Letter from the Board of Delegates of American Israelites, Office of the Executive Committee

Title: Letter from the Board of Delegates of American Israelites, Office of the Executive Committee
Author: Office of the Executive Committee Board of Delegates of American Israelites | Henry I. Hart | Isaac Leeser | Alexander S. Saroni | Myer S. (Myer Samuel) Isaacs
Date Created: 10 December 1861
Location(s): New York City; Philadelphia
Format: Print. 1 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).
Type: Print
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3b854425/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3b854425
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Typescript
Is Part Of: The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material
content: Board of Delegates of American Israelites,
Office of the Executive Committee,
New York, December 10th, 5622-1861.
The Executive Committee have addressed a Memorial to Congress, respectfully asking an amendment to certain Acts passed at its last session, providing that “the Chaplain, appointed by the vote of the field officers and company commanders, must be a regular ordained min-ister of some Christian denomination.” A letter from the War department, in answer to the application of the Rev. Dr. Fischel to be ap-pointed to a Regional Chaplaincy, refers to the restrictions imposed by said Acts, as an impediment to its favorable consideration.
Had the Committee limited themselves to the performance of the duty of entering the protest of the Israelites of the United States against enactments which may be construed into a precedent for future discriminative legislation, the trust reposed in them would have been but partially discharged. To remonstrate against grievances, and passively await the slow progress of Congressional action for their redress, may suffice, when an abstract principle alone is involved. A consideration of the circumstances has actuated them to adopt practical measures to meet the emergency, which, they feel confident, will secure the general and unqualified approval of the public, and receive the generous support which is needful for the accomplishment of the humane and benevolent purposes they have in view.
It is well-known that there are several thousand Israelites serving with the Armies in the field, representing every state and every Euro-pean nationality; and a decision has been arrived at, to adopt prompt and adequate measures that our co-religionists may not continue desti-tute of the comforts and consolations which the Government has beneficently provided our fellow-citizens of “every Christian denomi-nation,” so that the sufferings of the enfeebled or wounded Israelites may be assuaged by the soothing and consolatory services it is the especial province of a minister of religion to dispense.
The duties of the Chaplain commence in the Camp, where the religious observances and moral restraints maintained in peaceful commu-nities, are wisely introduced, and contribute to the discipline and well-being of the Army. Thence, they are extended to the Hospitel, where the benevolent efforts of the minister are blended with the skill of the medical professor. As the associate of the physician, the surgeon, and the nurse, the Chaplain attends the bedside of the wounded, as well as that equally numerous class of patients, stricken with diseases en-gendered by the fatigues and privations incident to a campaign,—whispering consolation and hope to the sufferer, inspiring the fortitude and re-signation, calming the fevered brain, tranquilizing the mind, advancing the period of convalescence, pr preparing the spirit for the hour when it is to take its flight from its mortal tenement.
The Committee, having conferred with the Rev. Dr. Arnold Fischel, have engaged him to undertake the spiritual charge of our co-religionists in the Hospitals in the “Military Department of the Potomac;” and are happy to announce that Dr. Fischel is already at his post and, having obtained permission to visit the Camps and the Hospitals extending from Alexandria to Darnestown, has entered upon the discharge of his duties.
As soon as adequate funds are placed at the disposal of the Committee, further steps will be taken to promote the welfare of Jewish soldiers, and to provide Chaplains for other Military Departments.
You will, therefore, eminently contribute to the cause of humanity, by forwarding your subscription, which will be duly acknowledged, to either of the undersigned:
HENRY I. HART. President, 369 Broadway, New York.
ISAAC LEESER, Vice-President, Philadelphia, Pa.
ALEXANDER S. SARONI, Treasurer, Boston, Mass.
MYER S. ISAACS, Secretary, 119 West Houston St., New York.
Identifier: LSTCAT_item124
Date: 1861-12-10

Part of Letter from the Board of Delegates of American Israelites, Office of the Executive Committee

Office of the Executive Committee Board of Delegates of American Israelites | Henry I. Hart | Isaac Leeser | Alexander S. Saroni | Myer S. (Myer Samuel) Isaacs, “Letter from the Board of Delegates of American Israelites, Office of the Executive Committee”, 1861-12-10, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/66089