HENRY PEREIRA MENDES (born 1852) rabbi of Congr. Shearith Israel, N.Y. City.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009

It would be difficult to find a minister of any denomination with a more active career than that of Mendes. During his early ministry at that congregation, he actually took up the study of medicine and graduated from N.Y.U. Medical School (in 1884). Active in great many N.Y. and national Jewish organizations, filling a major role in many. A friend of Theodor Herzl, Mendes was one of first Zionists in America, significant for organizing the movement in U.S. and for founding the Orthodox Jewish Theological Seminary (earliest meetings held at his temple) finally opened in 1887. THIS 2 PAGE TYPED LETTER (each blank on reverse), on fancy printed personal letterhead. Dec. 9, 1896 to Mayer Sulzberger: regrets he was unable to meet with him on his visit to N.Y. City "…I wanted to speak to you about the Gratz fund. If it is to establish a college in Phila., I think the Seminary in N.Y. ought to be gradually prepared to transfer itself to Phila. as soon as the Gratz fund and the Seminary resources are together strong enough to maintain it…" continuing with particulars how various classes should be transferred and management of the new college and provisions for students to continue secular studies at a Phila. university… "if you will think over this matter I'll be glad to meet with you…meanwhile you can prepare the groundwork… you must admit two seminaries as near as N.Y. and Phila. would mean much waste of energy, teaching power and funds." He "incidentally" mentions "…I do not know whether to approach the [J.P.S.] on such a matter [as a new book I am writing]…stories for children called 'Stories About the Bible, But Not in the Bible' which will soon be ready for publication." Exc.+. Accompanied with lengthy 2 page bio sketch of his remarkable accomplishments, life and numerous writings

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