Poster by Rabbi Chaim Fischel Epstein to inform the Cincinnati Jewish Community why he was Leaving Cincinnati in 1928

1928

caption:
To Cincinnati Jewry
 
Upon leaving the city, I wish to clarify
the reasons I am departing Cincinnati
 
I am leaving not because I am out for more money or honor. I received a handsome salary in Cincinnati and everyone, without exception, showed [me] respect and accorded me proper honor, thank G-d.
 
I am departing because the city is lethargic. Because, notwithstanding my intense efforts, I was unable to bring even a semblance of order to Jewish life.
 
The senseless hatred and egoistic politics that pervades the city is also a great obstacle. It erodes everything one undertakes to accomplish.
 
Also, individuals with special interests who look to “fish in the sewers” have inserted themselves and incite the undiscerning masses to perpetrate acts that run contrary to Jewish law and common decency.
 
The Shochtim (ritual slaughterers), who up until now were unable eke out a living, decided to raise the price of chicken slaughter by 10 cents per chicken. It is [still] almost impossible to find a cheaper price in any other American community. Now, according to Jewish law a Shochet is not allowed to have to worry about his livelihood – as Halachic authorities explain – for it would then be impossible for him to have the sensitivity necessary [for proper slaughter], rendering his Shechitah (slaughter) unkosher. This is the reason all real rabbis therefore declare that a Shochet’s livelihood must be protected, since the kosher status of his Shechitah is dependent upon it. But what are we now witnessing? A few unscrupulous individuals have assumed the right to incite [the masses] to obstruct this and import another Shochet to rip the bite of bread away from 11 impoverished Jews.
 
One can well understand how reliable is the Shechitah of a Jew who is fine with depriving 11 impoverished Shochtim of their bread. 
 
And yet we find women who for 5 cents less are fine with having their poultry slaughtered by a man whose past and prior conduct are unknown, as well as why he left his former position, and whether he is at all fit to be a Shochet.
 
Those who are perpetrating this as well as those who are assisting them are destined to give an accounting [before G-d]. They will have to give a full accounting for their actions.
 
All of you know that I am not a self-serving individual, Heaven forbid. You know how hard I worked and tried to improve the city in all matters related to Judaism, and not for my own interests, Heaven forbid.
 
Therefore, upon leaving this city I hereby warn you and enjoin you to make sure of the following:
 
You must see to it that the regulation which I instituted to attach seals and tickets to the slaughtered chickens should not be revoked, Heaven forbid. It is a great preemptive measure for Kashruth (kosher status and supervision). It is necessary for you in many aspects. Local Shochtim have testified before me what they themselves have seen, how [butchers] took strangulated chickens and had the non-jewish worker slit the chickens’ throats and sell it to Jewish women. With these tickets you can also be certain that you are receiving fresh, properly slaughtered chickens.
 
You should organize the Kashruth; see to it that the Shochtim do not have to worry about their livelihoods since this is imperative for the Kashruth. You must not allow their bit of bread to be ripped out of their mouths.
 
You must ensure that a truly religious rabbi, a Torah great, be hired immediately. For you must be aware that you have no reliable person of whom to ask a proper [Halachic] question, you have no one who can arrange a proper Get (Jewish divorce).
 
I wish you all health and livelihood. May you merit to raise your children as good Jews – may they be your consolation (alt: may you have nachas from them).
 
May we merit salvation and consolation, amen.
 
Chaim Fishel Epstein
Who served here as rabbi
Currently a rabbi in Brooklyn, N.Y., and formerly the rabbi of Liboy(?) and Seini(?)