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 →

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. →

Order of Prayer for the Memorial Service for King George VI, at the New West End Synagogue, 15th February 1952.

This little item speaks for itself.  The Hesped - Memorial Address - was given by Dayan Grunfeld. Note the Hebrew version of Kayl Shmor Malkosaynu - God Save the Queen - at the end.

Laws of the Society for relieving the Poor on the Initiation of Their Children into the Holy Covenant of Abraham, reprinted 1886.

This little booklet was published by the Initiation Society, which was founded in 1745.  The Society set out rules for its mohelim and provided relief for the poor.                 More Laws follow here, followed by a list of subscribers and their addresses, which is scanned in full below:

Purim or The Feast of Esther by N. S. Doniach, 1933

Although this book was published by the Jewish Publication Society of America, it belongs in an Anglo-Judaica collection because of its author, and also because my copy is a piece of Anglo-Jewish ephemera. Nakdimon Shabbethay Doniach was a scholar of Hebrew and Semitic languages, lexicographer, linguist, and British civil servant. he was born in London … Continue reading Purim or The Feast of Esther by N. S. Doniach, 1933 →