This is an interesting Siddur with historic family inscriptions (for which, read below). It was printed in London in 1830, in Hebrew with an English translation. Older siddurim are less common than Machzorim and this one has wear on the correct pages - at one time it was well used. It is well bound in … Continue reading Shar Hatefillah VeSeder HaAvodah – Daily Prayer Book, London 1830 – copy of Alexander Levy
Category: London
Sade Yitzchok by Dayan Yitzchok Rudnick, London 1960.
Rabbi Yitzchok Mordecai Rudnick (as he was when he wrote this book - he became a Dayan of the Federation of Synagogues Beth Din later) was the Rabbi of the Cannon Street Road Synagogue in the East End of London. He was born in Lithuania, studied at the Slobodka Yeshiva and then was a founding … Continue reading Sade Yitzchok by Dayan Yitzchok Rudnick, London 1960.
Dayan Gollop’s copy of A Book of Jewish Thoughts by the Chief Rabbi, Dr. H. H. Hertz, London, 1941.
The Chief Rabbi, Dr. J. H. Hertz's little book of Jewish Thoughts is ubiquitous and has gone through many editions with ten of thousands of copies printed. I am always amused when I see copies on ebay at fancy prices, as if it was rare. However, my copy is unique. It belonged to Dayan Mark … Continue reading Dayan Gollop’s copy of A Book of Jewish Thoughts by the Chief Rabbi, Dr. H. H. Hertz, London, 1941.
Central Synagogue, Nineteenth Annual Report, 1908.
In the nineteenth century the wealthier Jews started to move out of the East End of London to the more fashionable West End. In 1848 the Central Synagogue was established as a 'branch' of the Great Synagogue in the City of London for those for whom the walk to the Great Synagogue was too far. … Continue reading Central Synagogue, Nineteenth Annual Report, 1908.
Yad Pinchas on Hadranim of the Talmud, Rabbi Pinchas Yaakov Gerber, London, 1929.
This is a nice book. Not just the content, but the quality. The paper is higher quality than expected for 1929, the blue leather spine and binding have a certain class, and it comes as a surprise that it was printed at the press of the Yiddish newspaper, Di Zeit. The content is also of … Continue reading Yad Pinchas on Hadranim of the Talmud, Rabbi Pinchas Yaakov Gerber, London, 1929.
Hampstead Synagogue, Tenth Annual Report, 1901-1902.
Those who have read my post on the Hammersmith Synagogue will find the Hampstead Synagogue familiar. Read on to find out why. During the 1880s the Jewish population of Hampstead began to increase. The push to build a new Synagogue in the West Hampstead area was lead by Herbert Bentwich. On May 30th 1889, Bentwich … Continue reading Hampstead Synagogue, Tenth Annual Report, 1901-1902.
The History of the Hammersmith Synagogue, Michael Adler, London 1950
This book was originally intended to be published in 1940, the Jubilee of the Hammersmith Synagogue, but war intervened, and it was not published until 1950, by which time its author, Reverend Michael Adler had passed away. Michael Adler was born in 1868 and educated at Jews College. He is remembered today chiefly as the … Continue reading The History of the Hammersmith Synagogue, Michael Adler, London 1950
Sefer Tanchuma bar Yitzchak by Rabbi Theodore Ostroff, Jerusalem, 1928
Rabbi Theodore (Tanchum) Ostroff was born in Bausk Latvia, according to the history books, but in Kovno, according to his declaration of naturalization for British citizenship. He was a Talmudic scholar who came to London in 1901. His son, known as Rabbi Alexander Astor, educated at the Guildhall School of Music, Etz Chaim Yeshiva and … Continue reading Sefer Tanchuma bar Yitzchak by Rabbi Theodore Ostroff, Jerusalem, 1928
With the Jewish Brigade by Benjamin Caspar, London 1947
This little book was written by Reverend Benjamin Caspar, who was the Senior Chaplain to the Jewish Infantry Brigade of the British Army in the Second World War. The Jewish Infantry Brigade Group was formed at a comparatively late date in the Second World War, but it completed training in time to take part in … Continue reading With the Jewish Brigade by Benjamin Caspar, London 1947
Brondesbury Synagogue Semi-Jubilee Celebration Record, compiled by Dayan Harris Lazarus, 1930.
This little book was printed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Brondesbury Synagogue in 1905. It explains that as Jews moved to the rapidly growing districts of Brondesbury and Willesden Green at the close of the nineteenth century, a new synagogue was needed. The two nearest synagogues, St. John's Wood and … Continue reading Brondesbury Synagogue Semi-Jubilee Celebration Record, compiled by Dayan Harris Lazarus, 1930.
Jewish Miscellanies 