A two-page letter written by Henry Myers, secretary of the United Hebrew Congregation of St. Louis, Missouri, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 6, 1849. The letter details the significant growth of the congregation, noting attendance at High Holidays and praising their new Hazzan, Nathan Davidson. This letter was subsequently published in *The Occident* (Vol. VII, No. 9, Kislev 5610, December 1849).
Subject: Jewish congregations -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- History -- 19th century
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This 7.5" x 10" letter, written in German with an accompanying translation, was sent from Rabbi Bernard Illowy to Isaac Leeser around 1853. Illowy requests copies of past issues of *The Occident* and mentions Messrs. B. Abeles and Grunsfelder in relation to outstanding funds. The letter provides insight into the relationship between Illowy and Leeser, which later soured, and offers a glimpse into the Philadelphia Jewish community of the time. Rabbi Illowy arrived in America in 1852 as the first Orthodox Rabbi with a PhD. He held rabbinical positions in various cities, including Philadelphia, St. Louis, Syracuse, Baltimore, and New Orleans. A renowned scholar and speaker, he engaged in significant polemical exchanges with Reform leaders, his writings appearing in publications like *The Asmonean*, *The Israelite*, *The Jewish Messenger*, and *The Occident*.