This book was written by Rabbi Abraham Aaron Yudelovich. He and his son, Rabbi Chaim (Hyman) Meir Marim Yudelovich are often thought of as American Rabbis, but are also two largely forgotten Rabbis who were important rabbinical leaders in England.
Rabbi Abraham Aaron Yudelovich lived in England for about twenty years. He was the first rabbi of the Newcastle Beth Hamedrash in the 1890s, and was a rabbi in Manchester from 1898 to 1912. His son, Rabbi Hyman Yudelovich, was the founding rabbi of the Southend and Westcliff Hebrew congregation from about 1902 to 1913.
Rabbi Avraham Aaron Yudelovich was born in Novardok in 1850. His mother was the sister of Rabbi Meir Morris of Kobrin, a descendent of Maharam Padua – Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen. He was educated in the yeshiva of Volozhin and by his uncle Rabbi Meir Morris. He received his semicha (rabbinical diploma) from Rabbi Yomtov Lipman, head of the rabbinical court of Bialystock. In the year 1873 he started to serve as a rabbi in a number of communities in Russia and then was appointed Rav in Manchester, England, and after that New York and then, by 1912, in Bayonne, New Jersey. He wrote a book of Shu”t (questions and answers), Beis Av on the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch, and a book of sermons, Tapuchei Zahav, and a number of other books. He then became the rabbi of the Eldridge Street synagogue on the Lower East Side of New York. He died in 1930.
Rabbi Chaim Meir Marim Yudelovich, the son of Rabbi Abraham Aaron Yudelovich, was born in Seliv according to his entry in Anashei Shem, and Grodno from other sources. He was educated by his father, and in the year 1899 became Rabbi of the Strangeways Synagogue, Manchester, England. He then became the founding Rabbi of the Southend and Westcliff Hebrew Congregation.
On 30th October, 1898, a meeting of the newly formed Religious Association was held at the New Synagogue Chambers in Manchester. Rabbi A. Yudelovich spoke with Mr. J. Massel. Mr. N. Shaffer thanked Rabbi Yudelovich for his public spirit in proposing the formation of a class for religious instruction. The class had obtained 40 additional members, making a total of 70. (JC 4/11/1898)
On Motzei Shabbos, 21st January 1899, the annual general meeting of the members of the New Synagogue and Beth Hamedrash was held. After the meeting the members of the Executive Committee adjourned to the home of Rabbi A. Yudelovich for the purpose of meeting the Rav and his family on the occasion of their removal into their new residence. On 22nd January, Rabbi A. Yudelovich delivered a Hesped on Rabbi Jeshajah Wohlgemuth, who was for over forty years Rav at Memel, and eighteen years at Hamburg, and on Rabbi Yonasan, Rav at Volkawisck. (JC 27/1/1899)
On 26th February 1899, Rabbi Abraham Yudelovich spoke at t he Siyum Hagodil in the New Synagogue and Beth Hamedrash, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. This was the 18th Siyum Hagodil of the Chevra Mishnayoth which had been established in Manchester for 28 years. (JC 3/3/1899).
At the end of April, 1899, the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Hermann Adler visited Manchester to give a Shabbos morning sermon at the New Synagogue and Beth Hamedrash, Cheetham Hill. Rabbi Yudelovitch spoke at the Kiddush afterwards. (JC 28/4/1899)
On June 30th 1901, Rabbi Yudelovitch spoke at the consecration at Urmiston of the new Mortuary House attached to the cemetery of the Manchester Burial Society of Polish Jews. (JC 5/7/1901)
There was a service held at the School rooms, Milton Road, Southend by Mr. S. Shmith assisted by Rev. H. Yudelovitch and Mr. C. Goldby. (JC October 17, 1902.
The consecration of the synagogue in Alexandra Road, Westcliff was held on Sunday May 19th, 1912. It was consecrated by Dayan Hyamson, Rev. Emanuel Spero and Rev Hyman Yudelovitch. The Mayor, Councillor Hubbard spoke. He had one recent incident which brought the Jews close to his heart. His wife started a fund for the Titanic disaster and one of the gentlemen who did the best service in connection with a matinée organized for the benefit of her fund was the Minister, the Rev. Mr. Yudelocitch. (JC May 24, 1912)
There was a farewell meeting of the Southend and Westcliff Congregation to Rev. H. Yudelovitch, who was leaving for the United States with his family. When Mr. Yudelovitch came there were only 14 Jewish families, and in twelve years that had increased to 150 members. Rev. Yudelovich was going to Boston. (JC 7/2/1913)
In America, Rabbi Chaim Yudelovich changed his surname to Yood. He died in 1931 and is buried in Bayside cemetery, New York.
There are actually two books bound together. The first consists of sermons and the second is on the book of Esther.
