Here (if you read Yiddish), are some things to say at your Seder table. This is another little book by Rabbi Joshua Szpetman, known by his diminutive name “Shiya”. Rabbi Szpetman was a native of Lublin, who had already been a Rosh Yeshiva (Head of a Rabbinical Academy) in Poland when he emigrated to London. … Continue reading Pesach, Lag BeOmer, Shavuos, by Rabbi Shiya Szpetman, Yiddish, London 1955.
Month: March 2022
Joint Celebration of Anniversaries, London, March 1931.
Almost exactly 91 years ago there was great cause for celebration amongst the establishment of the Anglo-Jewish orthodox community in London. It was the 75th Anniversary of Jews College, the 70th Anniversary of the Jewish Religious Education Board, and the 60th Anniversary of the United Synagogue. These events were celebrated by a Joint Anniversary Service, … Continue reading Joint Celebration of Anniversaries, London, March 1931.
Do You Know Yourself by Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick, London 1927.
This is a book in English, on psychology, by the controversial Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick, the self-titled Chief Rabbi of the Rabbinical Association. As I have written before, Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick was like Marmite – you either loved him or hated him. He came to London in 1913 and settled in the East End, where he … Continue reading Do You Know Yourself by Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick, London 1927.
Chut HaShani, by Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach, Frankfurt on Main, 1679.
This is another book from my antique Hebrew book collection - nothing to do with Anglo-Jewry. Rabbi Yair Chayim Bacharach was a major and important rabbi of the 17th century. He is sometimes referred to as the Chavos Yair, after the title of his book Chavos Yair - but that is a later work than … Continue reading Chut HaShani, by Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach, Frankfurt on Main, 1679.
Order of Service on the occasion of the Consecration of the new building of The Bayswater Jewish Schools, London, 1930.
This is a typical example of a printed United Synagogue Order of Service. The Bayswater Synagogue was in Chichester Place, near Harrow Road, London, and was founded in the newly fashionable neighbourhood of Bayswater in 1862. Please click here to read the history of he Bayswater Synagogue. It was the first synagogue in London to … Continue reading Order of Service on the occasion of the Consecration of the new building of The Bayswater Jewish Schools, London, 1930.
Irish Jewish Year Book 5745 (1984-1985), Dublin.
This is a relatively modern item, but it is a useful picture of the Irish Jewish community as it was in 1985, when Rabbi David Rosen was finishing a short term as the Chief Rabbi of Ireland and Editor of the Year Book (He is one of the sons of the late Rabbi Kopul Rosen … Continue reading Irish Jewish Year Book 5745 (1984-1985), Dublin.
The Historie of the Holy Warre, Second edition, Thomas Fuller, London, 1640.
I bought this many years ago from a book dealer in Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York. I don't know how it ended up there, as its provenance (as we shall see) is Hertfordshire, England. My copy also has a map. often missing from other copies, which is of interest, as well as a nicely engraved … Continue reading The Historie of the Holy Warre, Second edition, Thomas Fuller, London, 1640.
Second Report of the Joint Emergency Committee for Jewish Religious Education in Great Britain, London, 1942.
Currently, when children flee from bombing in wartime, they are called refugees. In Great Britain, at the start of the Second World War, they were called evacuees. Between 1939 and 1945, there was a great effort by the Anglo-Jewish establishment to provide Jewish religious education for both children evacuated from big cities, and also refugee … Continue reading Second Report of the Joint Emergency Committee for Jewish Religious Education in Great Britain, London, 1942.
Hendon Synagogue Magazine, Hendon, London, October 1959.
Old Shul (Synagogue) magazines and publications are a bit scarce - people do not keep them. Hendon Synagogue was founded in the late 1920s, and had its first building at 128 Brent Street from 1928 to 1935. The current building was opened in 1935 in Raleigh Close, Hendon, and is now known as Hendon United … Continue reading Hendon Synagogue Magazine, Hendon, London, October 1959.
The Gates of Zion (Quarterly Magazine of the Synagogue Council of the Zionist Federation (UK), January 1951.
This was a quarterly magazine, and the first three short articles reproduced below are interesting reading. The editorial, "Accursed Germany" demonstrates the raw depth of feeling about the German murderers in January 1951. There is a good article by the Rev. J. K. Goldbloom about Rabbi Jehuda Hai Alkalai. I have a copy of his … Continue reading The Gates of Zion (Quarterly Magazine of the Synagogue Council of the Zionist Federation (UK), January 1951.
Jewish Miscellanies 