2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
Beautifully penned 4 page letter to Isaac Leeser from Albany, August 19, 1850. The unknown writer takes issue with Leeser about an article in his “Occident” that he felt disparaged Isaac Wise. He opens: “The moment your Occident came to hand I intended to write…as an answer against the unjust charges and your commentary towards Dr. Wise, but several causes and my limited knowledge of English and Hebrew prevented me to do so. As my respect towards you and Wise are so great that I feel myself at present unable to do justice to both and the subject itself. But the earnest zeal with which I am interested in the cause of Judaism and the love of truth make it my duty to give you an impartial statement of things as they are…and the rest I leave entirely to your judgment to make use of it or not. …The Occident is not in my hands at the moment and I can only allude to it by recollection. Your [opinion] of Wise and his congregation shows the whole matter differently from what it is when you read what follows.” The writer proceeds to recount the events and incidents that took place to cause the commotion, commencing with a description of a “Mr. Spanier” who he describes as “not even very scrupelous [sic] in keeping the ten commandments. The congregation here is like all the American [ones] composed of Jews of so many different tribes as there are states in unhappy Germany and consequently the ignorance of so many…through the exertions of Dr. Wise they have been kept together [with] some sense united” [which he follows with analogies]. He characterizes background of Dr. Wise and respect he received in his earlier position at Charleston, S.C.; also a conflict with Spanier who evidently was displaced by Wise on that same pulpit. It appears the writer had a position as Hebrew school teacher, mentioning that for 3 years the fruits of his labors in teaching the children “…will fall to pieces, the children whom I have educated will cease to be what they are now. The seeds of true Judaism which I have planted in their hearts will be in vain [which] makes it my duty to remain.” …After which he castigates Spanier again as “…an agent of the [?] society…convinced as the Parnass was that all the decent members, one and all are friends of order and of Dr. Wise, he now appears as father of the poor, namely there were about 40 who were partly not able, partly unwilling to contribute their yearly contributions and were therefore by law not allowed to vote, Mr. Spanier addressed the meeting in heart rending language on behalf of them and they were released from their debts and allowed to partake in all the privileges with the other members. Before long some of the Spaniards in connection with four grog shopkeepers who are naturally opposed to Wise’s doctrines, who denounced drinking and gambling in the boldest manner came out with a complaint. If you, my friend, would only read the document you would be obliged not only to laugh at the folly but to condemn our Parnass forever. The principal complaints are [he describes confusion and misunderstanding in reading the documents presented by Spainer that they had been asked to sign…obviously without understanding it]. …The only foothold the Parnass could make was upon a trustee who is in opposition to Dr. Wise…[and a confrontation and argument followed, during which] the president, hearing the vengeance of the offended bearers in the synagogue, left it, followed by six of his worthy companions.” Further describing the uproar: “the Parnass [Spanier] had three witnesses who God alone knows their hearts ! Swore to this ! Amongst them was our misguided Chasen…when asked is it customary with Jews to abuse their ministers in such a manner [a witness] answered Yes Sir ! we do not care about our minister we just as well abuse them as not…” Letter is incomplete; it ends further on that page with continued condemnation of the terrible action and the chaos obviously taking place. Last page with signature is lacking (speculated to have been Isaac Mayer who in that general era was rabbi at Rochester, N.Y.). In mid page 3 he may have run out of ink and had to change for another pen and ink as ink color changes. Normal aging; exc. + condition; last page only some fading, all readable; shows wear. A fascinating insight into the great turbulence then taking place in that Albany congregation…as well as the turbulent beginnings of the phenomenal career of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise !...............................
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