This 200 year-old book is an example of Hebrew printing in London by a non-Jewish publisher and printer. It was edited and published by George Offor, a writer, book dealer and collector and scholar of Hebrew and other languages. George Offor was born in 1787, the Baptist son of a book dealer, also called George … Continue reading Sefer Tehilim – The Hebrew Psalter or Psalms of David, George Offor, London 1820
Author: Jewish Miscellanies
Jeffrey Maynard is an author and collector of Anglo-Jewish books and antique Judaica.
The London Board for Shechita 1804-1954 by Albert M. Hyamson, London 1954
This book is the story and history of the London Board for Shechita (Slaughtering of Kosher Meat). It is, in itself, a surprisingly interesting history book. However, the ephemera that have been preserved by being slipped into my copy provide the story of the occasion. One of the first steps taken when the Jewish Community … Continue reading The London Board for Shechita 1804-1954 by Albert M. Hyamson, London 1954
Mendelssohn’s Jerusalem, Vol I, A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Authority and Judaism by Moses Mendelssohn, translated from the German by Moses Samuels, London 1838.
Moses Samuel (occasionally Samuels) was born in London in 1795, and moved with his widowed mother to Liverpool in 1805. He was a scholar, a linguist and also established a business as a watchmaker and jeweler. Samuel studied the philosophy of Moses Mendelssohn, whom he called “the grand luminary of science and knowledge” and became … Continue reading Mendelssohn’s Jerusalem, Vol I, A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Authority and Judaism by Moses Mendelssohn, translated from the German by Moses Samuels, London 1838.
Armistice Day Prayer, Office of the Chief Rabbi, London 1923.
This folded sheet was published and distributed by the office of the Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, Rabbi Joseph Herman Hertz, in 1923. Rabbi Hertz had been elected Chief Rabbi in 1913. It is the prayer to be recited at the service of the Anniversary of Armistice Day (November 11th), which marked the end … Continue reading Armistice Day Prayer, Office of the Chief Rabbi, London 1923.
Hegyonei Avos By Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, London 1948
Rabbi Ferber was born in Slabodka, Kovno, Lithuania in about 1878. He emigrated to Britain in 1911 and from 1913 to his retirement in 1955 was the Rabbi of the West End Talmud Torah Synagogue in Soho. He was a prolific author and was renowned as a riveting orator who gave his sermons in Yiddish. … Continue reading Hegyonei Avos By Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, London 1948
Siddur im Revid Hazahav – Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick, London 1929
Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick was a controversial Rabbi, a Talmudic scholar, who emigrated from Russia to England, where he settled in the East End of London in 1913. If you want to learn more about this colourful, controversial and enigmatic, but brilliant Rabbi, you can read about him in Rabbi Harry Rabinowitz's book, "A World Apart". Rabbi … Continue reading Siddur im Revid Hazahav – Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick, London 1929
Machzor for Rosh Hashana – The Form of Prayers for the New Year according to the custom of the German and Polish Jews, David Levi, 1807
This is a Georgian Machzor, the second edition of the David Levi Machzor, printed posthumously in 1807. It was revised by Isaac Levi and has a bold portrait of Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschell as its frontispiece, that is actually dated 1808. It was printed by E. Justins press at 34 Brick Lane, Spitalfields. My copy … Continue reading Machzor for Rosh Hashana – The Form of Prayers for the New Year according to the custom of the German and Polish Jews, David Levi, 1807
Keter Shem Tob, by Haham Shem Tob Gaguine, Part III, 1948
Dayan Shem Tob Gaguine was born in 1884 in Jerusalem, and died in Manchester in 1953. He was a British Sephardi Rabbi and scion of a famous Moroccan rabbinical dynasty which emigrated to Palestine from Spain at the time of the Spanish Inquisition. He was appointed Chief Rabbi ('Haham') of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews … Continue reading Keter Shem Tob, by Haham Shem Tob Gaguine, Part III, 1948
The Manchester Great Synagogue, Cheetham Hill Road, 1858-1958, edited by H. R.Gouldman
This book is a nice history of the early Jewish community in Manchester and its Great Synagogue. It starts with messages and greetings from: Chief Rabbi Dr. Israel Brodie Rabbi Dr. Alexander Altman, the Communal Rabbi of Manchester and District Professor Rabbi Israel Abrahams, Chief Rabbi of the Cape, South Africa Isidore Sandler, President of … Continue reading The Manchester Great Synagogue, Cheetham Hill Road, 1858-1958, edited by H. R.Gouldman
Sermons and Addresses setting forth the Teachings and Spirit of Judaism (second series), Rabbi Professor Hermann Gollancz, London 1916.
Rabbi Doctor Hermann Gollancz was born in Bremen, Germany. He was the eldest son of Rabbi Samuel Marcus Gollancz, of the Hambro Synagogue in London. He was educated at Jews’ College and University College London. He graduated in Classics and philosophy in 1873 and was awarded his MA in Hebrew, Syriac and German in 1889. … Continue reading Sermons and Addresses setting forth the Teachings and Spirit of Judaism (second series), Rabbi Professor Hermann Gollancz, London 1916.
