Subject: Jewish Way of Life

Bill of exchange (number 610) issued in Curaçao on October 8, 1863, by the Ministerie van Kolonien (Ministry of Colonies) to the Jesurun family (Sarah, Rachael, Judith, Abigail, Gravia, Ester, and Moses) for 1000 guilders. This compensation was paid to former slave owners for the manumission of slaves previously owned by Moises Abraham Jesurun (d. 1853), a former parnas and mohel of the Mikveh Yisrael congregation. The document, signed by Governor J. D. Crol, bears numerous endorsements, seals, and stamps from various banking establishments, tracing its journey to Amsterdam, where it was redeemed on December 22, 1863. The bill consists of two leaves; the first is printed and filled, and the second is in manuscript form. This document relates to the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colonies in 1863.

Billhead for H. Bloombargh, dealer in staple and fancy dry goods, dated April 2, 1873. The billhead lists two business addresses: Zeiss Brick Building, Brenham, TX and 466 Broadway, New York, NY. The billhead is signed by H. Bloombargh. The description also includes a newspaper clipping detailing the funeral of Mrs. Z. Bloombargh, wife of H. Bloombargh, which took place on Sunday evening. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Cohen of the Jewish Synagogue of Galveston.

Billhead from the mercantile business of Isidor Bush, located at the southeast corner of 4th and Elm Streets in St. Louis, Missouri. Dated March 30, 1874. The billhead notes that Bush was a leader in the Jewish community and founded the first Jewish weekly newspaper in New York City in 1849, which lasted only three months. Correspondence with Isaac Leeser is also mentioned.

Billhead of Solomon Gans, dated May 22, 1865. Gans's business address is listed as 409 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The description notes that Gans was active in Jewish affairs and reported an income of $64,819.00 in 1864.

A business letter written by Isidor Bush of Isidor Bush & Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 4, 1874, to C.D. Champlin. The letter mentions a large lithograph of Bush's store located at the southeast corner of 4th and Elm Streets in St. Louis. The letter also references Bush's role as a leader in the St. Louis Jewish community and his involvement with the founding of the first Jewish weekly newspaper in New York City in 1849.

A check for $10,000, dated February 1, 1862, issued by Lewis I. Cohen to Broadway Bank in New York City. The check is also signed by New York City Mayor George Opdyke and is related to revenue bonds. Cohen was known for his involvement in Jewish affairs.

A six percent loan bearer bond issued by the City of Philadelphia on January 13, 1872. This bond, part of a collection of ten, was issued to "Har Nevah Lodge No. 12 in trust for K. Goldberg, Joseph Cohen, R. Brunswick, S. Hamerschlay and M. Reese." The bonds feature illustrations of Philadelphia City Hall, early locomotives, a wharf, George Washington, a cobbler, and Benjamin Franklin. The collection includes bonds issued to various Jewish organizations and investors in Philadelphia, with amounts ranging from $100 to $9,000. Five bonds are dated in the 1850s, four in the 1860s, and one in 1872. Prominent recipients include Joseph L. Moss, Isaac J. Phillips, S. Tobias, S. M. Etting, Philip Nathans, and Aaron J. Seligman. Two bonds are issued to Henry Myer Phillips and his companion, Constant Guillon.

One of ten six percent loan bearer bonds issued by the City of Philadelphia on November 7, 1854. This particular bond was issued to Joseph L. Moss. The bonds feature illustrations of Philadelphia City Hall, early locomotives, a wharf, George Washington, a cobbler, and Benjamin Franklin. Each bond bears the signatures of the City Controller and Treasurer. These bonds, issued in varying amounts from $100 to $9,000, were issued to Jewish organizations and investors in Philadelphia. Five are dated in the 1850s; four in the 1860s; and one in 1872.

One of ten bearer bonds issued by the City of Philadelphia for a Six Per Cent Loan. This particular bond, dated January 3, 1862, was issued to "Har Nevah Lodge No. 12 in trust for K. Goldberg, Joseph Cohen, R. Brunswick, S. Hamerschlay and M. Reese." The bonds feature illustrations of Philadelphia City Hall, early locomotives, a wharf, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. Each bond bears the signatures of the City Controller and Treasurer. The bonds in the collection vary in amounts from $100 to $9,000 and were issued to various Jewish organizations and individuals in Philadelphia between the 1850s and 1872.

Collection of ten interest-bearing bearer bonds issued by the City of Philadelphia between the 1850s and 1872. Each bond features illustrations of Philadelphia City Hall, early locomotives, a wharf, George Washington, a cobbler, and Benjamin Franklin. The bonds were issued in varying amounts, ranging from $100 to $9,000, to Jewish organizations and individuals in Philadelphia. One bond, dated April 1, 1861, is specifically made out to "Har Nevah Lodge No. 12 in trust for K. Goldberg, Joseph Cohen, R. Brunswick, S. Hamerschlay, and M. Reese". Other notable recipients include prominent figures such as Joseph L. Moss, Isaac J. Phillips (Treasurer of the United Hebrew Beneficent Society), S. Tobias, S. M. Etting, Philip Nathans, Aaron J. Seligman, and Henry Myer Phillips (a congressman and leading authority on colonial currency). Two bonds were issued to Henry Myer Phillips and his companion, Constant Guillon.

Collection of nine out of ten interest-bearing bearer bonds issued by the City of Philadelphia. Dated between May 22, 1855, and 1872, these bonds were issued in varying amounts from $100 to $9,000 to Jewish organizations and individuals in Philadelphia. The bonds feature illustrations of Philadelphia City Hall, early locomotives, a wharf, George Washington, a cobbler, and Benjamin Franklin. Each bond bears the signatures of the City Controller and Treasurer. Among the bondholders were prominent Philadelphians including Joseph L. Moss, Isaac J. Phillips (Treasurer of the United Hebrew Beneficent Society), S. Tobias, S. M. Etting, Philip Nathans, and Henry Myer Phillips.

This collection comprises a group of five letters and documents spanning the years 1842-1863, primarily related to Isaac Leeser, a prominent rabbi and figure in the Jewish community of Philadelphia. The materials include personal correspondence, announcements of annual meetings for the Jewish Foster Home Society of Philadelphia, and an administrative record from Kaal Kodosh Beth El Emeth. Geographic locations referenced include Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; and Hackenburg, Pennsylvania. The letters cover topics ranging from financial matters to announcements of the Jewish Foster Home Society meetings. The collection contains Hebrew and English language materials.

Commercial letter written by Leo Stein of the Stein Manufacturing Company in Rochester, New York, to J.B. Judson on April 30, 1883. The letter inquires about paying a tax bill on 40 acres of land owned by Stein in Huron County, Michigan. The Stein Manufacturing Company produced cloth-covered caskets.

Notarized Document - This unique document is two folio pages (one large page folded) written on both sides. In summary, it is all so that Widow Elizabeth Schoyer can legally give consent for her daughter to marry. The 1st part are two pages (20% printed) first certifying that Elizabeth Schoyer is the widow of the late Abraham Schoyer who died in this city (NYC) on 1/31/1823 and is buried in the burying ground of the Hebrew Congregation of this city. She also certifies that he left the children with her…they are now are Raphael in Pa. age 23, Fanny in Amsterdam age 22 and Solomon/Jacob/David/Sarah all in Philadelphia and under the age of 21…Elizabeth then signs her name to those facts on 9/22/1824..then Judah Zuntz (active in Jewish affairs) signs as Notary. Next, Elizabeth then goes on to give her consent for Fanny Schoyer to marry Solomon Voorzanger of Amsterdam (It took place on Thursday 9 December 1824 ...the groom's mother was Sara Salomon Schoijer or Schoyer...the citation note that Fannie's father was Abraham Salomon Schoijer or Schoyer ). That consent is then signed by Elizabeth and notarized by Zuntz on 9/22/1824. This is an abbreviation of the substance on the first 2 pages (each 13"x 7 3/4"). The 3rd full page is a certification that the Register Book of the Congregation Shearith Israel lists "Abraham Schoyer a native of Amsterdam was buried in Beth Haim… this is by my hand and seal… M(oses) L(evi) M(aduro) Peixotto (1816-1828)". Peixotto signs in English and Hebrew and places his wax seal. Next, Harmon Hendricks as President of the Board of Trustees of Congregation Shearith notes what Peixotto said is true (in many more words)…Hendricks then signs a uses the seal of Congregation Shearith Israel. Lastly Judah Zuntz signs as Notary…using his seal. The 4th and last page is hand written note signed by William Paulding Jr. the Mayor of NYC on 9/281824 that Judah Zuntz is in fact an approved Notary.

This document is a court record from the Mayor's Court of New York City, dated November 20, 1813. Plaintiffs Naphtali Judah and Eleazer Lazarus request court expenses from defendant William Miller, Jr. Naphtali Judah was a trustee of Congregation Shearith Israel. Eleazer Lazarus was the son of Samuel Lazarus, a long-time New York City assessor, and editor of the Hebrew text for the first Hebrew prayer book published in North America. He married Zipporah Hart on November 1, 1809.

Dance card from the Eleventh Annual Purim Masquerade and Fancy Dress Charity Ball given by the Hebrew Benevolent Society at Germania Hall in New Haven, Connecticut on Thursday evening, March 10, 1887. The decorated cover features the event details, and the inside contains spaces for 15 dances with names. The back lists the committee members.

Deed transferring land in Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, dated April 13, 1838. Signed by Simon Gratz, Hyman Gratz, and Isaac Prince.

Legal documents pertaining to the estate settlement of Solomon Rich. The documents include a letter from attorney J.H. Riker and an estate settlement sheet detailing payments to Rev. Mendes, Rev. Isaacs, and Rev. Phillips for funeral expenses, a headstone, and burial at Temple Emanuel. Total disbursements exceeded $100,000. New York, New York. January 1, 1878.

Invitation and ticket - To the Hebrew Charity Ball, Academy of Music, Tuesday, February 15th, 1898. [Likely Philadelphia, c.1898]. [4]pp. Brochure + Ticket. Ticket stamped in red on recto and verso. The four-page, brochure-like Invitation lists eight Jewish charitable groups in Philadelphia and describes their work. These charities primarily served the needs of the poor, the sick, women, and immigrants. Organizations that benefitted included The United Hebrew Charities who assisted the "worthy poor," the Jewish Hospital Association..a nursing home for men and women, The Orphans' Guardians, and the Association of Jewish Immigrants. On the back of the Invitation brochure is a list of the Hebrew Charity Ball Association officers and members. All men. Over 90 names are listed including leading merchants such as Benjamin Gimbel and Samuel Lit and soap magnate and philanthropist, Joseph Fels. A rather plain Invitation and ticket reveals an organized network of charitable groups formed to help the vulnerable members of Philadelphia's Jewish community. Philadelphia Hebrew Charity Ball was an annual fundraising event that took place from 1855 until 1901. The ball was discontinued in 1901 when the Federation of Jewish Charities was formed. Tickets to the ball were $5; fairly pricey in late 19th century dollars. But it was fundraising for eight causes, actually. Women were particularly targeted for charitable assistance. It is reported that one beneficiary, the Jewish Maternity Association, conducts "a maternity hospital and dispensary and maintains a training school for nurses." The Young Women's Union received funds to educate children: "girls are thoroughly instructed in the domestic arts, and are provided with a common school education.

A business letter addressed to Jacob I. Cohen, Jr., president of the Baltimore Fire Insurance Company, concerning insurance on a house. Written in Frederick, Maryland, and addressed to Baltimore, Maryland, on October 12, 1850.

One-page letter written on December 27, 1867, by Charles Henry Moise to the law firm of Simons & Simons in Charleston, South Carolina. Moise requests information to aid in preparing his application to Union General Canby.

A three-page letter written by E. Pyke from Kingston, Jamaica to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1847. The letter details Jewish institutional matters in Jamaica, family events, and lists subscribers to *The Occident*.

A two-page letter written by I. Levinson of Cincinnati, Ohio to W. B. Hackenberg of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 7, 1868. Levinson disputes a $25.00 bill from the estate of Isaac Leeser, relating to the Occident and American Jewish Advocate. A handwritten note by Hackenberg on the second page suggests a partial payment.

A two-and-a-half-page letter written by Isaac Strouse of Pittsburgh on October 4th (year given in Hebrew letters, circa late 1840s) to Isaac Leeser. Strouse details his recovery from a devastating fire which destroyed his possessions, inquires about a three-year subscription to Leeser's periodical, and encloses $10 for the subscription and a book, "Anthology of Rabbi's," previously published in Philadelphia. He also provides a brief postscript instructing Leeser to use the money for additional issues of *The Occident* if the book wasn't one of his publications. The letter provides a rare account of the Great Pittsburgh Fire of 1845 and offers insights into the Jewish community of Pittsburgh in the mid-19th century. The letter also mentions the establishment of the Beth Almon Society and the growth of the Jewish population in Pittsburgh during this period.

A letter written by J. B. Alexander to Solomon Etting on March 6, 1832, concerning a land matter involving Simon Gratz. The letter discusses efforts to contact Gratz, possibly in relation to the settlement of Bernard Gratz's estate. It also mentions a deed from David Franks to Bernard Gratz dated October 18, 1780. A copy of the letter was sent to S. Gratz the previous day. The letter was written in Baltimore, Maryland.

A single-page handwritten letter from the wife of the founder of the wealthy Joseph family of Montreal, inviting Isaac Leeser to the wedding of her youngest daughter, Esther, to Rabbi Abraham DeSola of Montreal. The letter is dated November 7, 1849, although the wedding actually took place in June 1852. The letter originates from Montreal, Canada.

A letter written by Myer Wineman to Asher D. Cohen on May 2, 1889, in Jacksonville, Florida. The letter, written on El Modelo Cigar Mfg. letterhead, discusses Wineman's inability to assist Cohen, stating that it is not due to religious reasons. The letterhead lists Herman Myers as President and Sego Myers as Secretary-Treasurer.

A one-page letter dated August 3, 1862, from N. Kahn to Isadore Binswanger in Hagerstown, Maryland. Kahn requests that Binswanger place an advertisement for a Hebrew teacher in the Occident, offering an annual salary of $300. The letter provides a glimpse into the early Jewish community of Hagerstown and its efforts to secure religious leadership. Information from the Congregation B'nai Abraham's website suggests that the Jewish community in Hagerstown held services intermittently between 1840 and 1875, often utilizing the Presbyterian Church on South Potomac Street. This illustrates the early interfaith cooperation in the area. The letter is part of a larger collection reflecting the early history of the Jewish community in Hagerstown, Maryland.

One-and-one-eighth page letter from Rabbi S. M. Isaacs to Isaac Leeser, written circa 1850. The letter discusses concerns about the non-publication of an article by Mark Jacobs and Isaacs' refusal to allow Leeser to publish one of his sermons. The letter was written from New York City and addressed to Leeser in Philadelphia.

A letter written by Solomon Moses to Harman Hendricks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 19, 1828. The letter pertains to copper and other business matters. Solomon Moses was active in Jewish affairs and married to Rachel Gratz (sister of Rebecca Gratz). He received his business training in his father Isaac Moses' counting house in New York City.

Letter written by Talcott Williams to Mayer Sulzberger on circa 1880-1890 concerning the death of Sulzberger's parents, his congregation, and his will. The letter originates from 331 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Newspaper clipping from the New York Herald, dated April 21, 1865, detailing funeral services held for Abraham Lincoln in New York City. The article specifically mentions services at Bnai Israel, Bikur Cholim U. Kadisha, and Shaari Zedek synagogues, providing details of the sermons and events.

Post-Civil War token issued by Simon, Sig., located at 30 W. 2nd South St., Salt Lake City, Utah. The token is inscribed "GOOD FOR 5 CENTS IN TRADE." Additional notes indicate that Simon, Sig. was President of B'nai Israel in the 1890s.

Printed broadside letter to the creditors of the bankrupt Bank of Louisiana, dated May 28, 1870. The letter lists numerous creditors, many Jewish individuals and organizations, including the Shiff family, Hebrew Congregation Shangari, and the Israelites Charitable Association. The amounts owed vary, with the Shiff family's debt significantly larger than others.

Program for the Annual Hebrew Charity Ball held at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 26, 1876. The program features a decorated cover with original colored string and lists the names of committee members. It is ten pages in length.

Four-page program for the Third Annual Purim Ball held at Centre Square Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania on March 22, 1886. The cover features an embossed image of Queen Esther. The interior lists the names of numerous individuals involved in the event.

This receipt book documents financial transactions from 1804 to 1811, primarily involving numerous Jewish brokers and firms in Philadelphia. The book features receipts from S. E. Wein, M. E. Cohen, M. Gratz (connected to Rebecca Gratz), and M. Israel, as well as firms like Humes & Etting and Israel Goldsmith & Co. The entries reflect commercial activity and business dealings within Philadelphia's Jewish community during this period.

Receipt for an offering of $0.50 to Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The receipt is signed by Hyman Gratz as gabay (treasurer) and countersigned by I.D. Young or I. DeGouny. Dated January 1, 1840.

Regulations for the Netherlands Israelite Community of Suriname. Printed by Labat & Zoon in Paramaribo in 1895. This book contains the regulations of the Jewish community in Suriname.

A seven-page (including three cross-hatched pages) letter from Abraham Joseph to Tobias I. Tobias in London, dated December 12, 1822. The letter contains community and commercial news and reports. This stampless letter is part of a larger collection purchased on January 7, 2013.

Program for the festive Hanukkah celebration held by Tikwat Jisrael in 1939. Published in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Invitation and song sheet commemorating the marriage of Ida Jones and E. H. Springer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 17, 1878. Ida Jones was the daughter of Alfred T. Jones, a prominent figure in Philadelphia's Jewish community, founder and publisher of the *Jewish Record*.

This archival collection contains two sets of invitations. The first is a complete set of four cards announcing the marriage of Mary Goldsmith to Solomon Frank at the Greene Street Synagogue in New York City, circa late 1860s. A reception followed at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, 454 West 34th Street. The second invitation announces the celebration of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Goldsmith, to be held at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, 284 West 34th Street. Rev. Raphael and Rev. S.M. Isaacs were to deliver addresses at the event. The invitations suggest the Goldsmith family was prominent in the New York Jewish community.

Small wooden container shaped like a bullet, used to hold #1 Everpoint pencil leads. The label reads: '#1 EVERPOINT LEADS; HENRY COHEN, PHILA.,PA.' It still contains lead inside. This stationary firm belonged to Henry Cohen, a leader in the Philadelphia Jewish community and father of Mary Cohen. Date of creation estimated to be around 1890.