Letter from Unknown Author to Almosnino, S. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1868
- Title
- Letter from Unknown Author to Almosnino, S. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1868
- Author
- Almosnino, S.
- Date Created
- 17 July 1868
- Format
- 2 pages on 1 sheet
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 1, Folder 27
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p39g5h035/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p39g5h035
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx1FF27_1.xml
- content
-
S. Almosnino Esqre
Phila July 17th 1868
Dear sir
A certain D. A. Cohen who resides in No 22 Little Abe[?] St, wrote to the late Revd Isaac Leeser, and since his decease to myself, in order that proper influence might be exercised to induce a man named Barnet Da Costa to divorce his wife, when he deserted after she bore him a son. I took interest in the case. I sought out the husband, heard from his [?] lips that he had abjured the ancestral religion to embrace Christianity, and having summoned him before the Ecclesiastical Board of which I am the secretary, obtained from him the promise that he would sever the connexion that bound an innocent woman to a guilty man. As the former belongs to the German Congregation, I wrote to Mr A D Cohen—after consulting with my colleagues—that he should inquire of Dr Adler, whether he would recognize a [Hebrew] received through the post-office when drawn according to the proper form (as I believe that in some extraordinary case as the present, such means had been employed and sanctioned by the authorities). The answer was unfavorable. Meanwhile a person named also Cohen was introduced to me, and stated that he had been deputed by Mr D. A Cohen of London to act as [Hebrew], and begged that for the sake of the woman, whose character was irreproachable, I should endeavour
to further the object of his mission. I received also communi-cations from New York to the same effect, but though I deem the request a legitimate one, and since which ought to enlists my [?]est sympathy, still, I cannot act in the premises, because I have reasons to fear that my exertions would avail nothing. Yet, my feelings will not permit me to abandon the case altogether; wherefore I resolved to—unofficially--seek of you, dear sir, some imperative as to the real character of the woman, and as to the opinion of Dr Artom[?] touching upon the subject. I was told that he acknowledges no man in America competent to officiate as Rabbi, and consequently will refuses to cognize a [Hebrew] preformed in this country. If it be so, then the wife of a wretched husband must for ever remain [Hebrew], and be if the refusal will not occasion some greater evil exposed to shocking temptations; but if, as I believe, he will judge us less unfavorably (I myself have never assumed the title of Rabbi) then, a meritorious deed may be performed, and we will all have been instrumental in effecting it.
I occasionally hear through Mr Henry Nathan your tidings and those of the amiable Mrs A. Present my kindest regards to Mrs Abrams and remembrances to Mrs Lindo and daughters, the Myers Ben [?], Mr Azuelo and all inquiring friends, and believe me yours
unabated [?]
very truly and respectfully
a a - Identifier
- p39g5h035
- identifier
- SMBx1FF27_1
Part of Letter from Unknown Author to Almosnino, S. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1868
Almosnino, S., “Letter from Unknown Author to Almosnino, S. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1868”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/90432