He seems to have rubbed a lot of his congregants the wrong way !

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006

Neatly penned single page (7 ½ x 10) letter with an autograph signature of RABBI A. L. MAYER; to Isaac Leeser. From his newly acquired position leading the Jewish congregation at “Syracuse N.Y. Dec. 23, 1864.” Only recently taking over the congregation (formerly with congregation in Easton, Pa; until that year). “Pressing business affairs prevented me from writing sooner. Today is a holiday and I have a few more hours to chat with you. I had in mind to leave Syracuse on November 1st in order to start the $1,000 job which the Fells Point congregation in Baltimore had offered. But no sooner did the news of my intention to leave leak out, when many congregants urged me to stay…well and so, I am still here, getting almost $200 a month. Would like to have a [Hebrew word for title of book] without translation. Please send half a dozen together with your bill, if in stock. You probably already know a miserable [interpretation] to a paper called ‘Rebekka’ appeared here, published by a certain Mr. Sonner [Hebrew words] presumably a bum, who in the second, and hope the very last, issue behaved deploringly against Mr. Gunsburg in Rochester. I pray you will tell him…I assume you [know] that his diabolic travel report has caused deep indignation with everybody. I only wish that he would attack me. I would tell him something ! Well, my dear Mr. Leeser I am so excited about this affair which I can consider only as a [Hebrew words] that I have actually lost control over myself, for these fellows are not worth to be shot. Later on I shall write an article about it.” He adds three lines of a postscript on the top of the reverse side of the letter sheet “Last week I moved into my new residence in the center of the city. I pay $300 for new furnishings. I would like to see you here.” Although it is written in German with a number of phrases and words inserted neatly penned and lettered in Hebrew, it is accompanied by a modern English translation. Some very faint, light age browning on right side and lower edge; showing normal aging, but exc. It seems that Mayer had a knack for causing dissention with his congregation; his sermons in Easton are known to have been met with a mixed reaction, creating correspondence with Leeser whom he had earlier asked for advice

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