This book belonged to Rabbi Yaakov Ben Zion Mendelsohn, another of Britain's slightly forgotten rabbis. He was a well-known and respected scholar, Talmudist and pulpit rabbi. His original name was Rabbi Yaakov Ben Zion Morein and he was born in Kreitzburg (Latvian Krustpils), in the Vitebsk district of Russia. He changed his name to Mendelsohn … Continue reading Ma’amar Ha’achdut by Yosef Yavetz, 1862 – Rabbi Yaakov Ben Zion Mendelsohn’s copy.
Category: Leeds
Jewish National Fund for Great Britain & Ireland, Report 5699, London 1939.
This report, covering the year ended 30th September 1939, provides a picture of the JNF at the beginning of the Second World War. There is great concern over the Jews of Poland, a community of three and a half million Jews. Where can they go? Only in Palestine can they find a home. The Jewish … Continue reading Jewish National Fund for Great Britain & Ireland, Report 5699, London 1939.
Bais Yisroel by Rabbi Hirsch Turetzky of Glasgow, printed in Leeds.
I do not know much about Rabbi Turetzky, sometimes spelled Turetsky. He is another of Britain's forgotten rabbis. There were other Rabbis called Turetzky, and they are probably part of the same family, but I have not been able to connect them and would appreciate information. All I really know is that he was a … Continue reading Bais Yisroel by Rabbi Hirsch Turetzky of Glasgow, printed in Leeds.
The Sixteenth Annual Report of the Anglo-Jewish Association, London, 1886-1887 – Provincial and British Empire branches.
This is the second part of a post about this snapshot of Queen Victoria's more established Jewish families at the time of the Golden Jubilee in 1887. The first part, which includes the lists of London members is here. What follows are scans of lists of members from Ballarat in Australia to West Hartlepool. They … Continue reading The Sixteenth Annual Report of the Anglo-Jewish Association, London, 1886-1887 – Provincial and British Empire branches.
Metsudah (Fortress), Essays and Studies edited by Simon Rawidowicz, London, February 1943.
Simon Rawidowicz was the editor of Yalkut, from 1940 the monthly Hebrew supplement of the Zionist Review in London. This literary review was an attempt to rekindle hopes of a Hebrew revival from London at a time when the Nazis had swept away the revival in most of Europe. However, in February 1943 this was … Continue reading Metsudah (Fortress), Essays and Studies edited by Simon Rawidowicz, London, February 1943.
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.
Moses by Achad Ha-Am, translated from Hebrew to English by Leon Simon, London 1917.
This is another early Zionist pamphlet, originally written in Hebrew in 1904 and translated into English by Leon Simon. It was published in 1917, the year of the Balfour Declaration, by "The Zionist" in London (but printed in Leeds). Achad Ha-Am, which means 'one of the people' was the pen name of Asher Zvi Hirsch … Continue reading Moses by Achad Ha-Am, translated from Hebrew to English by Leon Simon, London 1917.
The Jewish Year Book, London 1950 – Synagogues and Communal Organizations in Leeds.
In going through my collection of Jewish books, I like to highlight an extract from each one. For 1950 I have chosen the Jewish community of Leeds, England. I have written about quite a number of books printed in Leeds, mostly at the press of Joseph Porton, and about several major Rabbonim (Rabbis) who led … Continue reading The Jewish Year Book, London 1950 – Synagogues and Communal Organizations in Leeds.
The Well of Purification by Rabbi Hirsh Hurwitz of the Federation of Synagogues, Leeds, England, 1921 – 5681.
This is quite a scarce little book that is not listed in Cecil Roth's bibliography and seems to be only listed in four libraries worldwide. It was printed in Leeds, a hundred years ago, in 1921, by S. Tunick. It is a discourse on the place of mikveh in the Jewish ritual, with some essential … Continue reading The Well of Purification by Rabbi Hirsh Hurwitz of the Federation of Synagogues, Leeds, England, 1921 – 5681.
Derashos Mahariach, by Rabbi Yisroel Chayim Daiches, Leeds 1920.
This is a folio sized book, printed in Leeds by Joseph Porton. It consists of the sermons and writings of Rabbi Israel Chayim Daiches, who was Rabbi in Leeds, England and whose children included Rabbi Dr. Salis (Betzalel) Daiches, the Rabbi of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Rabbi Dr. Samuel Daiches, who, after serving as rabbi in … Continue reading Derashos Mahariach, by Rabbi Yisroel Chayim Daiches, Leeds 1920.
Jewish Miscellanies 