The Jacobs Affair – Statement by Chief Rabbi Dr. Israel Brodie, May 1964.

Sixty years ago, in 1964, the issue that shook and divided a large segment of Anglo-Jewry and  the middle-of-the-road orthodox United Synagogue was known as the Jacobs affair.  It pitted the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Israel Brodie, against the young and influential Rabbi and writer, Dr. Louis Jacobs, and it pitted the old, patrician leadership of … Continue reading The Jacobs Affair – Statement by Chief Rabbi Dr. Israel Brodie, May 1964.

The New West End Synagogue, London – Simchat Torah Service 1967, and Centenary Thanksgiving Service 1979.

Here are two interesting pieces of ephemera from the New West End Synagogue in St. Petersburgh Place, Bayswater. In 1967 Simchat Torah was advertised as a choral service, and the Choson Torah and Choson Bereishis (Bridegrooms of the Law - a ceremonial honour) were the Chazan (Cantor) Rev. Raphael Levy and his son, Mr. Elkan … Continue reading The New West End Synagogue, London – Simchat Torah Service 1967, and Centenary Thanksgiving Service 1979.

A Word In Season, by Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie, London, 1959.

Israel Brodie (1895 – 1979) was born in Newcastle and educated at Jews College, University College, London and Balliol College, Oxford.  From 1923 to 1937 he was Rabbi of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, Australia.  He was a Chaplain to His Majesties’ British forces in both World Wars.  In the Second World War he served in France … Continue reading A Word In Season, by Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie, London, 1959.

Order of Service for Israel Independence Day, edited by Moses Friedlander, published for Armin Krausz by Routledge and Kegan Paul, Ltd., London 1964

This book copies the traditional style of the blue 20th Century Adler Machzorim (Holiday Prayer Books), and has a similar binding.  It is interesting because it combines prayers and celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut with some British flavours.   My copy was owned, and is stamped by Rabbi Aaron Ben Zion Shurin. He was a native … Continue reading Order of Service for Israel Independence Day, edited by Moses Friedlander, published for Armin Krausz by Routledge and Kegan Paul, Ltd., London 1964

Order of Service at the Installation of Rabbi Israel Brodie as Chief Rabbi, New Synagogue, London, 1948

I am really not sure where I acquired this item, which is just an example of the ephemera sometimes acquired by a book collector. It is a printers proof of the Order of Service which was eventually distributed at the installation of Rabbi Israel Brodie on 28th June 1948. It is marked-up in pencil and … Continue reading Order of Service at the Installation of Rabbi Israel Brodie as Chief Rabbi, New Synagogue, London, 1948

Sefer Rav HaChovel by Rabbi Jacob Leib Davidson, London 1952

This is a book by another rather forgotten Rabbi, Jacob Leib Davidson, a long -time resident of South Tottenham.  Rabbi Davidson was born on 23rd July 1875, and died in London in 1960.  According to Rabbi Joseph Unterman (who was Rabbi of the South Tottenham Synagogue), writing his obituary in the Jewish Chronicle, he was … Continue reading Sefer Rav HaChovel by Rabbi Jacob Leib Davidson, London 1952