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We
are gratified to be able to lay before the public the interesting
communication of our Savannah correspondent, touching the history of the
Jewish community of that city; and we hope that those who have access to
the materials, will have the goodness to furnish us at the earliest
possible date with all such historical reminiscences as may be of
sufficient interest to be spread before the public. We especially remind
our friends in New York and Baltimore to furnish us soon with the
historical materials for which we have asked them. In the mean time, we
return our thanks to our valued friend in Savannah, and trust that he
may occasionally enrich our pages with his contributions.
"The
Voice Of Jacob" is, as our readers know, the name of the
Jewish paper issued in London by Mr. Jacob A. Franklin. It is filled
with many valuable notices relative to the history of the day, of things
occurring in England and the continent of Europe, of the deepest
interest to those who are natives of the Old World. If even, our space
were not generally too much preoccupied, it would not altogether suit
the plan of our periodical to copy mere news articles; and as hitherto
the papers have always been several months old before they reaced us,
and as they have a somewhat extended circulation in this country and the
West Indies, we have not made as much use of their contents as we would
undoubtedly have done under other circumstances. We do not mean to say
that the "Voice" is merely a newspaper; far from it, since it
contains many well written essays, criticisms, pieces of poetry, and
doctrinal papers concerning Jewish theology, which will always make it
valuable as a work for future reference. We acknowledge also that we are
indebted to its columns for several news articles which we have copied
thence without the customary credit; and we hope that our friend will
accept this general acknowledgment as a sufficient atonement for our
want of the usual courtesy which prevails among editors; and in return,
we should be truly happy were he to quote largely from the pages of the
Occident. We are also obliged to him for his very favourable notice of
our labours, and trust that we shall always deserve his approbation, as
long as we shall occupy the editorial chair. In conclusion, we invite
the attention of our readers to the advertisement of
the Voice of Jacob, which appeared in the two first numbers of the
Occident, and we shall be happy to receive orders for the third volume
of our Jewish contemporary, which will commence about the beginning of
the year, 5604, and hand them over to the agent of the work in this
city, H. Cohen, Esq.
The
Israelite, is the name of a new weekly paper, in the German
tongue, the first number of which, has just been issued by Mr.
Wollenweber, of this city, under the editorship of Mr. Julius Stern. The
contents are a well written introductory by the editor, in which he
sketches his proposed plan of operations, and urges the usefulness of a
newspaper devoted to the cause of Judaism in America, in the German
language, since so many Israelites whose vernacular it is are now spread
over the entire Union from the banks of the Hudson to the Mississippi,
and from the Atlantic to the Missouri. He disclaims all pretensions to
the high learning which characterizes the Jewish editors of Europe, and
states that as a plain business man, he feels himself impelled to
endeavour to spread among his brethren, with the blessing of the Master
of all works, such practical useful information as may best advance the
cause of the religion of Horeb. The next following articles arc
selections from European publications and Talmudical anecdotes, and a
short editorial on business matters. Then follows a well written essay
"on the excellence of the Mosaic laws," which is to be
continued in a future number. In this we remark one error: that of
ascribing the ceremonies attending the sacrifice of the first Passover
lamb in Egypt, to the future sacrifices of this nature. The next article
is a portion of a biographical sketch of Moses Maimonides, chiefly
compiled from German sources, in which we detect several expressions
which we cannot approve of, and which we are certain the editor will
endeavour to avoid in future. We then have correspondence and notices.
The last page of the paper contains an excellent article "on the
influence which the idea of religion displays on our happiness," in
which the editor pleads eloquently for the blessings which revelation
confers on man, and shows the cold and chilling effect which the
speculative philosophy of unbelief has upon the individual and society.
The last article is a pretty little piece of poetry by Samuel Hirsch
Lind, a gentleman of excellent acquirements, late a teacher in Marshall
College, Mercersburg, but now a resident of this city. We regret that
want of space compels us to be so brief in our notice of this new
claimaint for public favour, for which we ask the aid and countenance of
all friends of religion in this country. We say this without the least
feeling of jealousy; as there is ample room for a monthly periodical
like the Occident, a semi-monthly sheet like the Voice of Jacob, and a
weekly organ like the Israelite, and the more our friends are encouraged
in their laudable efforts, the more shall we hope to have our humble
endeavours in the good cause appreciated and rewarded.
In
conclusion, we wish to state that should sufficient aid be offered, the
Israelite will appear every Friday, at $1.50 per annum, payable to L. A.
Wollenweber, No. 277 North Third street, Philadelphia. If our friends
would wish to make us the medium of their communications with the editor
or proprietor, they may address them to us, and we will take care that
they shall reach their destination. We invite our German friends to
contribute to Mr. Stern's paper, and request them to write their
articles in as familiar a style as is consistent with elegance.
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