Subject: Jewish congregations -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Blank printed receipt from Congregation Mikveh Israel for an offering for the year 56xx (circa 1830s). The receipt is printed in Hebrew and English. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Printed broadside advertising the annual sale of seats in Congregation Mikveh Israel synagogue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dated 1881, it includes details on pricing for various seat classes (upstairs and downstairs), annual fees for members and renters, and rules for seat renters. The broadside also notes that unpurchased seats will be auctioned on September 11, 1881. Extracts from the Board of Directors' meeting minutes of March and June 1881 are included.

Receipt issued by Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 8, 1850, for a quarterly subscription. The receipt includes partial Hebrew text and indicates payment by M. Cauffman.

Handwritten letter from Moses Waterman in San Francisco, California to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated November 9, 1865. The letter discusses payment for Machzorim and an advertisement in the Occident regarding the death of Joseph Mayer of Congregation Ohabai Shalome.

Ticket to High Holiday services at Congregation Shari Eli in 1977. The ticket misspells "High Holidays" as "High Holly Days." The ticket is from the congregation's location at Eighth and Porter Streets. Congregation Shari Eli, founded in 1916, is described as a struggling Young People's Congregation located at 728 W. Moyamensing Ave. in South Philadelphia. It originated as the orthodox congregation Shari Torah. In 1948, a group of younger members from the former orthodox synagogue Shari Eli at Eighth and Porter Streets bought the building and established South Philadelphia's first conservative synagogue. The English translation of Shari Eli is "Gate of God."

Color invitation to an event at the Museum Parkway and Twenty-First Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The invitation was sent to Etta Mastbaum and is in its original envelope. The date of the event is November 29, 1929. Connection to Mikveh Israel Congregation is noted.

Broadside invitation to the laying of the cornerstone of the new Mikveh Israel Synagogue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 9, 1859. The invitation notes that the sale of the cornerstone and other honors will take place on Sunday, May 8th, at the Cherry Street Synagogue. Numerous names are listed on the invitation. The invitation is dated May 3, 1859.

A four-page printed letter dated August 10, 1850, from Abraham de Sola, Rabbi of the Portuguese and Spanish Congregation of Montreal, to the members of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. De Sola seeks the position of rabbi, recently vacated by Isaac Leeser, and includes numerous testimonials. The letter is a broadside.

A letter dated November 8, 1840, addressed to David Samuel, Secretary of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter, from an unidentified author (possibly the Parnas, though the signature is illegible), urges the enforcement of bylaws leading to membership forfeiture for those not regularly attending synagogue services. Specific individuals named include A.M. Cohen, J.L. Cohen, L.M. Cohen, E.L. Cohen, Jacob Nathan, and Jacob Gratz.

Letter written in Yiddish and transliterated into English from Benny Salinger, Secretary of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, to Mayer Sulzberger on July 1, 1880. The letter, written on institutional letterhead, discusses the Philadelphia Congregation's Constitution.

Two-page letter written by G & J Seiling Co. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, dated May 28, 1857. Addressed to Rabbi Isaac Leeser, the letter proposes the company's services to paint the new Beth El Emeth Synagogue in Philadelphia. The letter highlights the company's credentials and experience. The letter contains several misspellings. Annotation notes that Rabbi Leeser 'wore many hats'.

A two-page letter written by Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to David Judah in Baltimore, Maryland on May 9, 1830. The letter discusses Leeser's dissatisfaction with his congregants in Philadelphia, his financial difficulties, and his relationship with Judah.

Three-page letter dated October 1, 1850, from Rabbi M. N. Nathan and Gershom Kursheedt in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Rabbi Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter discusses the contract between K.K. Beni Israel and Rabbi Nathan, expresses indignation at Leeser's treatment by Mikveh Israel Congregation, and offers advice regarding Leeser's future.

A one-page letter dated May 3, 1854, from Moses Ehrlich in Boston, Massachusetts, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter discusses the controversy surrounding Judah Touro's bequests and the conflict between recently arrived Eastern European Jews and the German Jewish establishment in Philadelphia. Ehrlich requests Leeser to publish congregational resolutions related to the dispute and to intervene with the estate's executors.

Letter dated February 15, 1857, from Simon Noah, Assistant Secretary of Congregation Bnai Israel in Philadelphia, to Isaac Leeser. The letter conveys the congregation's unanimous vote of thanks to Leeser for his assistance and sermons, particularly his address at the synagogue's consecration. The congregation granted Leeser a lifetime seat and membership privileges as a token of their appreciation. A postscript encourages Leeser to enhance the tribute to further his reputation. Congregation Bnai Israel was established in 1852 and disbanded in 1879. The letter is housed in Arc.MS.56, Box 12, Folder 6.

On June 10, 1829, Jacob Mordecai of Richmond, Virginia, wrote a letter recommending Isaac Leeser for the position of Hazan at Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter, addressed to Raphael De Cordova, is a glowing endorsement of Leeser's suitability for the role.

Broadside certificate issued to Rebecca Gratz on October 27, 1845, granting her a lifetime seat (#14, upstairs) at Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. The certificate was issued following renovations to the synagogue. Signed by Abraham Hart.

Handwritten manuscript notebook containing the minutes of the Building Committee of Congregation Mickveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from January 2, 1859, to May 30, 1860. This meticulously kept record documents the construction of the congregation's new synagogue on 7th Street above Arch Street. The minutes detail meetings, discussions with contractors and architects, and decisions related to the building's design and construction. The notebook includes a list of committee members, prominent figures in the Philadelphia Jewish community, and members of the Board of Managers, including Abraham Hart as Parnas. The final meeting notes express gratitude to the contractor and architect. The cornerstone was laid on May 9, 1859, and the building was dedicated on May 24, 1860. The manuscript is in excellent condition with normal aging. The construction of this synagogue is further detailed in the work "The Jews of Phila." by Morais, published in 1894.

Multi-page newspaper report from Niles' Weekly Register, dated May 6, 1843, detailing the consecration ceremony of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The report provides an in-depth account of the event, including details of the synagogue and its significance.

Printed letter from the Board of Managers of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated June 30, 1833. The letter outlines the financial responsibilities of members and the congregation's rights regarding collecting outstanding debts. The letter is addressed to Z. Phillips.

A receipt issued by Hyman Gratz, Gabay of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, acknowledging receipt of a $1.00 offering from Solomon N. Carvalho on October 23, 1854. The receipt is endorsed on the back by Carvalho. The year is also written as 5614 in Hebrew.

Receipt issued by Hyman Gratz, Gabay (treasurer) of Mikveh Israel Congregation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, acknowledging receipt of a $2.03 offering from I.N. Solomon. A notation on the back indicates that the payment has not been received from D.I. Pike. Dated October 18, 1841.

A receipt issued on October 16, 1849, by Hyman Gratz, Gabay of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to A. Benjamin for twelve dollars, for the rent of seat number 32. The receipt is written in English and/or Hebrew.

A faded and partially illegible receipt issued by S. Gans, acting as Gabay (representative) of Mikveh Israel Synagogue, to Mariam Gratz Etting. The receipt is for the rental of a seat, specifically located upstairs in the synagogue. The receipt was found among estate papers and the date is September 27, 1876.

This document is a receipt issued by Hyman Gratz, as gabay (trustee) of Mikveh Israel Synagogue, to Solomon N. Carvalho for the rent of seat #93. The receipt indicates a payment of six dollars and is dated October 16, 1849. Carvalho's endorsement is visible on the reverse. The receipt mentions Carvalho's profession as a painter and photographer.

Printed receipt, in Hebrew and English, issued by Hyman Gratz, Gabay of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, to Abraham Depaux for the rent of seat number 32, for twelve dollars. Dated September 16, 1839.

Printed receipt in Hebrew and English issued by I. Gans, Gabay of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 24, 1873. The receipt acknowledges payment of thirty dollars from Mrs. Lazarus for the rental of seat number 39 (upstairs).

Printed receipt in Hebrew and English issued by I. Gans, Gabay of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Miss A. Lazarus for the rental of seat number 40, upstairs, for thirty dollars. Dated September 24, 1873.

A resolution, likely written by Isaac Leeser, granting permission for the burial of Frederick Samuel, a non-member of Mikveh Israel, in the cemetery. The resolution stipulates that services and shiva be conducted by Leeser and that a fee of $100 be paid. The document is undated but is clearly in Leeser's hand and is estimated to be from the early 1840s. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1842.

Broadside outlining revised rules for purchasing honors related to the dedication of a new temple in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 5, 1823. The document includes an address by W. David Nathans, who had the honor of dedicating six steps at the Parnassus. Not listed in Singerman.