Print, 1868 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Print, 1868

Author

Rosa Moredcai

Date Created

4 February 1868

Location(s)

Philadelphia

Format

Print. 5 page(s) on 5 sheet(s).

Letter

Type

Print

Physical Characteristics

Typescript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

(Copy)
The Rev. Isaac Leeser who died in this City last Saturday, Feb. 1st 1868, was a native of Germany. At the age of nineteen he left that country for America, taking up his residence with an Uncle in Richmond, Va.- Those qualities which afterwards made him so dis-tinguished, his thorough knowledge of the Hebrew Language and its Literature together with his native eloquence, soon attracted the attention of the leading Israelites in that City.- When in 1830, by the death of the Rev Mr Keyes, the Congregation of Michvah Israel of Phila, were in want of a Reader, he was persuaded though not 22 to accept the Office.- He held this responsible position many years, until an unfortunate misunderstanding caused him to resign in 1850 taking an affecting leave of his congregation on the second day of the Feast of Tabernacles.-
In 1855 he organized a second Portugese Synagogue in Phila, Franklin St near Green, and continued its active Minister until within a few months of his death, when failing health compelled him to seek for a time a warmer climate.- He returned March 1867 and as far as rapidly increasing disease would permit, continued to dis-charge his manifold duties, till Death released his body from suffer-ing and gave his Soul to the Eternal Home of this Heavenly Father.-
As a contribution to Jewish literature Mr. Leeser leaves a blank which it is almost impossible to fill. He made a careful translation of the Hebrew Prayer Book, which had gone though many editions, and is universally used by Israelites in all parts of the United States.- In 1856 he published a translation of the Holy Scriptures, upon which he had been long engaged.- He was the founder and until the day of his death, the only editor of the Occident

- 2 -
the first Jewish Periodical published in this country.- He was ever anxious to promote Education and encourage the Young. He promoted the “Jewish Miscellany” in which many of Miss Aguilar's writings first appeared, and assisted the Hebrew Sunday School of Phila, from which so many have been formed, and for which he wrote several text books, one on the “Commandments” being his last publication.- To his untiring efforts are mainly due the “Educational Society” the “Maimonides College” and the “Jewish Hospital”. He was an active member of every society for the relief and improvement of his fellow Israelites.
He was the first Jewish minister in this country who intro-duced an English discourse as part of the weekly service in the Synagogue and of late years, his sermons, delivered without notes, seemed at times like Inspiration and can never be forgotten by those who listened to his soul thrilling words of encouragement in the performance of duties in this World, with the bright promise of reward in the Future State.- Many of these Sermons were delivered at the Dedication of Synagogues in all parts of the Country which were organized mainly by his influence, and an all flourishing and spreading Orthodox Jewdaism throughout the Land, the most grateful tribute to his memory.-
Mr. Leeser never married, so that his name dies with him, but his memory will long be cherished by every follower of his Holy Faith, and particularly by his many personal friends who will listen in vain for his voice in the familiar services, and will not know where to seek for that information and assistance he was ever both

- 3 -
able and willing to impart.-
His funeral which took place to-day was largely attended.- His request was to be buried without other ceremonies than those used for any private individual of his Faith.-
Give him of the fruit of his hands, and let his own works praise him in the gates.
Rosa Mordecai. Philadelphia.-
Tuesday. Feb 4th 1868.

LEESER BY ADLER 1.
- 4 -
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The fullest biographical account is that of Rabbi Henry Englander, Isaac Leeser in the Year Book, Volume XXVIII (1918) The Central Conference of American Rabbis. The Occident, Volume XXV, Number 12, contains an excellent obituary notice, while the resolutions enacted on his death, in the same number, give a good indication of his varied interests. There is an article in the Jewish Encyclopedia, by Mayer Sulzberger. Eminent Israelites of the 19th Century, by H.S. Morais, pp. 196-201. Panegyric on the Life, Character and Services of Isaac Leeser, by Moses A. Dropsie. (1868).

Leeser Adler 2.
- 5 -
He translated Schwartz's Geography of Palestine and with Dr. Jaquet saw through Lippincott's press an edition of the Hebrew Bible.
Jewish Encyclopedia
The Occident Vol. XXV No. 12, pp. 593-601 - 606 — 621; Vol. X No. 1, pp. 21-37
Central Conference of American Rabbis Year Book Volume XXVIII 1918. p. 42 Article by Henry Englander
Panegyric on the Life, Character and Services of Isaac Leeser. By Moses A. Dropsie. Philadelphia 1868.
Letters of Rebecca? Gratz, edited by Philipson, p. 108 (for the Occident Vol. XXVI No. 9)
Vol. 30 Pub. Am. J. Hist. Soc. A. S. W. Rosenbach
The fullest account is that of Rabbi Henry Englander Isaac Leeser. In the Yearbook Volume XXVIII 1918 The Central Conference of American Rabbis -
The Occident Vol. XXV No. 12 contains an excellent obituary.
Article in the Jewish Encyclopedia.
On February 8, 1868 Dr. Morais delivered a sermon in memory of Isaac Leeser, printed in the Philadelphia Inquirer on February 13, 1868, and to be found on page 35 of the Morais letter book.
Page 9 Morais letter book, written at the foot of a clipping in Dr. Morais' handwriting:
“Isaac Lesser took exception to this lecture and became abusive.”

Identifier

LSDCBx3FF3_9

Date

1868-02-04