History Of Hanukkah

St. Louis among communities featured in new book on American Jewish life

Saul H. Landa of East Brunswick, N. J., is a Jewish mother’s dream: he is both a rabbi and a dentist! He has also been a superb photographer of Jewish subjects for over 35 years, and he bring those talents to the fore in his just-published, handsome coffee table book, “A Timeless People: Photo Albums of American Jewish Life” (Geffen Publishing House, $50).

Landa’s book does not pretend to be a comprehensive work of scholarship on the American Jewish community and its history. In “A Timeless People,” Landa gives full credit to such Jewish historians as the late Dr. Walter H. Ehrlich, whose “Zion in the Valley” remains the definitive two-volume history of the Jewish community of St. Louis, and interviews local Jewish historian Donald Makovsky, who wrote the first monograph on Joseph Philipson, the first known Jew to arrive in St. Louis back in 1807.

Instead of traveling over the same terrain as traditional Jewish historians, Landa shares his beautiful photographs and colorful anecdotes on 18 select Jewish communities in America—including St. Louis. The photographs, both vintage and recent provide a vivid portrait of the 18 representative communities.

The chapter on St. Louis, which is introduced by a serene photograph of the Gateway Arch, notes how the city became the home of the first synagogues west of the Mississippi, with the founding of United Hebrew Congregation in 1837 and B’nai El in 1855. The material included in the chapter on St. Louis gives a full history of the local Orthodox community and includes rare photographs of Rabbi Hyim Fischel Epstein, the first Chief Orthodox Rabbi of St. Louis and Rabbi Menachem Zvi Eichenstein, who served for many years in that position. There is also a discussion of Rabbi Bernard Illowy of United Hebrew Congregation, who became the first rabbi to serve a pulpit in St. Louis.

We also learn, during this 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, that by the outbreak of the conflict in 1861, there were only 5,000 Jews living in St. Louis (compared to the 60,000 today). “Only one was known to have owned slaves,” writes Landa. He adds, “A Jew from St. Louis, August Bondi, was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery in the United States,” and joined other abolitionists in joining with John Brown, who raided Harper’s Ferry.

In each of the communities covered in his lavishly illustrated book, Landa surveys several specific institutions, mainly synagogues and day schools, but also such attractions as the Jewish museums in Milwaukee and Philadelphia, and discusses the Jewish newspaper that serves the greater Denver community, The Intermountain Jewish News, whose editor, Rabbi Hillel Goldberg, is interviewed in the book.

A brief history associated with Hanukkah « 51-info.com

Hanukkah is definitely a particular month or year for several Jewish people around the globe. It really is considered one of his or her most significant activities throughout every season. Yet what exactly is Hanukkah? And exactly how do men and women commemorate the idea?

Hanukkah, furthermore typed Chanukah, is widely known inside 12, usually the first 7 days. It drops about the Twenty fifth day’s Kislev, based on Hebrew calendars. The particular festivity is a complete 8 days and also times and celebrates a miracle in which took place sometime ago in ancient times.

Throughout Judea in One hundred sixty five B . c ., the particular Judaism individuals were becoming persecuted. These folks were advised that they couldn’t praise as they happy along with had been needing to throw in the towel his or her rituals and stop exercising their own Judaism trust. Your Greeks experienced bought that nobody should be permitted to praise publicly within the Jewish belief program. The actual Jews refused to bow right down to this particular order, so fighting ensued.

After a period regarding combating, the Jews finally won in the Ancient greek language armies. That they began a tremendous tidy up work, such as Holy Forehead that had been damaged inside war many years. Most of their own treasures ended up ripped off or ransacked. Their holy Menorah, any candlepower unit, was to end up being relit, however when it arrived time and energy to relight this, there is only sufficient extra virgin olive oil for starters nighttime. These people lit that and interceded. Amazingly, the actual menorah burned up for the full ten nights.

The entire Hanukkah get together centres round the wonder of lamps and also supply. Jews today light Menorahs every night with the festival to remember the traditional celebration in the Almost holy Forehead. Each night, one luminous made of wax will be lit and also benefits are usually recited regarding this.

Menorahs are an integral part of the christmas picture each December. The actual dreidel, the four-sided top made from wood and coloured, can be another form associated with Hanukkah. This really is today a gadget, yet it’s steeped in wealthy historical past. Jewish men would gather you just read the sacred Torah, even though it ended up being not allowed. In case military contacted, the guys would certainly speedily hide the particular Torah and bring your dreidels rather. It appears that these folks were merely actively playing a game title. This might help save his or her lifestyles.

The Nitty-Gritty Baseline Quiddity Collection of Dave Wolske

Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah, Crafts, Recipes, Games, Puzzles, Songs, and More for a Joyous Celebration of the Festival of Lights

Cincinnati Magazine

There Really Is a Santa Claus - History of Saint Nicholas & Christmas Holiday Traditions

God-optional Judaism, alternatives for cultural Jews who love their history, heritage, and community