THIS DAY IN JEWISH HISTORY July 3 324: Constantine the Great defeated Licinius at the Battle of Adrianople. Constantine ruled the western half of the Roman Empire. Licinius ruled the eastern half. In 313 the two rulers had issued the Edict of Milan which opened the Roman Empire to Christianity. In 320, Licinius reject the edict. These led to a clash of political and religious power that was settled at the Battle of Adrianople. When the war ended, Constantine and Christianity were secure in their respective positions of power and the history of the Jews of Europe would take a turn for the worse. 353: Emperor Constantius II issues a decree to confiscate all of the property anyone who converts from Christianity to Judaism. Christians worked hard to convert Jews, and they absolutely rejected conversion back to Judaism. Being Jewish is apparently something that one should be ashamed of. (As reported by Austin Cline) 987: Hugh Capet is crowned King of France, the first of the Capetian dynasty. “The Capetian dynasty lasted for more than 300 years. Capetian rule was weak, especially during the first hundred years. Thus each duchy decided for itself how to treat its Jews. The Church gained enormous influence over local affairs and promoted the idea that the Jews were in league with the Devil - declaring them the antichrist. 1187: As the conflict between the Crusaders and Saladin comes closer to a climax, the King of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan leads his army on a forced march under the broiling sun of the Galilee 1247: Pope Innocent IV issues the encyclical Lacrimabilem Judaeorum condemning blood libels against Jews.(As reported by Austin Cline) 1431: Queen Violante, the second wife of Juan I of Aragon passed away. Unlike other Catholic monarchs of her time, Violante showed herself to be a friend of the Jews. When she found out that Christian mobs had attacked the Jewish community of Majorca, killing at least three hundred of them, she order that “inhabitants of the islands to pay a fine of 150,000 florins (or, according to some authorities, 104,000 florins).” 1475: Meshullam Cusi Rafa ben Moses Jacob established the first Hebrew press in Italy at Piove di Sacco near Padua and printed Jacob ben Ashers Arbah Turim. The same year he also printed a Slichot jewishencyclopedia/view.jsp?artid=344&letter=P 1608: Quebec City was founded by French explorer Samuel Champlain. Prior to 1760, when the British took Canada from France, officially there were no Jews living in Quebec or any other part of the French colony. The King of France had decreed that only Roman Catholics could settle in the colony. This declaration was aimed at potential Protestant colonists, but it hit Jews as well. The first known Jew settled in Quebec in 1767. 1749: Seventy-year old Menahem Man ben Aryeh Löb of Visun, who had tortured was executed in Vilna 1785(25th of Tammuz, 5645): Ninety-year old Lithuanian rabbi and Talmudist Aryeh Leib Gunzberg (As reported by Abraham Bloch) yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Gintsburg_Aryeh_Leib_ben_Asher 1844: In Stadtlengsfeld, Germany, Rabbi Liebman Adler and his wife gave to Dankmar Adler, American architect and engineer. Adler’sname is first name is a combination of the German word for thanks –‘dank’- and the Hebrew word for bitter – ‘mar’. Adler’s father created the name since Adler’s mother died in childbirth. The Adler family moved to Chicago where young Adler learned his trade as a draftsman. He enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War fighting his way across Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. After the war, Adler designed or helped build a variety of buildings including The Stock Exchange in Chicago and Carnegie Hall in New York. He also built Temples and Synagogues in Chicago. Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America’s most famous architects trained in Adler’s offices. Adler passed away in 1900 after having just completed Temple Isaiah in Chicago 1849: The French entered Rome in order to restore Pope Pius IX to power. After his return to power Pius re-instituted the Ghetto for the Jews of Rome 1850. In 1858, he would gain greater fame (or infamy) during the Mortara Affair during which Pius refused to return young Edgardo to his Jewish family. 1851: Birthdate of Isaac de Camondo, the French banker who had been born in Constantinople and whose “noteworthy” art collection was bequeathed to the Louve 1852: Birthdate of Hungarian pianist and composer Rafael Joseffy 1855: “Jewing the Jews” published today reported that “Lord John Russell who is notorious for great promises and abundant non-performance” has backed out on his promise to remove the legal obstructions preventing Jews from serving in Parliament. The article goes on to trace Lord Russell’s history of involvement in the issued beginning in 1847 when he needed the financial support of the Rothschilds to win the election. While the Rothschilds provided the funds need by Lord Russell, Lord Russell, for some mysterious reason, avoided the easy route that would have it possible for Rothschild to take his seat in the Commons and opted instead for a broader reform that was sure to fail because it needed the support of the House of Lords. It would seem that Lord Russell really never wanted a Jew to sit in Parliament. 1857: It was reported today that a Jewish boy named Isaac Jackson was robbed and murdered in Russell, MA by a man named Charles Jones from Blanford. Jones had recently been released from prison and had been arrested for this latest criminal act. 1860: Birthdate of Théodore Reinach “a French archaeologist, mathematician, lawyer, papyrologist, philologist, epigrapher, historian, numismatist, musicologist, professor, and politician.” 1863: In New York City Sophie and Abram J. Dittenhoefer gave birth to Irving Meade Dittenhoefer. Dittenhoefer was the grandson of Isaac Dittenhoefer a native of Germany who came to the United States in 1834 settling first in Baltimore and then Charleston, SC where he became a successful merchant. Irving followed his father into the legal arena graduating from Columbia Law School in 1885. He and his wife Fannie have one son, Newman Erb Dittenhoefer. 1863: Union forces decisively defeated the Rebels on the third and climactic day of the Battle of Gettysburg. . The war would last for almost two years, but the tide had been turned. The “last best hope of man” would survive. The United States, with all of its freedom, would become home to one of the largest and most dynamic Jewish communities in the four thousand year history of the Chosen People. Edward S. Salomon, a German-Jewish immigrant who had settled in Chicago, “became a hero during the Battle of Gettysburg.” Lt. Colonel Salmon had two horses shot out from under him and assumed command of his regiment when the commanding officer was wounded. The regiment was the 82nd Illinois which had over a hundred Jewish members in its ranks. Major General Carl Schurz, his corps commander, described him during the battle: He was the only soldier at Gettysburg who did not dodge when Lees guns thundered; he stood up, smoked his cigar and faced the cannon balls with the sang froid of a Saladin ...” Apparently the irony of comparing this brave Jewish officer to a Moslem military hero was lost on Schurz. Such was Salomon’s skill and bravery that he would be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General before the end of the war when the Confederate and Union armies collided and battled at the Battle of Gettysburg July 1–3, 1863. His ability to lead men was quickly recognized and he rapidly rose through the ranks. Salomon received a brevet promotion to brigadier general in March 1865. After the Battle of Atlanta, Colonel John Cleveland Robinson recognized the feats of Colonel Salomon when he wrote: I consider Colonel Salomon one of the most deserving officers. His regiment is deserving of high praise. In a point of discipline it is second to none in the corps. Among other Jewish soldiers who fought at this climactic battle were Elias Leon Hyneman who had volunteered to serve in Company C, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry at the start of the conflict; Captain Joseph B. Greenhut who had enlisted in the 12rh Illinois Infantry at the start of the war and served with the 82nd Illinois Infantry at Gettysburg; 1863: The 59th New York which had been organized by Philip J. Joachimsen was one of the regiments that held the line on Cemetery Ridge against Pickett’s charge. 1863: As the Battle of Gettysburg came to a close, Major Rafael Jacob Moses of Columbus, GA, shared the battlefield with his friend, Robert E. Lee 1863: The Tullahoma or Middle Tennessee Campaign a ten-long military action in which Confederate forces were defeated by Union Forces that included 79th Indiana under the command of Frederick Knefler came to an end. 1866: Prussia defeats Austria at the Battle of Königgratz. The victory seals the victory of the Prussians over the Austrians during Austro-Prussian War which lasted as scant six weeks. This little known battle is one of the most decisive in modern history because of all the major events that flowed from it. The victory removed Austria as a power among Germanic states. This opened the way for German unification under Prussian dominance which lead to the Franco-Prussian War, which led to World War I which led to the Shoah. The defeat of Austria led the Austrians to turn to the rest of the empire and create the Austro-Hungarian Empire which gave empowered the Hungarian nationalist which led to granting of full rights to the Jews of the empire who gave the world everybody from Freud to Herzl and a whole lot more. And this only scratches the surface of the impact of this one brief battle. 1867: In Bar, near Kamenetz Podolsk (modern Ukraine). Rabbi Judah Samuel Baronedess and his wife gave birth to New York political and labor leader Joseph Barondess. 1869: In Germany (Prussia), all restrictions against Jews were lifted. After the war of 1866 Prussia increased its territory to include Hanover, Hesse-Kassel Saxony, and other territory that became part of the North German Confederation. Under the initiative of the Liberal party, full rights were extended to Jews including serving in public positions. By April 16, 1871 it became Imperial Law and was extended to the entire empire. Although later reaction revoked most of this freedom, the discrimination never returned to the level existing in the Middle Ages - until the rise of Hitler. 1869: Founding of the Union of Judæo-German Congregations during a synod that was held at Leipzig. 1870: Members of Beth Jacob consecrated their house of worship in Brooklyn this afternoon. After a procession from the local Masonic Hall to the new edifice, Rabbi Samuel M. Issacs addressed the congregation, speaking proudly of the advances that had been made recently in religious thought and strongly endorsing reforms that were being adopted by many congregations. He also addressed the wonderful climate of freedom that Jews enjoyed in the United States. Rabbi Adolph Huebsch of Brooklyn also addressed the crowd after which a total of $1,000 was contributed by the attendees. The new building had cost $8,000 and was fully paid for without this additional sum. 1872: An English version of La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein a Jacques Offenbach operetta, opened at the Union Square Theatre in New York City. 1874: Starting with this issue The Israelite, an English language weekly founded by Rabbi Isaac Meyer Wise was renamed The American Israelite 1874: Among those who were arriving at Saratoga Springs at the beginning of the Summer Social Season were “Mrs. Joseph Seligman wife of the wealthy banker” and her two daughters, Miss Bella Seligamn and “Mrs. Hellman whose husband is a Director of the Bank of New Orleans.” 1875: The Foreign Notes column reported that “a new invention by Sir David Salomons for preventing railway accidents by an improved system of signaling” has been exhibited to “a large number of engineers and inventors” in London. The invention “consists of an insulated rail laid beneath the four way, by means of which station-masts can telegraph to a train while in motion.” Also this makes it possible for people on one train to communicate with people on another train. Salomons is best known for his several attempts to assume political office to which he had been elected with taking the oath that called for an affirmation of Christian beliefs. 1875: The Foreign Notes column reported that the Russian government is going back to its past practice of persecuting Jews. Many Jews have moved their homes and businesses to take advantage of new opportunities created by the developing railroad system. Authorities are now enforcing an old law and forcing the Jews to return to their former homes, leaving behind their new businesses and homes. 1877: Two Jews named David Milstein and Isaac Goldstein were tried today in New York and found guilty of first degree burglary. They had broken into the home of a butcher named Meyer Freeman, robbing him of money and jewelry. They were sentenced to 12 years in the state prison. Milstein has spent 21 of his 28 years in prison while Goldstein has served one term in the state penitentiary. 1879: In London, a formal announcement was made that the three sons of the recently deceased Baron Lionel de Rothschild will carry on their father’s business activities. 1882: As boatloads of Italian and Russian Jewish workers who had replaced the striking freight handlers returned from New Jersey, they were set upon and beaten by gangs of local thugs. The strikers claimed that they were not involved and that this was merely the work of young toughs. 1882: A Russian Jew employed on the Pennsylvania pier, No.1 North River tore a piece of his scalp that was two inches in diameter from his forehead when a heavy bale that he was putting on a truck broke free and hit an obstruction. The Russian Jews was one of the strikebreakers who were plentiful in number but inept at doing the work. 1883: Birthdate of author Franz Kafka. The famous Czech born author gained his real fame after his death. After many false starts Kafka earned a Doctorate of Laws and then took a mind-numbing job with an insurance company. Ill health finally enabled him to work shorter hours, which gave him time to pursue his writings. Three of his best known works are the Trial, The Castle and America. Kafka became famous in spite of himself. He had left word that at the time of his death all of his manuscripts were to be destroyed. Fortunately his friend Max Brod disobeyed him and had the works published. Kafka had planned to immigrate to Palestine before his untimely death in 1924 hastened by the effects of tuberculosis. On being Jewish Kafka wrote, Not one calm second is granted to the Western Jew. Everything has to be earned, not only the present and the future but also the past…, 1884: The attorney for Gustave Jean Jacquet defended the painter from charges by Alexandre Dumas fils that he had defamed him by caricaturing the French author and dramatist as Baghdad Jew by arguing that the author’s features were public property. In making his argument he cited the precedent of Horace Vernet “who depicted a well-known Jew running away with the cashbox.” Dumas was the illegitimate son of the more famous author of the same name. He was also the maternal grandfather of Alexander Lippman the French Olympic fencer whose father was Jewish. 1885: “Sending Back French Paupers” published today described the situation of indigent Jewish immigrants who had been sent to the United States by the Hebrew Aid Society of Paris last season and been returned to their place of origin because of their lack of funds and financial sponsors. 1887: “The Goethe-Zelter Letters” published today provides a detailed review of Goethe’s Letters to Zelter With Extracts From Those Of Zelter To Goethe, selected, translated and annotated by A.D. Coleridge. The book includes a description of the strange relationship between Carl Zeller, who did not like Jews, and his favorite pupil Felix Mendeslohn, whose family was Jewish. 1888: The Sanitarium for Hebrew Children conducted the first of its ten summer excursions for poor Jewish children and their mothers. 1889: In Brooklyn, Dr. Henry M. Leipzieger of the Hebrew Technical School presented a paper entitled “Manual Training in Relation to Public School Work” at a meeting of the New York State Teacher’s Association. 1890: The striking cloakmakers and tailors, most of whom are Polish and Russian Jews, resorted to violence after have peacefully endured the lockout for several weeks. Groups of strikers attacked scabs working at the Mercantile Cloak Company and Meyer Jonason & Co. 1890: Idaho joins the Union becoming the 43rd star on the Star Spangled Banner. Despite a comparatively small Jewish population, Idaho was the first state to elect a Jew as Governor. On his second try for the top spot Moses Alexander was elected in 1914. He served from 1915 until 1919. A German immigrant, Alexander had previously been elected Mayor of Boise. Alexander was not casual about his Jewish identity. His wife was a Jew by choice, having converted when she married Alexander. 1891:Reports published today describing the recent death of Prince Vladimir Andreyevich Dolgorukov, governor-general (mayor) of Moscow include a description of the positive relationship he enjoyed with the Jews of that city which ran contrary to the policy of the Czar. The Czar finally became so upset with him over this that he replaced him with the Grand Duke Sergius and forced him into virtual exile. 1893: In New York, “the Baron Hirsch Fund Schools held their ‘English Day’ exercise today during which the students’ songs and recitation showed their “undying allegiance to the flag of their adopted country.” 1893: “Growth of the Feeling Against the Jews in Germany” published today that by having elected sixteen members to the Reichstag, the anti-Semites have exceeded by one the number need to claim the privileges of a Party including the right to introduce legislation. Herman Ahlwardt, who has just been released from prison and is the group’s leader, plans on introducing “special taxes on Jew bankers and traders. “Anti-Semitism in Germany has ceased to be a sporadic local phenomenon.” In 1887 one anti-Semite was elected to Reichstag; in 1890, it was five; and now it is 16 who “have almost 500,000 voters behind them. Nor do these figures tell all” since “the Conservative Party…pledged by its platform…to any decent and practicable measures against the Jews.” (Editor’s Note – I realize this is a long entry but it challenges the notion that anti-Semitism in Germany was the product of the Versailles Treaty, the Great Depression or intimidation by a handful of brown-shirted thugs.) 1893: Today’s London Times is scheduled to publish a “startling photographic glimpse of what Russia is really like” which has been prepared by Sir Julian Goldsmid. 1894: Dr. Adolph Radin, Isidor D. Morrison and Julius Harburger addressed those attending tonight’s exercise hosted by the Russian American Hebrew Association in honor of the Fourth of July. The program also included music and a benediction by Rabbi Moses of Port Gibson. 1894: Rabbi Levy of New Haven, CT officiated at the wedding of Sadie Bentschner to Isadore Israel at the home of the bride’s parents in Charleston, SC. 1895: The will of the late Lewis S. Levy was filed for probate in the Surrogate’s office today. 1896:”Gathered About Town” published today provided further indication of the large number of foreign born Jews living in New York. Notices posted in the main corridor of the General Post Office are printed in Hebrew letters providing “instruction for the many Russian Polish Jews who have business with the postal authorities.” Similar notices have been printed in German and Italian for years. 1896: The body of the man found floating in New York’s Clyde River on June 25 has been identified as 25 year old Simon Mischel, a member of well-to-do family living on Delancey Street. Apparently he was shoved into the water after having been robbed an strangled by a gang of robbers who have been operating in the area. 1896: In Vienna, the Diet took up the question of extending the franchise. An amendment, which seems to have great support, was proposed that would exclude Jews and Converts from exercising the franchise. 1896: According to a report to be published in today’s Daily News, the attacks on the Jews at Mizalbisch were orchestrated by a Russian officer who was seeking “revenge against a Jewish” tavern keeper who had rescued a peasant whom the officer “was thrashing.” 1896: Local administrators arbitrarily reclassified certain “townlets” as “villages” which caused havoc for Jewish merchants due to the restrictive nature of the May Laws. 1896: “Death of Jules S. Abecasis” published today described the fatal collision between the “well known rubber broker” and active member of the Jewish community who was riding his bicycle when it was struck by an express wagon. 1897: A summary of the acquisitions made by the New York Public Library during May published today show that of the institution had acquired, by various means, 1,600 books and pamphlets written in Hebrew and 360 works in Yiddish. In additions to the Bible and Commentaries, Talmud, Midrash, Cabala and Jewish History books, the library now owns “165 photographs of prominent Jews.” 1897: According to figures released yesterday when his will was filed for probated Mayer Lehman “left an estate valued at $450,000 in real and $500,000 in personal property. In addition to bequeathing thousands of dollars to a variety of Jewish and Gentile charities, Lehman left $20,000 for the executors to use as they see fit to assist family members and “for such employees of Lehman brothers as may be in need of aid. 1897: “Jewish Pupils Celebrate” published today described the exercises at the Baron de Hirsch English Day School in which children of Jewish immigrants demonstrated their patriotism and fluency in English as they prepare to observe Independence Day. 1897: “Americans in Babylonia” published today provided a review of Nippur or Explorations and Adventures by Dr. John Punnett Peters in which the author describes the Jewish community that originated during the period of “Captivity” which created to great centers – Sura near Babylonia and Nehardea or Nearda which is not far from Anabar. The latter was a prominent Jewish center, he says for 800 years until it was replaced by Baghdad. 1898: “Jewish Chautauqua Society” published today described plans for the Second Assembly of the society which will be held at Atlantic City later this month with headquarters at Congregation Beth Israel on Pennsylvania Avenue. 1903: Pogrom began in Bialystok. 1904(20th of Tammuz, 5664): Theodor Herzl away at the age of 44. One person can make a difference. “If you will it, it is no dream!” youtube/watch?v=8CdfCZa2XOI youtube/watch?v=qO88cy4YgHU youtube/watch?v=dWi3pV8_XQY 1904: In Manhattan Mollie (Isaacs) Lefkowitz and Samuel Lefkowitz gave birth to Louis J. Lefkowitz the Republican lawyer who served the state’s Attorney General for 22 years. 1907: Rabbi Joseph Stotlz delivered the “President’s Message” on the second day of the annual convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. 1907: Birthdate of Felix Solomon Cohen, the New Deal lawyer who re-shaped the legal status of Native Americans. 1918: Sultan Mehmed V of the Ottoman Empire passed away at the age of 73. He had been the titular head of the empire that sided with the Central Powers during World War I. Among the Jews who died fighting under the Sultan’s banner were Major Isaac Adjubel, Captain Albert Cohen, Captin Izidor Shalom, Captain Zavarro, Captain Albert Menashe, Captain Pepo Akshiote, Captain Siyaves, Captain Albagli, Captain Asa, Captain David Feder and Captain Pharmacist Behor Alfandar. 1920: In Manhattan, attorney Selig Seligman and his wife, concert pianist Selma Edelman, gave birth to Daniel Edelman, the founder of Edelman, “one of the largest public relations firms in the world” (As reported by Dennis Hevesi) 1921: Birthdate of Levi Yitzchak Horowitz, the second Rebbe of the Boston Hasidic dynasty founded by his father, Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz. haaretz/the-bostoner-rebbe-the-first-american-born-hasidic-leader-1.2308 1923: In Paris, Béatrice de Camondo and Léon Reinach the son of Théodore Reinach gave birth to their second child, Bertrand. He would die a t Auschwitz in 1944. 1923: Mayer Dizengoff, the Mayor of Tel Aviv, sails from New York City aboard the Aquitania. 1924: In Syracuse, NY, Bessie and Harry Israel gave birth to Marvin Israel “a painter and editorial art director and a teacher of graphics and photography.” 1925: Birthdate of Tony Curtis. Born Bernard Schwartz in the Bronx, Curtis was sometimes referred to as a poor mans Cary Grant. One of his biggest hits came when he played opposite Grant in the film The Pink Submarine. Other famous roles were in Some Like It Hot with costars Jack Lemmon and that famous Jewess, Marilyn Monroe and as the wisecracking New York born orderly in Dr. Newman, M.D. 1929: At the opening meeting of the Assembly of the Elected, “the national body which elects the National Council of Palestine Jews, a dispute broke out between Dr. Ton, the presiding officer and revisionist leader Vladimir Jabotinsky. The dispute revolved around revisionist claims that several of their delegates were attacked by Labor delegates and was so intense the meeting was adjourned. 1933: In Chicago, the convention of the ZOA comes to a close. 1934: Rebbetzin Renee Schick who founded the Schicks Bakery in Boro Park in 1941, and her husband gave birth to Professor Marvin Schick “an expert on Jewish Day Schools who served “as liaison to the Jewish Community” for John Lindsay during his second term as Mayor of NYC. 1935: According to reports published today, the Sir Francis Montefiore, grandnephew of the noted philanthropist, who passed away at the age of 75 had served for several years President of the Board of Elders of the Spanish Portuguese Synagogue in London; a position to which he was first elected in 1904. 1936(13th of Tammuz, 5696): German Jew Stefan Lux kills himself in the assembly room of the League of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The suicide is in protest of Germanys persecution of Jews. He was an early supporter of Theodore Herzl and Zionism but curtailed his efforts following the Great War. 1936 The Palestine Post reported from London that the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Ormsby Gore, told the House of Commons that there were no provisions in the Covenant or Peace Treaties or the Mandate regarding the withdrawal of the Mandate from the Power entrusted with it. 1936: Sir Sidney Abrahams became the 26th Chief Justice of Ceylon, a post he would hold until 1939. 1936 The Palestine Post reported that Hebron was fined a collective fine of £2,000 for ambushing an army patrol. Two British soldiers were hurt in this encounter. 1936: The Palestine Post reported that ten suspected Jewish communists were rounded up by police in Tel Aviv and interned at the armys Sarafand detention camp. 1936 The Palestine Post reported that when questioned about a news item which appeared in an Arab newspaper, the management of the Jerusalem YMCA declared that it offered a platform on which young men, irrespective of their race, creed and religion could cooperate and meet in an atmosphere of congeniality and goodwill. 1937: In Buffalo, NY Esther Miriam (née Sheinberg) and Buffalo society band leader and piano teacher Irving Daniel Shire gave birth to David Lee Shire the songwriter and composer whose work included the soundtracks for “The Taking of Phelham One Two Three” and “The Conversation.” 1937: Twenty-nine year old Brooklynite Moe Schultz returned today on the President Roosevelt from Palestine, where he said he had driven a truck for three years between the towns of Haifa and Tel-Aviv, a distance of ninety miles, and had many thrilling escapes from Arab snipers. 1939: A sailboat of unknown nationality arrived in Haifa flying the blue and white colors of the Zionist cause. British police boarded the boat “where they found 697 Jewish immigrants including 192 women and 37 children.” The immigrants are classified as “illegal” and their total will be deducted from the pitifully small allotment of Jews allowed to enter Palestine under the White Paper. 1939(16th of Tamuz, 5699): Tonight Arabs attacked Tel Hayim, a settlement near Tel Aviv, killing one Jewish supernumerary. 1941: Associate Justice Harlan Fisk Stone began serving as Chief Just of the U.S Supreme Court. From 1932 until 1937, Stone, the New England Prorestant joined the two Jewish Justices – Cardozo and Brandeis – as the 3 Musketeers, the liberal faction of the Supreme. 1941(8th of Tammuz, 5701): At Nowogrodek, the Nazis sought fifty volunteers to be members of the Jewish council there. They are taken away and never seen again. Fifty more were shot in the town square. 1941: In Vilna, all the Jews were required to wear identity badges. 1941(8th of Tammuz, 5701): One hundred Jews are murdered at Bialystok, Poland. 1941(8th of Tammuz, 5701): In the Ukraine, 3500 Jews are killed at Zloczow and hundreds die at Drohobycz. 1941(8th of Tammuz, 5701): Fifty Jews in Novogroduk, Belorussia, who volunteer for a German-organized Jewish council, disappear. Another 50, selected at random, are shot in the town square to the accompaniment of music played by a German band. 1941: Soviet leader Joseph Stalin orders the establishment of partisan units to harass German troops in occupied Soviet territory. Jews would play an active role in these units. There were also units made up exclusively of Jewish partisans. 1941: Birthdate of Gloria Rachel Bloom, who gained fame as Gloria Alred, the publicity seeking lawyer. 1943: Birthdate of self-promoting television news personality Geraldo Rivera. Rivera’s father was from Puerto Rico. After moving to New York he married a Jewish woman named Lily Friedman. Contrary to popular urban legend, Rivera’s original name was not Gerry Rivers. And he did not change his name to appeal to Hispanic audiences. 1944: Minsk was liberated from Nazi control by Soviet troops during Operation Bagration 1944: The British War Cabinet agrees to examine Zionist leader Chaim Weizmanns request for the formation of a Jewish Brigade to fight in the British Army, with the white and blue Star of David as its standard. 1945: In Jerusalem, Israeli poet and political activist Yonatan Ratosh and his wife gave birth to award winning mathematician Saharon who splits his time between Hebrew University and Rutgers in New Jersey. 1946: Theodore Levin was nominated by President Harry S. Truman to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan vacated by Edward Julien Moinet. 1946: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis met for the first time in Atlantic City. They would become one of the leading comedy teams of their time. The Italian Crooner played straight man to the Jewish clown. 1946: After having been “missing” for two days, 8 year old Henryk Blaszcyk returned to his family at Kielce having gone to his home town to visit friends which led his father to file a second report with the local police “claiming his son had been kidnapped by the Jews” but had managed to escape.” This false report would result in a police investigation that would provide the excuse for another round of Poles murdering Jews. 1947: Birthdate of brilliant attorney, Renaissance man and all-around great guy, David Robert Levin- a real Mensh. He is also one heck of a great brother! 1948: Rumors abound in besieged Jerusalem that a new road was being built that would bring supplies to the embattled city. 1949: Birthdate of world traveling computer whiz and pillar of the Cedar Rapids Jewish community, Bill Hurwitz 1949 David Ben-Gurion issued a public exoneration of Meir Tubiansky and restitution of his rank and rights. Four days later his body was re-buried on Mount Herzl. In November 1949, after a trial at which Binyamin Gibli appeared as a witness for the prosecution,Isser Beeri was found guilty of manslaughter. 1951: The Jerusalem Post reported that the first reading of the Womens Equal Rights Bill was passed by the Knesset. The Knesset had also passed a bill empowering the government to float loans up to IL5m. from financial institutions to be applied to the defense budget. 128,223 new immigrants entered the country during the first six months of 1951. Since the state was established in 1948, 638,597 immigrants arrived. 1956: Release date for “Somebdy Up There Likes Me” starring Paul Newman, with a script by Ernest Lehman and filmed by cinematographer Joseph Ruttenberg. 1959: Birthdate of Julie Burchill, “a defender of Israel, The Jewish Chronicle described … in 2008 as Israels staunchest supporter in the UK media; who has two Israeli flags in her home” thejc/arts/arts-interviews/julie-burchill-brash-outspoken-and-wishing-she-was-jewish timesofisrael/playing-hatikvah-on-a-desert-island/ 1959: Birthdate of David Shore the Canadian lawyer turned writer, who is “best known for his work writing and producing television shows including Family Law, NYPD Blue, Due South and House. 1962: The Algerian War for Independence ends with Algeria gaining its independence from France. The end of the war with the Algerians marked a shift in French attitudes and policies in the Middle East. Under De Gaulle’s leadership, the French government sought to develop a power base among the Moslem nations of North Africa and the Near East. This meant a growing policy of hostility towards Israel that would ultimately lead the French government to attempt to block the delivery of patrol boats to Israel later in the decade. The naval craft had already been paid for when the French refused to deliver them so Israeli agents seized them and brought them to Haifa. 1967: After two days of fighting in and around Ras el Ish, neither Egyptians nor Israeli forces move against the other. 1976: The Israeli cabinet approved Operation Thundberbolt, the rescue mission designed to save the Jewish hostages being held at Entenbbe. It was to be under the command of Major General Yekutiel Kuti Adam with Matan Vilnai as the Deputy Commander and Brigadier General Dan Shomron was appointed to command the operation on the ground 1976: Following approval of the rescue plan 13:20 (1:20pm), four IAF Hercules took off and headed for their African destination. 1970: Final episode of “Doctor in the House,” a British sitcom featuring Jonathan Lynn as “Daniel Hooley” who also wrote several of the scripts, was broadcast today. 1979: Thirty-four years after the end of World War II, the West German government voted to continue prosecution of Nazi war criminals by removing the statute of limitations on murder. 1980(19th of Tammuz, 5740): Anatoli (Tankhum) Lvovich Kaplan “a Russian painter, sculptor and printmaker, whose works often reflect his Jewish origins” passed away. One of his most noted works was “The Musicians” painted in 1968. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoli_Lvovich_Kaplan en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kaplanmusicians.jpg 1982: Uri Avnery, the Israeli writer and Knesset member who has traveled from the Irgun to the leftist peace movement met Yasser Arafat on during the Battle of Beirut — said to have been the first time an Israeli met personally with Arafat. 1985: “Back to the Future: directed by Robert Zemeckis was released today, “and became the most successful film of the year, grossing more than $383 million worldwide and receiving critical acclaim.” 1987: Furniture Making in East London: 1830 to 1980, an exhibition that is part of this summers Jewish East End Celebration opened at Geffrye Museum, 1989: Opening of the Thirteenth Maccabiah. 1991(21st of Tammuz, 5751): Seventy-nine Ephraim Elimelech Urbach, the native of Bialystok who made Aliyah in 1937 and was a Professor of Talmud at Hebrew University passed away today. nytimes/1991/07/03/obituaries/ephraim-e-urbach-hebrew-scholar-79.html 1997: Poet Adrienne Rich made headlines today by refusing to accept the National Medal for the Arts. “Ms Rich informed Jane Alexander, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, that she would not accept the National Medal for the Arts. To accept the award, she felt, would be hypocritical in view of the countrys widening socio-economic gap. In her typical hard-hitting style, Rich wrote that, art—in my own case the art of poetry—means nothing if it simply decorates the dinner table of power which holds it hostage. Both the national recognition and Richs principled refusal were emblematic of the place this poet has come to occupy in American culture.” 2001(12th of Tammuz, 5761): Mordecai Richler passed away. Born in 1931, Richler was a prolific prize winning author. One of his most famous books was the “Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz,” which was later made into a movie starring Richard Dreyfus. 2004: In “Meanwhile: Theodor Herzl’s Dream 100 Years After His Death,” Geoffrey Wheatcroft, concluded that “anyone can see by visiting Israel, Montefiore and others who disparaged Zionism were wrong in saying that the Jews could not become a nation. That part of Herzls dream has come true.” nytimes/2004/07/03/opinion/03iht-edwheat_ed3_.html 2005: The New York Times features reviews of books by Jewish authors and/or of special interest to Jewish readers including the recently released paperback editions of The Missing Peace: The Inside Store of the Fight for Middle East Peace by Dennis Ross and Codex by Lev Grossman 2006: In “Entebbe’s Unsung Hero,” Eyal Ben described the fate of 19 year old Jean Jacques Maimoni, one of the hostages who did not survive.” ynetnews/articles/0,7340,L-3270314,00.html 2006: In the following review of “Up, Up and Oy Vey!” by Simcha Weinstein, Louis Parks describes “the obvious parallels” between the origins of Superman and Biblical depiction of Moses. A loving parent tries to save the life of a child by placing him in a basket—or space capsule—and sending him floating/blasting to safety. Found and adopted into a new family in his new world, Moses/Superman is still guided by the wisdom and counsel of his parent. He lives a double life with a secret identity. Moses eventually leads people from abuse to freedom. Superman rescues people from disasters and crime. Supermans creators, Jewish immigrant sons Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster, invented the superhero in 1938 Cleveland, Ohio. They never declared Superman was Jewish and their ambiguity was probably intentional. Though they didnt give their hero a specific ethnicity or religion, there are hints at his Jewishness. In some of his earliest stories, Superman sometimes foiled the plans of thinly disguised German Nazis, whose persecution of Jews already was infamous. Americans may not have noticed, but apparently the Nazis snapped to the implications, quickly blasting the new comic. Weinstein writes that in 1940, Nazi propaganda minister Josef Goebbels denounced Superman as Jewish. Weinstein also recounts the Jewish influence on superheroes such as Batman, Captain America, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and X-Men, most of whom were created by Jewish artists. 2007: Friendship: An Expose by Joseph Epstein goes on sale to the general public today. 2007: Much to the delight of all who know him, David Levin, a mensch in the truest sense of that word, celebrates his sixtieth birthday. 2007: In Jerusalem, The Israeli Ballet, featuring Yevegenia Oberzatsuba and Vladimir Shaklerov, will perform the famous, romantic ballet, Giselle, in the Sherover Theater at the Jerusalem Theater. 2008: Rosh Chodesh Tammuz (First Day) 2008: Birthday celebration of David Levin, a grand gabbai and, like his Biblical namesake, a sweet singer of song. 2008: Yehudit Ravitz performed her first Caesarea Amphitheatre show in a decade to a sold-out crowd 2008: A foundation created by Steven Spielberg is giving $1 million to the National Museum of American Jewish History. The money from the Righteous Persons Foundation will go toward a new, five-story museum building being built in Philadelphia. 2008: Today, Saudi Arabia invited Israeli rabbi David Rosen, president of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations to attend an interfaith conference to be held in Madrid. 2008: During the ceasefire with Hamas a Kassam rocket fired from Gaza struck near a kibbutz in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. No casualties or damage was reported. 2009: Bill Hurwitz, world traveling computer whiz pillar of the Cedar Rapids Jewish community, and a Zeda twice over celebrates the BIG Six-O. 2009: Israeli celebrity Dudu Topaz attempted to commit suicide at the Abu Kabir Detention Center in Tel Aviv. 2009: The family and friends celebrate the anniversary of the natal day of David Levin whose accomplishments are so numerous that we would have to start a separate blog just to cover them. יום הולדת שמח 2010: The United States Holocaust Museum is scheduled to present a special program entitled France Pruitt Faith, Courage, and Survival in a Time of Trouble 2010: The joy of Shabbat is doubled as it coincides with the celebration of the birthday of David Levin, a hamesha mensch par excellence and a great brother. 2010: In Cedar Rapids, the traditional Shabbat minyan at Temple Judah celebrated the holiday weekend with a “Red, White and Blue.” 2010: Palestinian Authority chief negotiator Saeb Erekat categorically denied today a report that the PA told George Mitchell it would allow or accept Israeli sovereignty over the Western Wall in a new Arab state. The London-based Al-Hayat Arabic language daily had reported today that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas gave U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell a signed letter that the PA would surrender its demand that the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem be part of his proposed PA state. 2011: The family and friends of David Levin are glad to be able to share in celebrating the natal day of this hamesha mensch. 2011: The wedding ceremony joining Abbie Silber and Rabbi Feivel Strauss is scheduled to take place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A sweet singer of song joins a budding sage! 2011: The Los Angeles Times features reviews of books by Jewish authors and/or of special interest to Jewish readers including “To End All Wars” by Adam Hochschild. 2011: The New York Times features reviews of books by Jewish authors and/or of special interest to Jewish readers including “Manstein: Hitler’s Greatest General” by Mungo Melvin and the recently released paperback editions of “Necessary Secrets: National Security, the Media, and the Rule of Law” by Gabriel Schoenfeld and “Spies of the Balkans Alan Furst’s that centers around “Costa Zannis, a police official and fixer who has taken to helping Jewish refugees from Berlin complete the difficult route to safety.” 2011(1st of Tammuz, 5771): Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 2011: Terrorists in Hamas-controlled Gaza resumed rocket fire on the western Negev this morning. 2011: Hundreds of people demonstrated in Jerusalem today in support of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, who was arrested that morning for questioning over incitement to racism and violence, and released in less than one hour. 2011(1st of Tammuz, 5771: Seventy-six year old Fred Newman whose “influential role in New York life and politics defied easy description” passed away. (As reported by Douglas Martin) nytimes/2011/07/10/nyregion/fred-newman-76-anti-party-advocate-in-new-york-city-politics-dies.html?pagewanted=all 2012: The European Union of Jewish Students is scheduled to sponsor “Sharing Our Common Past: Christian and Jewish students” where young Jews and Catholics come together in Krakow to look for answers to the following questions: What divides us? What do we have in common? How can we work together? What are our roles and niches in contemporary Europe? 2012: American hard rockers Guns N Roses who are heading back to Israel for the first time since 1993 are scheduled to perform at Hayarkon Park along with support acts Ugly Joe Kid and local favorites Hayehudim 2012: In the midst of a record-breaking heat wave, friends and family of David Levin prepare to celebrate the birthday of one “cool dude.” 2012: Kadima party chairman Shaul Mofaz, angered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dissolution of a Kadima-led panel tasked with drafting new universal draft legislation yesterday, refused to meet with Netanyahu on today to try to solve a crisis that threatens the stability of the national unity government. 2012: Today the state prosecutor filed an indictment against an ultra-Orthodox man for defacing the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum and two IDF war memorials. At Yad Vashem, the graffiti he allegedly sprayed included: “If Hitler hadn’t existed, the Zionists would have invented him.” Elhanan Ostrowitz, a 31-year-old Jerusalem resident, was charged at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for spraying anti-Zionist hate slogans at the sites and, apparently, has shown no remorse for his actions. 2013: “Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait” which “was co-curated with Winehouses brother Alex and sister-in-law Riva” is scheduled to open at the Jewish Museum London. 2013: Friends and family are thrilled to be able to celebrate another birthday of David Levin whose many stellar qualities have outstripped my list of superaltives 2013: In Tel Aviv, the U.S. Embassy is scheduled to host the July 4th Celebration which will include remarks by the U.S. Ambassador, the Israeli President and the Israeli Prime Minister. 2013(25th of Tammuz, 5773): At Camp Tawonga, a Jewish summer camp in Northern California Annais Rosenberg, a counselor, was killed today when a tree fell through the dinning hall. Twenty campers were also injured (As reported by JTA and the Jewish Press) 2013: Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, a candidate for Sephardi chief rabbi, was due to be summoned today by Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein for a hearing, following a request by MK Eitan Cabel (Labor) earlier this week that the rabbi be disqualified from running due to “racist” comments he’d made about Arab citizens of Israel. (As reported by The Times of Israel) 2013: The Administrator General announced today that a group led by businessman Ori Allon has purchased a 60 percent stake of Hapoel Jerusalem previously owned by Guma Aguiar. Following Aguiars disappearance at sea off the coast of Florida a year ago, his ownership stake was put up for sale. The Allon group was confirmed today as the winner of the auction held by the Administrator General after promising to invest NIS 15 million in the club over the next three seasons.(As reported by Allon Sinai) 2014: Pears Institute for the study of Antisemitism in partnership with the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology is scheduled to host Dr Becky Taylor, Dr Matt Cook and Dr Jessica Reinisch speaking on “Histories of Prejudice: Persecuting Others.” 2014: As “Arthur” threatens to “rain on the holiday weekend,” nothing can dampen the enthusiasm of those celebrating the birthday of David Levin whose wit and wisdom would lighten even the darkest storm.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 04:34:34 +0000
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