rapidly growing districts of Brondesbury and Willesden Green at the close of the nineteenth century, a new synagogue was needed. The two nearest synagogues, St. John's Wood and … Continue reading Brondesbury Synagogue Semi-Jubilee Celebration Record, compiled by Dayan Harris Lazarus, 1930.
The Threefold Cord by Dayan Bernard Spiers, London, Wertheimer, Lea & Co., 1891.
From 1876 the London Beth Din (the Ecclesiastical Court) consisted of Chief Rabbi Nathan Adler, his son, Hermann Adler, and Dayan Bernard Spiers. Bernard Spiers was a Polish-born Rabbi of the old school who was popular in the East End of London. He was concerned to spread Jewish education to the British-born established London Jewish … Continue reading The Threefold Cord by Dayan Bernard Spiers, London, Wertheimer, Lea & Co., 1891.
Dayan Fisher’s copy of Chemdas HaNefesh, the last part of Chemdas Moshe, Warsaw 1897.
This book is in my Anglo-Judaica library because of its Association. It belonged to Dayan Michoel Fisher, Rav Rashi of the Federation of Synagogues in London. For more about Dayan Fisher, see my previous post here. Chemdas Moshe is a book of Shailos and Tshuvos (Questions and Answers) by Rabbi Moshe Perlmutter of Lodz, whose … Continue reading Dayan Fisher’s copy of Chemdas HaNefesh, the last part of Chemdas Moshe, Warsaw 1897.
Ateres Mordechai by Dayan Michoel Fisher, London 1953 (Narod Press)
The author of this book, a commentary on Pirkei Avos - the Ethics of the Fathers - was Rabbi (Later Dayan) Michoel Fisher. He was one of the most distinguished European Rabbis who came to Great Britain and added greatly to the British Rabbinate. He was born in Grodno and studied under the most important rabbinical … Continue reading Ateres Mordechai by Dayan Michoel Fisher, London 1953 (Narod Press)
Sefer Doresh Tov LeAmo by Rabbi Mordechai Zvi Schwartz, London 1917
Rabbi Mordechai Zvi Schwartz (1883 - 1962) was born in Sirte (Szurte, Hungary) and came to London before the First World War. He was the Rabbi of the Mile End and Bow Federation Synagogue, and this book was published in 1917 and printed by the Narodiczky Press. I have a family connection. My great-grandfather, Marks … Continue reading Sefer Doresh Tov LeAmo by Rabbi Mordechai Zvi Schwartz, London 1917
The Law of Sinai and Its Appointed Times, by Moses Angel, London 1858.
Moses Angel (1819-1898) was the Headmaster of the Jews Free School, which was founded in London in 1732. He was born Angel Moses, one of the eleven children of Emanuel and Sarah Moses. He said that he was adopted at a young age by a non-Jewish gentleman, who appears to have paid for his education. … Continue reading The Law of Sinai and Its Appointed Times, by Moses Angel, London 1858.
Sefer Yad Yechezkiel, by Rabbi Yechezkiel Bornstein, London 1947
This book was written by Rabbi Yechezkiel Bornstein, the Rabbi of the Amhurst Park Synagogue in 1947, and printed by the Narodiczky Press in Whitechapel, London. (If you would like your own copy, the Mizrahi Bookstore in Brooklyn has one for sale here.) Rabbi Bornstein (sometimes spelled Borenstein), was born in Warsaw in 1901. He … Continue reading Sefer Yad Yechezkiel, by Rabbi Yechezkiel Bornstein, London 1947
Steimatzky’s Palestine Guide by Zev Vilnay, published in London and printed in Palestine, 1935 (first English edition)
This first edition of Steimatzky's Palestine Guide was published by George Philip and Son, London, but printed in Palestine by Azriel Press, Jerusalem. It is a comprehensive guide for the tourist of the 1930s to the British Mandate of Palestine. Zev Vilnay decribes the routes, towns and chronology. Dr. A Bonné writes the General Survey. … Continue reading Steimatzky’s Palestine Guide by Zev Vilnay, published in London and printed in Palestine, 1935 (first English edition)
Jewish Miscellanies 