David Aaron De Sola was born in Amsterdam in 1796. In 1818, just 23 years old, he was appointed Assistant Hazan (Cantor) of the Bevis Marks Sephardic synagogue in London. The De Sola family had a long history and association with Bevis Marks, and his kinsman, Isaac De Sola was Hazan in London from 1690 … Continue reading Seder Brachos – The Blessings by D. A. De Sola, London, 1829.
Category: Liturgy
Order of Prayer and Thanksgiving for the safe delivery of Her Majesty the Queen of a Prince, London 1960.
This prayer was circulated by the office of the Chief Rabbi to be recited on Saturday 27th February, 1960 in all synagogues. (Prince Andrew was born on 19th February 1960). "Preserve the tender infant in all his ways. Grant him knowledge, understanding and insight, and teach him counsel, sound wisdom and godly fear."
Sefer Shir HaShirim im peirush chadash “Migdal Dovid” (The book Song of Songs with a new explanation “Tower of David”) by Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Sobel, London 1899.
This is another book, printed in London, by an almost forgotten Rabbi, Samuel David Sobel of Forshtadt. It is a commentary on Shir Hashirim. The printer was Eliahu Zev Wolf Rabbinovitz of 64, High Street, Whitechapel. I know very few biographical details about the author, other that he lived in Grodno, and came to London … Continue reading Sefer Shir HaShirim im peirush chadash “Migdal Dovid” (The book Song of Songs with a new explanation “Tower of David”) by Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Sobel, London 1899.
Kitzur Sefer HaChaim – The Handbook of Life, Chevra Kadisha of London, 1917 – Copy of the Roseman family of Plymouth.
This book consists of prayers and meditations for the sick and dying, together with the rites of purification and burial and the bylaws of the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society) of London. It includes the history of the Society, which was set up in London in 1895. The President of the Society was Herbert Bentwich, … Continue reading Kitzur Sefer HaChaim – The Handbook of Life, Chevra Kadisha of London, 1917 – Copy of the Roseman family of Plymouth.
Prayers and Meditations for Every Day of the Year, printed by Wertheimer, Lea and Co., London 1870 – from the Jews’ Hospital and Orphan Asylum, Lower Norwood.
This anonymous book is stamped by the Jews' Hospital and Orphan Asylum, Lower Norwood and has an inscription by the Headmaster, Reverend S, H, Harris, dated May 19th 1884 - 5644. The book itself consists of a series of biblical readings, for every day of the year, and also for the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, … Continue reading Prayers and Meditations for Every Day of the Year, printed by Wertheimer, Lea and Co., London 1870 – from the Jews’ Hospital and Orphan Asylum, Lower Norwood.
Inauguration of the Sabbath and Friday Evening Service by Rev. W. Stoloff, London, 1930.
Come on in to Hampstead Synagogue, Dennington Park Road. It is 1930, and here is the Friday night service, with Chazan and Choir. This book is by Rev. Wolf Stoloff. He was born in Shervint, near Kovno, Lithuania, and came to England in 1895. He married Ada Wolk in 1897 at the New West End … Continue reading Inauguration of the Sabbath and Friday Evening Service by Rev. W. Stoloff, London, 1930.
The Authorized Daily Prayer Book of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire, London 1898 (Parkhurst Prison copy).
This is a copy of the "Singer's Prayer Book", fifth edition, 1898. What makes this copy special is that it is stamped PKTP, which stands for Parkhurst Prison. Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight, began as a childrens hospital and prison in 1778. In the nineteenth century, inmates were transported to Australia and New Zealand. … Continue reading The Authorized Daily Prayer Book of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire, London 1898 (Parkhurst Prison copy).
The Jewish Sabbath, by Rabbi Joseph Apfel, Leeds, 1962.
This is a beautiful book in English, describing the laws, customs and songs sung on the Sabbath day by orthodox Jews, with notes that include sources and references for the customs. Rabbi Joseph Apfel came from Berlin and arrived in Leeds just before the war. In 1939, the position of First Reader at the Old … Continue reading The Jewish Sabbath, by Rabbi Joseph Apfel, Leeds, 1962.
Form of Prayers for the Day of Atonement according to the custom of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews, David Levi, London 5551 (1791).
I have a set of these Machzorim (Festival Prayer Books), in near mint condition, but sadly with no bookplate or information about who owned them. The translation, into fine 18th century English, demonstrates the skill of the erudite scholar, David Levi. The prayer for King George the Third and the Royal family, below, is particularly … Continue reading Form of Prayers for the Day of Atonement according to the custom of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews, David Levi, London 5551 (1791).
Manual of Neginoth by Rev. A Perlzweig, London 1912.
This little book was published by R. Mazin in 1912. Reverend Asher Perlzweig (1876-1942) was born in Kamenetz Podolsk in the Ukraine in about 1876. He studied composition in Vienna and in London under Dr. Prout. He was elected Chazan of Vine Court Synagogue in the East End of London in 1896. He became the … Continue reading Manual of Neginoth by Rev. A Perlzweig, London 1912.
Jewish Miscellanies 