Sefer Shimushoh Shel Torah, by Rabbi David Feldmann, London, 1951.

Rabbi David Feldmann announced his intention to publish a book called Shimusha Shel Torah at the end of his annotated edition of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch in 1926. In the meantime, following the rise of Nazi Germany, he left his position in Leipzig and emigrated to England.  This book was not published until 1951, when … Continue reading Sefer Shimushoh Shel Torah, by Rabbi David Feldmann, London, 1951.

Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Cultural Ideal and Our Times, by Jakob Rosenheim, translated by Dr. I. E. Lichtigfeld, London, 1951.

There's a lot in this book - the subject, the author, the translator, the publisher and the printer. The subject, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-88) was a German rabbi and religious thinker. He was born in Hamburg where he received a general as well as a traditional Jewish education. His teacher in Hamburg was Isaac … Continue reading Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Cultural Ideal and Our Times, by Jakob Rosenheim, translated by Dr. I. E. Lichtigfeld, London, 1951.

The Alexandra Theatre, Stoke Newington Road, London – Yiddish theatre venue, Picture Post, October 16th, 1948.

This is a one page article from the magazine Picture Post, with photography by Felix H. Man. The Alexandra Theatre, at 65 and 67 Stoke Newington Road, opened on 27 December 1897 as 'The Alexander Theatre and Opera House'. It was an architecturally significant building and could seat at least 1,700 people. After changes of … Continue reading The Alexandra Theatre, Stoke Newington Road, London – Yiddish theatre venue, Picture Post, October 16th, 1948.

Hagahot Mesechos Chulin uKrisus, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dünner (J H Dünner) of Amsterdam, Frankfort on Main, 1900.

The author, Rabbi Joseph Hirsch Dünner, was born in Cracow, Poland, in 1833. He received semicha (his rabbinical degree) in his native city, and studied philosophy and Oriental philology at Bonn and Heidelberg. He received a PhD from the latter institution with a thesis on Abraham Ibn Ezra. In 1862 he was called from Bonn … Continue reading Hagahot Mesechos Chulin uKrisus, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dünner (J H Dünner) of Amsterdam, Frankfort on Main, 1900.

AJA Review, London, Spring 1976 including Dayan Grunfeld writing on Inflation.

I’ve written before about the Anglo-Jewish Association, which still exists, but is, perhaps, a relic of a bygone age. It was formed in 1871 with the aim of strengthening Anglo-Jewish life and as a charitable support for Jewish education in schools in the Middle East and the former British Empire. It was always a strong … Continue reading AJA Review, London, Spring 1976 including Dayan Grunfeld writing on Inflation.

Pischei Zitoh by Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Horowitz, with Shraga HaMeir by Rabbi Shraga Feivish Schneebalg, on Netilas Yodayim (Washing Hands), Tel Aviv, 1969.

This book was published by the author's great-grandson, Rabbi Shraga Feivish Schneebalg (known as Favish). Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Horowitz was born in 1858. He was the was the head of the Beis Din (Rabbinical Court) of Grosswardein in Romania. He died in Oradea, Roumania, in 1938.  A series of books containing his writing was published … Continue reading Pischei Zitoh by Rabbi Pinchas Chaim Horowitz, with Shraga HaMeir by Rabbi Shraga Feivish Schneebalg, on Netilas Yodayim (Washing Hands), Tel Aviv, 1969.

Nelson Street Synagogue, Membership List, London 1930.

The Nelson Street Synagogue was probably founded about 1913, and was closed by 1932.  This list of members, with eleven pages, seems to be a healthy number in 1930.  The reason for closing the synagogue in 1932 in unknown.  It was an affiliate of the Federation of Synagogues. The list, compiled by the Synagogue Secretary, … Continue reading Nelson Street Synagogue, Membership List, London 1930.

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.

Ohr Chadash by Rabbi Eleazar ben Eleazar Kallir with a printed letter from Hart Lyon, a British Chief Rabbi, Frankfurt, 1776.

This first edition of Chiddushim (Novellae) to the talmudic tractate Pesachim was printed in Frankfurt on the Oder in 1776.  The author's father, Eleazar, died before his son's birth in 1728, and Rabbi Eliazar ben Eliazar was given his father's name.  In 1759 he was appointed rabbi of Zabludow, and in 1768 rabbi and head … Continue reading Ohr Chadash by Rabbi Eleazar ben Eleazar Kallir with a printed letter from Hart Lyon, a British Chief Rabbi, Frankfurt, 1776.

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).