1945 was a big year for Rabbi Yaacov Kopul Rosen. He published this book, printed by the Narodiczky Press in Whitechapel. It was actually his Master of Arts dissertation from the University of Manchester. And, at the age of just 31 he became the Principal Rabbi of the Federation of Synagogues. Kopul ("Cyril") Rosen was … Continue reading Rabbi Israel Salanter and the Musar Movement by Rabbi Kopul Rosen, London, 1945.
Category: Synagogues
Herbert Bentwich the Pilgrim Father, by Margery and Norman Bentwich, Jerusalem 1940. (Hampstead and St John’s Wood Synagogues and Chovavei Zion)
This book, printed in Jerusalem, is a biography of the British Zionist and Jewish activist, Herbert Bentwich. It has interesting vignettes of late Victorian middle-class London Jewry. Herbert Bentwich was born at 56 Church Lane, Whitechapel on May 11th 1856. His father came from Peiser in Russian Poland. His mother, Rose, came from an old … Continue reading Herbert Bentwich the Pilgrim Father, by Margery and Norman Bentwich, Jerusalem 1940. (Hampstead and St John’s Wood Synagogues and Chovavei Zion)
Commemorative Brochure of the Fifteenth Siyyum of the Halukat HaMishnah, Hendon Adath Yisroel Synagogue, London, 1964
This is an interesting booklet commemorating an event that was held on Sunday, July 5th 1964, in association with the yahrzeit of the Shaages Arieh, Rabbi Arieh Leib ben Asher Gunzberg, at the Hendon Adath Synagogue in Brent Street, Hendon. The guest of honour was Rabbi Leib Gurwicz, the Rosh Yeshivah of Gateshead. There are … Continue reading Commemorative Brochure of the Fifteenth Siyyum of the Halukat HaMishnah, Hendon Adath Yisroel Synagogue, London, 1964
Shvil HaTzvi, by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, London 1936
Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber was born in Kovno in 1879. He was a renowned Torah and Talmudic scholar who emigrated to Manchester, England in 1911 and then in 1913 became the Rabbi and leader of the West End Talmud Torah Synagogue (Kehilas Yeshurun) in Soho, London. Much has been written about him, including his memoirs … Continue reading Shvil HaTzvi, by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, London 1936
The Biala Rebbe’s copy of Moreh Nebuchim – the Guide for the Perplexed, by the Rambam (Maimonides), Warsaw 1872
This is a copy of Moreh Nebuchim, which means Guide for the Perplexed, that was printed in Warsaw by Isaac Goldman in 1872. Moreh Nebuchim is a work of philosophy, written by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as Maimonides or the Rambam. It is divided into three parts and this edition has four commentaries. My … Continue reading The Biala Rebbe’s copy of Moreh Nebuchim – the Guide for the Perplexed, by the Rambam (Maimonides), Warsaw 1872
Jewish Chronicle 1894 – Bayswater Synagogue Installs Electric Light
This is a bound volume of the Jewish Chronicle for the year 1894. The format is a little different to the Jewish Chronicle of today. The paper is better than modern newsprint and has stood up well to time. The first thing that is noticeable is that there are no photographs. Apart from the occasional … Continue reading Jewish Chronicle 1894 – Bayswater Synagogue Installs Electric Light
The Jewish Year Book 5663 (1902-1903), Isidore Harris. The London Synagogues.
This is another copy of the Jewish Year book - this time for 1902-3. It is the seventh issue, and much expanded from the 1896 first issue that I wrote about here. It is a printed snapshot of the Anglo-Jewish community in 1902, and like the other Jewish Year Books has too much information to … Continue reading The Jewish Year Book 5663 (1902-1903), Isidore Harris. The London Synagogues.
History of the Great Synagogue, London, 1640-1940, Cecil Roth. London 1950.
This is one of those classic books that any Anglo-Jewish library has to have. The Great Synagogue was the cathedral synagogue - the mother synagogue of British Ashkenazi Jewry. It was known as "Duke's Place" after the street where it was situated. It had 250 years of history. It was the place where my great-grandparents, … Continue reading History of the Great Synagogue, London, 1640-1940, Cecil Roth. London 1950.
Cigarette Card – Rev. Louis Levy Shaposnick of the Great Garden Street Synagogue, Churchmans Cigarettes, 1938
This is, I think, the smallest item in my library. In 1938 W. A. and A. C. Churchman issued a set of cigarette cards, entitled 'In Town Tonight' with a series of London personalities. Rev. Louis Shaposnick (1909 - 1982) was probably the only rabbi to ever be depicted on a cigarette card. Here he … Continue reading Cigarette Card – Rev. Louis Levy Shaposnick of the Great Garden Street Synagogue, Churchmans Cigarettes, 1938
Diukno shel Yaakov by Rabbi Lewis (Yehuda Leib) Levene, circa 1929, and the Jubilee Street Great Zionist Synagogue
Rabbi Lewis Levene was Rabbi of the Jubilee Street Great Zionist Synagogue in the East End of London. He published this book of sermons and eulogies in approximately 1929. My copy has his address of 52 Heneage Street, Brick Lane crossed out and handwritten as 83 the Avenue, London N.W.6. The Jubilee Street Synagogue opened … Continue reading Diukno shel Yaakov by Rabbi Lewis (Yehuda Leib) Levene, circa 1929, and the Jubilee Street Great Zionist Synagogue
Jewish Miscellanies 