The Cincinnati Jewish Jubilee Yearbook - 1957

1957

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The Jubilee Year of Cincinnati Jewry
King David said that the ordinary life-span of a man is 70 years, but the Cincinnati Jewry is twice as old this year, a year marking many other significant anniversaries. 140 years ago the first Jew came to Cincinnati. It is 135 years since the first Shul and Cemetery were organized. It is 1120 years since the first Talmud Torah was started. 90 years ago the first Rov, Rabbi J. Ber Illowy came here, a talmid of the Great Goen Chsam Sofer and of Shdol Luzati. The first Jewish Kosher meat market was erected 85 years ago. The same year the first Jewish Doctor of medicine, Dr. Hersh Illowy, a Shabbos observer, opened his office. 80 years ago the Reb Shachnes Shul was organized; 75 years ago, the Ohev Sholom Russian Shul; 70 years since the Beth Medrash Hagodol; 65 years ago the Free Loan was founded; 60 years ago Rabbi Lesser was elected. 59th anniversary of the Somech Noflim Ladies' Benevolent Society. this is the 55th anniversary of Anshei Sholom; 50 years since the Moshev Skeinim home for the aged was founded; 40 years, the Yeshiva Eitz Chaim; 30 years, Knesseth Israel; 25 years since the Vaad Hoeir was established, and 25 years since the Kashruth in the city was perfected. This is also the TENTH year since the CHOFTEZ CHAIM DAY SCHOOL and kindergarten were founded.
I therefore take the opporuntiy to express my blessings and greetings to all of you. I am happy to see the success achieved in years past; our lofty standards of charity, philanthropy, and education. We thank the Almighty for blessing us with men of great leadership, courage, and devotion. We are proud of our 100% pure Kashruth system in our Jewish institutions, of the various educational and charitable institutions we established in Cincinnati. We are proud of our ability to comfort the new-comers and orchim.
We now recall the story of Huni Hamagel, who, it is said in the Talmud, once saw an old man plant a carob tree. "Will the tree ever bear fruit?" Huni asked. "After 70 years," the old man replied." "Do you expect to live 70 years more and eat the fruit of the tree?" Huni again asked. "I found the world desolated when I erected it, and as my father planted for me before I was born, so I do plant for those who will come after me," was the reply. We also must prepare for the future generations through Orthodox religious environment and education. I rejoice with you upon the many jubilees we are today celebrating. I am most joyful in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Vaad Hoeir and the 10th year of Chofetz Chaim. May they be our symbol and hope of an even more Orthodox Jewish life in future years.
Be blessed forever.
Yours affectionately,
Rabbi Eliezer Silver