I have a whole shelf of Jewish Year Books - they are still being issued each year today - but this one is the grand-daddy of them all, the Jewish Year Book for the first year, published in 1896. This was a revolutionary book, full of facts and contact information for the "Queen's Jewry", the … Continue reading The Jewish Year Book 5657, Joseph Jacobs, 1896, London
Zeman Zemanim Zemanehem attributed to Rabbi Jonah Rappa, edited by Rev. George Belasco of Ramsgate, London 1908
This book gives us an opportunity to introduce another largely forgotten Anglo-Jewish clergyman, George (Gershon) Simmons Belasco. The book itself, which George Belasco edited from a rare manuscript, is an Anti-Christian satire. The "Haggadah" of R. Jonah Rapa (c. 1380), is a vehement denunciation of the licentiousness indulged in by Gentiles during the carnival. It … Continue reading Zeman Zemanim Zemanehem attributed to Rabbi Jonah Rappa, edited by Rev. George Belasco of Ramsgate, London 1908
L’Lev Ami, To the Heart of My People, Part I, Rabbi Aaron Jacob Singer, London 1939
Rabbi Aaron Jacob Singer is another of the forgotten Rabbis of London. He was the Rabbi of the flagship synagogue of the Federation of Synagogues, the Philpot Street Great Synagogue, and yet gets one tiny passing mention in Geoffrey Alderman's "The Federation of Synagogues - A New History". But before we even start with Rabbi … Continue reading L’Lev Ami, To the Heart of My People, Part I, Rabbi Aaron Jacob Singer, London 1939
Nivat Nachum by Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Plotsk, published by his grandson, Israel Joseph Price, London 1886.
There is a little mystery to this book. I do not know anything about Rabbi Menachem Nachum other than what is written in this book and also that he has a brief mention in the Plotsk Yizkor book. he was a Dayan of Plotzk and Chief Rabbi in Friedeberg in Germany. The book was published … Continue reading Nivat Nachum by Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Plotsk, published by his grandson, Israel Joseph Price, London 1886.
Sefer Divrei Shalom, with Nesivos Yisroel, by Rabbi Leib Shalom Zinober and his son, Rabbi Israel Bernard Zinober, London 1952.
Rabbi Israel Boruch (Bernard) Zinober is rather forgotten today. In writing about his book, which was published posthumously in 1952 (there was a second volume in 1955), I will try to fill that gap. The book contains halachic discussions on various subjects written by his father, Rabbi Leib Shalom Zinober, who was the head of … Continue reading Sefer Divrei Shalom, with Nesivos Yisroel, by Rabbi Leib Shalom Zinober and his son, Rabbi Israel Bernard Zinober, London 1952.
Talmud Babli in Yiddish – Tractate Berakhos – Yaakov Meir Zalkind, London 1922
Yaakov Meir Zalkind, or Dr. Yankev-Meyer Zalkind was an orthodox Rabbi, an anarchist friend of Rudolf Rocker and a pacifist. He was born in Kobrin in 1875 and his family descended from generations of famous rabbis, including the Chochom Tzvi, Maharshal and Tosephes Yom Tov. He was educated at the Volozhin yeshiva, and then followed … Continue reading Talmud Babli in Yiddish – Tractate Berakhos – Yaakov Meir Zalkind, London 1922
Machzor leChag Hashavuos – The Form of Prayers for the Feast of Pentecost, London, 1807
This is the sixth and final volume of the second edition of the set of David Levi Machzorim, as revised by Isaac Levy. At the end, it includes the long and interesting subscription list of those who paid in advance for copies of the book, with their names and addresses. The prayer for the king … Continue reading Machzor leChag Hashavuos – The Form of Prayers for the Feast of Pentecost, London, 1807
The Jewish Year Book 1932, Rev. S. Levy – and the Federation of Synagogues
I bought this book in 1987 in the closing-down sale of the old Feldheim book store on East Broadway, New York. I have other copies of the Jewish Year Book, from the very first one in 1896, but this is one of the most useful. The earlier Jewish Year Books had plenty of information about … Continue reading The Jewish Year Book 1932, Rev. S. Levy – and the Federation of Synagogues
Shar Hatefillah VeSeder HaAvodah – Daily Prayer Book, London 1830 – copy of Alexander Levy
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
Geulas Yisroel by Rabbi Zevulun (Julius) Gould of Leeds, London 1939
Rabbi Chaim Yoel Zevulun Gould, often known as Rabbi Julius Gould, was born in the 1890s in Lithuania. He was educated at Telz Yeshiva, where he was a student of Rabbi Eliezer Gordon. Rabbi Gordon came to London to raise funds for the Yeshiva in 1910, where he suffered a fatal heart attack. He is … Continue reading Geulas Yisroel by Rabbi Zevulun (Julius) Gould of Leeds, London 1939
Jewish Miscellanies 