Letter from H. Loewenthal to Isaac Leeser;August 17, 1860
- Title
- Letter from H. Loewenthal to Isaac Leeser;August 17, 1860
- Author
- H. Loewenthal
- Contributor
- Isaac Leeser
- Date Created
- 17 August 1860
- Format
- Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).
- Type
- Letter
- Language(s)
- English
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3fj29j1p/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3fj29j1p
- Physical Characteristics
- Unlined Paper
- Manuscript
- content
-
Macan Ga August 17th 5620
Revd I Leeser
Phila.
Revd & Dr Sir:—-
Not to be accused of unfriendliness & in=diffrence that induces one to write of the position of my congren as well as that of my humble self—& may this be peraraphrased: The congregation of Israel in Macan have the most un=becoming & unsuitable (for there is no light in it) place of worship I ever met with. In its walls we meet Hebrew but must wait an hour at least ? a Hebrew is obtained— a then I must read off the prayers &c without spirit of devotion or instruction. Thus far with the Syn. The Dietary Laws are not observed by the majority—yet send poultry to the Hebrew to be killed! The school, that I opened with so much pride & vigour will soon be closed for want patronage. I had an examination on Passover last held in the Syn. & on Sunday after noon & yet th most of the parents of those children
were absent—a splendid taste for education! & on which occasion every thing passed off so satsifactorily! In the Syn. I am ruled ex-tremely severe. My Salary is never paid punctually nor in a becoming manner. This Besides this, will they lose several members who were the chief payers (there are several who tho' subscribed yet decline payment) on account of their departure from here within 2 months. Under these unpleasant circumstances, what remains for me to do, but seek for a removal? My reasons are these: 1st Since my sojourn here which being now above six months, not a single individual member of said congren hath been visiting me or mine. 2d, Their very understandable disposition & utter indifference. 3d, Having been twice grossly insulted during divine service in the Syn & in the presence of ? &c, & not the least was done to the guilty-party whose, if I had said that party it would have had an acrid odour for the whole community of Israel—& I acquiesced! 4th I cannot get my salary from them-consequently I am obliged to take every thing on credit—-
5th Inadequacy of my income to support myself & mine respectfully—& this will & must be lessened on account of those imigrants. 6th & last, but not least I feel desirous to be useful—towards good—& nothing good can accrue from Macon Israelites owing their evil practices—unjewish &c! How can their children (who already laugh from their parents hipocrisy) become good & intelligent Israelites, if they poison the very seed we import by reason of their bad habits? I ?!
Appologising for not sending you a sweeter & a better communication, o how happy would I consider myself if I were Hebrew! I feel also grieved on account of my inability to make some remittance to you, especially now when you made an effort! But the Lord knows my heart & mind is full of good intentions & daily pray for its fulfilment; so that when the hour of our emancipation from earthly-troubles will come, we may then have the consciousness of having done our duty as becomes an honest & upright man is the sincere wish of
Revd & Dear Sir
yours in faith
H Loewenthal
P.S. I shall be exceedingly glad to hear from you HL
N.B. The “Occident” has not been in Macon this week H L - Identifier
- LSKAP0018
- Date
- 1860-08-17
Part of Letter from H. Loewenthal to Isaac Leeser;August 17, 1860
H. Loewenthal, “Letter from H. Loewenthal to Isaac Leeser;August 17, 1860”, 1860-08-17, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/65827