Birur Halacha, on civil weddings, by Rabbi Tzvi Firsch Ferber, London, 1937.

This small book, on civil marriages and divorce in Jewish law, was published by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber of London and printed by Israel Narodiczky in 1937.  It has been reprinted, but this is the original first edition. In this book, Rabbi Ferber quotes the views of many batei din (rabbinical courts) and poskim (Jewish … Continue reading Birur Halacha, on civil weddings, by Rabbi Tzvi Firsch Ferber, London, 1937.

Imrei Yaakov, (Volume II) on Pirkei Avos, by Rabbi Yaakov Henech Cymerman, London 1955.

This is the second of two books written by Rabbi Cymerman and published in London. I have previously written about the first book, published in 1944, also called Imrei Yaakov, with Rabbi Cymerman's commentary on the Torah.  Rabbi Jacob Henoch Cymerman was a Ger Chosid – a Chassidic Follower of the Rabbis of Ger. He … Continue reading Imrei Yaakov, (Volume II) on Pirkei Avos, by Rabbi Yaakov Henech Cymerman, London 1955.

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.

Shetilei Zaytim by Rabbi Shimon Krausz, London, 1964.

This book is by an important Hungarian Rabbi, Shimon Krausz, who was born in Szerdahely in 1863.  He was the son of another prominent Hungarian Rabbi, Yaakov Koppel Krausz.  He married the daughter of Rabbi Menashe Gelb from Vylkove-Phila in 1889. From 1895 he served as Rabbi of Karlburg, from 1896, he was Rabbi in … Continue reading Shetilei Zaytim by Rabbi Shimon Krausz, London, 1964.

The Minutes of the Federation of Synagogues, 1887-1912, by Joseph E. Blank, London, 1912.

This book does not pretend to be a history of the Federation of Synagogues in London. It is what it says it is - extracts from the first 25 years of the minute books. On Sunday, 16th October 1887 a meeting took place at the Spital Square Synagogue, presided over by the Liberal Member of … Continue reading The Minutes of the Federation of Synagogues, 1887-1912, by Joseph E. Blank, London, 1912.

Order of Service at the Consecration of the West End Great Synagogue and Cultural Centre and Induction of Rabbi Maurice Lew, London, 1964.

This 40 page booklet is the record of an event that took place 60 years ago.  The West End Great Synagogue qt 21 Dean Street, Soho was the successor to the West End Talmud Torah and Bikkur Cholim Synagogue, which was at 14 Manette Street, off Charing Cross Road until 1941. It is an independent … Continue reading Order of Service at the Consecration of the West End Great Synagogue and Cultural Centre and Induction of Rabbi Maurice Lew, London, 1964.

Notting Hill Synagogue, Centenary of the Community, London 1997.

Although this is a modern booklet, I have included it for the historical record in my collection of Anglo-Judaica because the Notting Hill Synagogue, an Affiliate of the Federation of Synagogues, is now closed.

Willesden Synagogue Review, Chanucah 5707, London 1946.

The Willesden and Brondesbury Synagogue in London seems to have had quite a complicated origin, a near death experience and a miraculous modern rebirth.  Jews started to move into Willesden in Victorian times, but it was still countryside then, and the Willesden Jewish Cemetery opened in 1873.  With the coming of the railways, Willesden became … Continue reading Willesden Synagogue Review, Chanucah 5707, London 1946.

Kerem HaTzvi, by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, Vienna, 1920.

This is the first edition of the first part of Rabbi Ferber's seminal work,  and commentary on the Chumash (Pentateuch), Kerem HaTzvi, which he titled in English "The Vineyard of Beauty" - not the Vineyard of the Deer, as one might expect.  It is nicely bound but was only the first part - Bereishis (Genesis) … Continue reading Kerem HaTzvi, by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, Vienna, 1920.

Crumbs and Character, by Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung, New York 1942.

Leo Jung was born in 1892 in Moravia, the son of Rabbi Meir Tzvi Jung.  His father was appointed Chief Rabbi of the Federation of Synagogues in London in 1912. At the time the Federation was an orthodox rival to the more established and orthodox but English United Synagogue.  Rabbi Meir Tzvi Jung, also, incidentally, … Continue reading Crumbs and Character, by Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung, New York 1942.