2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
Fascinating group of three letters / broadside and period news clippings. Should be recalled that the very first time Jewish chaplains ever appointed by the U.S. government for Army service was during the Civil War. After that era no other official Jewish Army chaplains were appointed until WWI (Jewish chaplains served not appointed in the Spanish-American War although Jewish services were held at some military camps and National Relief Commission did conduct services for Jewish personnel). This group includes: (1) typed single page letter Jan.13, 1909 by N. Behar on bold printed letterhead “FEDERATION OF JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS…NEW YORK” with names of all officers and board members. Addressed to L. E. Levy of Phila. acknowledging he was to be present at the convention of a National Conference of American Rabbis in Phila. and advising they have sent “the enclosed resolutions to members of Congress and we have received encouraging replies from our friends [names three]. One expresses surprise that such a measure had not been taken long ago. I will print this letter next to the article in the American Hebrew which says there is no hurry. The enclosed copy of a letter I addressed to Simon Wolf gives part of the arguments in support of this measure. Above all, it is a question of principle. HAD WE ONLY HALF A DOZEN JEWS UNDER THE FLAG, WE WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A CHAPLAIN, BUT THE NUMBER OF JEWS ENLISTED [IN THE ARMED FORCES] HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERABLE AND QUITE ABOVE PROPORTION. There is no doubt that our rabbis will exhibit the true spirit of patriotism by claiming for the Jew equal rights with other citizens.” Original bold penned signature of N. A. Behar (a prominent public figure in American Jewish Life, he expounded the idea the political organization should speak for American Jewry, and a founder of the Federation). In exc. + condition with a large patch in the upper left of light browning caused by the attachment of 3 newspaper articles which accompanies the letter (two from N.Y. “Sun,” the other in Yiddish from the “Jewish Daily News” regarding this same matter of appointing Jewish chaplains). (2) Two page (each blank on reverse) original typed copy of letter Behar mentioned sending to Simon Wolf (in just described letter of Jan. 17th). Entirely concerns appointing Jewish chaplains to U.S. Army: “…Protestant, Catholic soldiers and sailors have chaplains…no reason to deny this privilege to the Jew.” Discusses at length the necessity and urgency of situation and his own personal association with Jewish soldiers who “…were subjected to petty persecution, the word Sheenie coming very often…” Typed on a yellow copy paper (type that was used in that period) which is very brittle. First page exc. just normal aging; second page quite tattered on right margin and top corner has caused a few words at end of lines to be lost. (3) IMPORTANT PRINTED BROADSIDE; single sheet (blank reverse) on same printed letterhead of “Federation of Jewish Organizations” (as letter No. 1); in purple ink mimeographed as intended for wider circulation to all organizations and parties concerned that might be of assistance. Captioned: “RESOLUTIONS” it opens with mention of importance of “Religious influence upon the morals of our citizens [a necessity to]…maintain chaplains of various religious denominations to minister to the moral wants of soldiers and sailors in the U.S. Army and Navy…and at present time no chaplains [are] provided for such soldiers and sailors of the Jewish faith…BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE FEDERATION OF JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS PETITION Congress, the President and the Secretaries of War and Navy to establish the office of chaplain in the Army and Navy for the religious comfort and well being of Jewish citizens enlisted…and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to Congress, the President…[etc.].” Exc. This, too accompanied by original news clipping from “N.Y. Sun” Dec., 1908 headlined “ASK FOR JEWISH CHAPLAINS IN ARMY AND NAVY… RESOLUTIONS TO GO TO CONGRESS.” Accompanied by bio-sketches of Simon Wolf & Behar
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