THE DIVINE SERVICE OF AMERICAN ISRAELITES FOR THE NEW YEAR. MINHAG AMERIKA. TIFLOT B’NAI YESHURUN. L’ROSH HA SHANNAH
Cincinnati: Bloch & Co, 1866. Item #36462
1st edition. Full original tooled leather, 16mo, 212 pages. Hebrew, English and German. Considered to be the first Reform prayer book for Rosh HaShannah printed in the United States. Traditional Hebrew prayers, with an English translation, and prayers in English and German. The editor, Wise, was a pioneer of Reform Judaism in America and became its acknowledged leader and its institutional architect, organizing the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (1873) , the Hebrew Union College (1875) , and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (1889) . The reforms that he instituted sought to change or adapt Judaism to 19th century America. He was also an organizer and mover in the establishment of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, in 1889. Elected its president, he served until he died. Wise believed in uniting American Jewry and hoped to publish a new American reform prayer book titled "Minhag America. ” The Machzor presented here is part of this project. (See: Goldman 44) . Singerman 1949; Goldman 53. Tooled Morocco binding, all edges gilt. Previous owner’s name and date stamp (1926) on rear endpaper, some wear to binding, but a nice attractive clean copy, much better than generally seen. (KH-5-48A).
Price: $275.00