Letter to Isaac Leeser;May 07, 1849 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter to Isaac Leeser;May 07, 1849

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Kingston

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 2 page(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Hebrew

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3jm2474n/manifest.json

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Fragment

Manuscript

content

Kingston Jamaica 7th May 5609.
My dear Sir
I avail myself of the present opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, and at the same time, to express my warm thanks for the kind sentiments which it breathes. Being aware how deeply at heart, I have the subject of our correspondence you need no assurance on my part, how earnestly I have taken into consideration the contents of your esteemed letter. I readily admit the desirability of being on the spot, wherever a situation should offer; but as you ? second my situation; I shall briefly and openly place you in possession of my position. The proceeds of my labor are far from being unremunerative, but having a family to maintain, I could ill spare the expense of travelling, without the matter being definitely settled before hand. I have no doubt of being able to obtain leave of absence from the Directors of the Hebrew National Institution, yet, this would but partly be of service, for I would, of necessity, have to relinquish many private pupils, the emoluments arising from whom are about $200 pr ann. This is the sole reason which renders my repairing so Cincinatti, im==practicable, otherwise, I would not fear the result. The fame remarks apply to any other situation, if my election be left to chance. I do not however, relinquish the hope of obtaining a clerical situation in the United States, as I can (if required) procure testimonials of the most satisfactory nature.
Since my last communication, I

have been elected Hebrew of the congregation Hebrew of Spanish town, so that I am de facto as this moment, one of the Jewish Clergy. I think it necessary, However to premise, that an understanding exists that I am thereby unfettered in accepting any other ministerial office. My object in responding to their call has been solely with the view of reorganizing the Congregation which, in a religious sense, has ceased to exist. The community are not in a position to compensate a minister, I am therefore compelled to retain my situation as master of the school in Kingston, and on occasions of Service, go to the Spanish Town by the Train the afternoon previous. You will therefore not fail to perceive that in this matter I have not been influenced by pecuniary gain. In what I have done, I have been actuated merely by a desire to promote the cause of our Holy Religion, and to remove the stigma from a body of Israelites, having two places of Worship, and neither open for the service of the God of Jacob. So far have I been successful. The taunting question can no longer be uttered? Hebrew. Under my superintendence a Sunday School is also about being established, as with scarcely an exception the younger branches of the community are ignorant of the very first principles of our faith, much less of our national Language. Thro' the instruction I have received from Hazan Lopes of our city (of whom you have perhaps heard) I am enabled to officiate in the Portuguese Minhag, but I should, nevertheless, prefer being attached as Minister to a German Congregation (Hebrew) in the United States, having had much more experience, and being perfectly an fait at the duties of the latter. I therefore, do not relinquish the desire of obtaining a situation as Hazan in America. May I rely on your continued good offices in forwarding my

views? In contending ? think me unmindful ? you have manifested towa? immediate opportunity of ? works, but should the ? in proving how fully ? me
they are indeed well ? well as the mechanic? as yet in procuring any? many whose names I could ? your losses in this report, ? however despair of obtain? placed, in fact, who wou? At Present, there is better? here. The Directors ? Institution) are P Lan? Alex. Aria Freas—L? L Alexander, D May? Abm Bravo, & M B He?
Town, are Abm. Judah Pre? Elias Sangueretti, George Ab? Melhado Hon Sec, & D D Soa? in the 1st night of Passover,? it not for the postage, I wo? on malaihe? 2nd (Hebrew)? will avail myself of the op?
remembered to you, and so? the assurance of my respect? B?

Identifier

LSDCBx1FF6_35