This book was written by Rabbi Yechezkiel Bornstein, the Rabbi of the Amhurst Park Synagogue in 1947, and printed by the Narodiczky Press in Whitechapel, London. (If you would like your own copy, the Mizrahi Bookstore in Brooklyn has one for sale here.) Rabbi Bornstein (sometimes spelled Borenstein), was born in Warsaw in 1901. He … Continue reading Sefer Yad Yechezkiel, by Rabbi Yechezkiel Bornstein, London 1947
Steimatzky’s Palestine Guide by Zev Vilnay, published in London and printed in Palestine, 1935 (first English edition)
This first edition of Steimatzky's Palestine Guide was published by George Philip and Son, London, but printed in Palestine by Azriel Press, Jerusalem. It is a comprehensive guide for the tourist of the 1930s to the British Mandate of Palestine. Zev Vilnay decribes the routes, towns and chronology. Dr. A Bonné writes the General Survey. … Continue reading Steimatzky’s Palestine Guide by Zev Vilnay, published in London and printed in Palestine, 1935 (first English edition)
Machzor for Pesach (Form of Prayers for the Feast of Passover), by Alexander Alexander, London 1807.
Alexander Alexander was a pioneer of Hebrew printing in London, producing books with English translations from 1771, starting with an ashkenazi prayer book in Hebrew with English translation. His great rival was the "erudite hatmaker" David Levi, also producing books during the same period. This book was one of a set of a new edition … Continue reading Machzor for Pesach (Form of Prayers for the Feast of Passover), by Alexander Alexander, London 1807.
The Voice of Jacob, the first Anglo-Jewish Newspaper, edited by Jacob Franklin, London, founded September 1841. (This volume 1845-1846).
The first Jewish newspaper in England was not the Jewish Chronicle - it was the Voice of Jacob, founded by Jacob Franklin (1809–1877), a traditional Orthodox Jew from a prominent family with connections to the Anglo-Jewish elite. He established the Voice of Jacob in order to address the low level of Jewish knowledge and observance … Continue reading The Voice of Jacob, the first Anglo-Jewish Newspaper, edited by Jacob Franklin, London, founded September 1841. (This volume 1845-1846).
Selichos Mikol Hashanah – one of the first Hebrew books printed in England by a Jewish printer – London, 1770
This is one of the first books printed by a Jewish printer in London. It is the Selichos (penitential prayers) for the High-Holydays and Fast Days, according to the custom of the Jewish communities of Poland, Hungary and Moravia, יצ״ו which is the abbreviation for yevarchem tzurenu veyishmerem - "may (God) our stronghold bless them … Continue reading Selichos Mikol Hashanah – one of the first Hebrew books printed in England by a Jewish printer – London, 1770
Sefer HaChaim – The Book of Life by Reverend B. H. Ascher, London 1847
Rabbi Benjamin Henry (Binyomin Chaim) Ascher was born in Posen in 1812 and emigrated to London in 1840. He was the 'Kabbronim' Rabbi the funeral Rabbi of the Great Synagogue in Dukes Place, London. His job was to visit the sick and dying and to attend funerals and comfort the bereaved. he was the first … Continue reading Sefer HaChaim – The Book of Life by Reverend B. H. Ascher, London 1847
Seder Brit Avraham by Rabbi Aryeh Leib Shapira, London 1908
This is an early book printed in 1908 by Israel Narodiczky in Whitechapel, London. (Number 64 in Moshe Sanders book of Narodiczky publications.) It is an unusual, mystical work of prayer based on the covenant between God and the Patriarch Abraham by Rabbi Aryeh Leib ben Jacob Shapiro (Spiro?). I have tried to research who … Continue reading Seder Brit Avraham by Rabbi Aryeh Leib Shapira, London 1908
Lord Kitchener and his work in Palestine, by Dr. Samuel Daiches, London 1915.
This book has interesting associations. It was published in 1915 and is a lecture given by Dr. Samuel Daiches to the Jews College Union Society in London on February 7th, 1915. Field Marshall Lord Herbert Kitchener was the British Secretary of State for War and was the creator of the largest volunteer army that Britain had … Continue reading Lord Kitchener and his work in Palestine, by Dr. Samuel Daiches, London 1915.
Seder Tephila VeTachnunim – A Service of Prayer and Intercession on behalf of the sufferers from the renewed attack on religion and human freedom, London 1938.
This little booklet was published by the Office of the Chief Rabbi for the fast of 17th Tammuz, on Sunday 17th July, 1938. On this day, this services took place in many British synagogues. In the historic Great Synagogue in Dukes Place in the City of London (founded in 1790 and due to be destroyed … Continue reading Seder Tephila VeTachnunim – A Service of Prayer and Intercession on behalf of the sufferers from the renewed attack on religion and human freedom, London 1938.
Sefer Tehilim – The Hebrew Psalter or Psalms of David, George Offor, London 1820
This 200 year-old book is an example of Hebrew printing in London by a non-Jewish publisher and printer. It was edited and published by George Offor, a writer, book dealer and collector and scholar of Hebrew and other languages. George Offor was born in 1787, the Baptist son of a book dealer, also called George … Continue reading Sefer Tehilim – The Hebrew Psalter or Psalms of David, George Offor, London 1820
Jewish Miscellanies 