Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;November 02, 1860

Title: Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;November 02, 1860
Author: M. Mayer
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 2 November 1860
Location(s): New York City; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).; Letter
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3028q03v/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3028q03v
Physical Characteristics: Lined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: N York, Nov 2. 5621/1860.
Dear Sir—
Inclosed the continuation of the “Declaration of Independence.” I thought the portion sent to you at first, was enough for two weeks, as I wish to spin out the publication till Chanukah.
Your correspondent “Counsellor” deals in contemptible duplicity. He says: “Rev. Dr Fishel &c &c.” (page 189, col. 3) What is the truth? 104 votes were cast, of these F. received 53, that is to say, he was reelected by a majority of two votes. If he had yet one spark of pride and principle left in him, he would have respectfully declined; but no, even because half of the congregation do not want him, he will take their money and they must listen to him, or he will receive their insult offered to him by their leaving the Syna-

gogue when he ascends the pulpit. Be-sides, he has been reelected only for one year. Oh! He is a man of principle & character. Counsel your correspondent counsellor to be more candid & truth-ful in future.
Why have you not a word of censure for the attempted vandalism of Dr Sachs of Berlin? To me, that man is henceforth more hateful & obnoxious than even Cardinal Antonelli. Why have you not yet said a word about the fanatic acts of the Orthodox of Amster-dam. Yet, you scold, because “rich Re-formers” will not suffer themselves to be brow-beaten into hypocrisy by ortho-dox fanatics & hypocrites. I am open with you: I sometimes get perplexed in my respect for the Orthodox; for withholding truth borders very closely upon uttering untruth!”
I was not present at the Banquet; but I know that the “rich reformers” re-

mained uncovered during “Benschen”, which awful sacrilegious act did not present the Hospital from making $14.000 by the operation.
By the bye; The Keneseth Israel of Philadelphia of begged me again after ? to become their minister, but I declined again. No doubt, this my seeming hardheartedness induced them to accompany the two silver goblets which they sent me with rather stiff & cold resolutions, and to do the thing so very privately!! “?!”
There is general dissatisfaction among the Portuguese; this Synagogue is a complete failure; they think already of abandoning it. The “rich reformers” will build a “Temple” that will throw all Synagogues here into darkness. Concerning the Norfolk Street Synagogue, I can say: Put it down as a Re-form concern; Dr Gruenebaum will manage it; he comes out in his true

having been elected as Reformer; and let me tell you into a secret: a third, American-Reform-Congregati-on will soon spring into existence!!
God speed it Hebrew
Yours, as ever,
M Mayer
Please send me one or two more copies of the paper containing the “Declaration of Indep.” as I wish to send one to Stein.
Identifier: LSDCBx2FF7_35
Date: 1860-11-02

Part of Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;November 02, 1860

M. Mayer, “Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;November 02, 1860”, 1860-11-02, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/66192