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

Nesivos Chen by Rabbi Alter Noach HaKohen Michalensky, London 1899

Rabbi Michalensky was born in 1852 in Neschitz, near Kovel.  He was the first Chassidic Rebbe to settle in London, and according to Rabbi Harry Rabinowicz in his book "A World Apart" (the only source that I have found for information about him) was a colourful, fighting, enigmatic and erratic personality.  In 1870 he travelled … Continue reading Nesivos Chen by Rabbi Alter Noach HaKohen Michalensky, London 1899

Yalkut Zvi by Harris (Herschel Zvi) Gertler, London, 1954

Harris (Herschel Zvi) Gertler was born in Olkusz, Poland, in 1883 and died in London in 1972.  He was a pupil of the Sochatchover Rebbe.  He emigrated to London, England.  During the Second World War his house and business were destroyed by bombs, and he left London for a small village in the country for … Continue reading Yalkut Zvi by Harris (Herschel Zvi) Gertler, London, 1954

Address given on the occasion of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the New Synagogue by Rabbi Solomon Hirschell, 1837

This little booklet, in English, was issued on the occasion of the laying of the Foundation stone of the New Synagogue, in 1837.  The original New Synagogue, founded in 1757 in Great St. Helens, London, was rebuilt as a larger building.  This booklet records Chief Rabbi's Solomon Hirschell's speech as well as other details of … Continue reading Address given on the occasion of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the New Synagogue by Rabbi Solomon Hirschell, 1837

Palestina – The Chovevei Zion Quarterly, September 1897

Palestina was the journal of the Chovevei Zion (Lovers of Zion) Association.  This was formally founded in 1884 and was at one time a large, strong international movement, with branches called 'Tents' in major Jewish communities throughout Great Britain and Ireland.                 However, they gave only a reluctant … Continue reading Palestina – The Chovevei Zion Quarterly, September 1897

Order of Service at the Consecration of the New Kingsbury Synagogue, London, by Dayan Morris Swift on Sunday 8th September, 1968 – 15th Ellul, 5728

Kingsbury is a suburb of London on the opposite side of the Edgware Road from Hendon.  Jews started moving into Kingsbury in the 1930s, and the embryonic community, as yet without a building, formally joined the United Synagogue in 1936.  Eden Lodge, an early Victorian house, was acquired during the War and a first Synagogue … Continue reading Order of Service at the Consecration of the New Kingsbury Synagogue, London, by Dayan Morris Swift on Sunday 8th September, 1968 – 15th Ellul, 5728

Ohr Hayashar on Bereishis with Eulogies by Rabbi Shmuel Yitzchok Hillman, London 1927.

Rabbi Hillman was born in Kovno, Lithuania, in 1868 and came to Great Britain in 1908, when he was appointed a rabbi in Glasgow, Scotland.  In 1914 he was appointed a Dayan of the London Beth Din, serving until 1934, when he settled in Jerusalem.  He died in 1953. His son-in-law was Rabbi Isaac Herzog, … Continue reading Ohr Hayashar on Bereishis with Eulogies by Rabbi Shmuel Yitzchok Hillman, London 1927.

Imrei Yaakov by Rabbi Jacob Henech Cymerman, London 1944

This is the first of two books written by Rabbi Cymerman and published in London.  Rabbi Jacob Henoch Cymerman was a Ger Chosid - a Chassidic Follower of the Rabbis of Ger.  He was born in Serock, near Warsaw in 1883 or 1887 (sources vary), the son of Rabbi Yitzchok Mayer Cymerman.  He moved to … Continue reading Imrei Yaakov by Rabbi Jacob Henech Cymerman, London 1944

Prayer for the Success of the Four-Power Conference – 1955

This curious item is a printed prayer, printed in London and circulated by the Office of the Chief Rabbi, for the success of the Four-Power Conference at Geneva. it was to be read in synagogues after the prayer for the Queen and the Royal Family. The Four-Power Conference was a Cold War-era meeting in Geneva, … Continue reading Prayer for the Success of the Four-Power Conference – 1955

The Jewish National Home and Its Critics – Sir Alfred Mond and Chaim Weizmann, 1922

This is a small 24 page booklet in Yiddish, published by the Keren Hayesod Central Bureau from 75 Great Russell Street, London in 1922.  There was also an English version. The Keren Hayesod (Foundation Fund) had been founded in 1920 at the World Zionist Conference in London, and the pamphlet, recording the speeches of Sir … Continue reading The Jewish National Home and Its Critics – Sir Alfred Mond and Chaim Weizmann, 1922