Israel Brodie (1895 – 1979) was born in Newcastle and educated at Jews College, University College, London and Balliol College, Oxford. From 1923 to 1937 he was Rabbi of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, Australia. He was a Chaplain to His Majesties’ British forces in both World Wars. In the Second World War he served in France … Continue reading A Word In Season, by Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie, London, 1959.
Month: January 2022
Pilpula shel Torah, by Rabbi Nachman Shlomo Greenspan, London (Poland), 1935.
Rabbi Nachman Shlomo Greenspan was born in the village of Liakhovichi (Lachavitch), near Minsk, in 1878 and studied under the greatest rabbis, including the Sfas Emes – Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk and the Ridvaz, as well as learning under and with the Avnei Nezer; Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik; the Rogatchover Gaon; the Chofetz Chaim; and … Continue reading Pilpula shel Torah, by Rabbi Nachman Shlomo Greenspan, London (Poland), 1935.
Techiyas Yisroel by Rabbi Israel Jacob Yoffey, Manchester 1927.
Rabbi Israel Jacob Yoffey was born in Wilkowitz (Ukmerge) in Lithuania in 1874. His father-in-law Rabbi Joseph Yoffey had immigrated to England in 1893 and was appointed Rabbi of the Central Synagogue in Manchester. Rabbi Joseph Yoffey died in 1897 and Rabbi Israel Jacob Yoffey succeeded him at the young age of 23. he founded … Continue reading Techiyas Yisroel by Rabbi Israel Jacob Yoffey, Manchester 1927.
Bloom’s – The Most Famous Kosher Restaurant in Great Britain.
This is a special piece of nostalgia from my library. Bloom's in Golders Green was my late father's place to go when he wanted to take the family out to dinner. The rude, friendly waiter who had been there for years and years. The enormous portions of excellent food. And Bloom's in Whitechapel was the … Continue reading Bloom’s – The Most Famous Kosher Restaurant in Great Britain.
What was Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber of London reading? Sefer Ohr Hatzvi by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Barlas, Lublin, 1875.
My copy of this book has very worn covers. It has been well read and has little scraps of paper as bookmarks. It is stamped a number of times with the stamp of its previous owner, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber. Rabbi Ferber was born in Kovno in 1879. He was a renowned Torah and Talmudic … Continue reading What was Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber of London reading? Sefer Ohr Hatzvi by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Barlas, Lublin, 1875.
Ingathering, by Rabbi Jacob Schachter (of Belfast), Jerusalem, 1966.
Rabbi Jacob Schachter was born in Rumania in 1886. His father, Rabbi Abraham Schachter, the son of Yehuda Leib, was born in Dorban in Serbia in 1853. Rabbi Abraham Schachter was Rabbi of Prumushike, Batashan (Botosani) in Rumania. Rabbi Jacob received Semicha (his rabbinical diploma) in 1911, and from 1913 to 1920 was Rabbi at … Continue reading Ingathering, by Rabbi Jacob Schachter (of Belfast), Jerusalem, 1966.
Sefer Lashon Zahav, by British Chief Rabbi David Tevele Schiff, Offenbach, 1822.
Sefer Lashon Zahav was written by Rabbi David Tevele HaKohen Schiff. It gets its title because the values of the Hebrew letters in both the word Zahav and the name David add up to fourteen. Rabbi David Tevele Schiff served as Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of London … Continue reading Sefer Lashon Zahav, by British Chief Rabbi David Tevele Schiff, Offenbach, 1822.
Sefer Mate Moshe, by Rabbi Moses of Premeslo, edited by Rabbi Mordechai Knoblowicz of Hendon Adath Yisroel, London, 1958.
This is a solid volume of Rabbinic Laws, first published at the end of the sixteenth century. It was edited by Rabbi Mordecai Chanoch Knoblowicz, who was the Rabbi of the Hendon Adath in Brent Street. The Hendon Adath Yisroel Synagogue was started in 1938, and in 1940 Rabbi Knoblowicz became the Rav until his … Continue reading Sefer Mate Moshe, by Rabbi Moses of Premeslo, edited by Rabbi Mordechai Knoblowicz of Hendon Adath Yisroel, London, 1958.
A Book of Jewish Thoughts by Chief Rabbi Dr. J. H. Hertz, Cairo, 1943.
I've previously written about another copy of this book: Dayan Gollop's copy of a Book of Jewish Thoughts. However, this one is a different and scarce edition. Rabbi Hertz's book was originally written for distribution to Jewish soldiers serving in the British forces in the First World War. It was handed out to countless Jewish … Continue reading A Book of Jewish Thoughts by Chief Rabbi Dr. J. H. Hertz, Cairo, 1943.
Begilufin – Fergangene Welten – Past Worlds about Chassidim and Folklore, by Rabbi Yehoshua Szpetman, London 1951.
This is a very readable (if you read Yiddish) book by Rabbi Joshua (Shiya) Szpetman (pronounced Shpetman). He was a native of Lublin, in Poland, who had already been a Rosh Yeshiva (Head of a Rabbinical Academy) when he emigrated to London on the 1930s. He was the "red rabbi", writer, author, orator, and preacher, … Continue reading Begilufin – Fergangene Welten – Past Worlds about Chassidim and Folklore, by Rabbi Yehoshua Szpetman, London 1951.
Jewish Miscellanies 