Subject: Liturgy

Six-page letter (8 x 12 inches), primarily in English with interspersed Hebrew, titled "ALBANY FOR THE OCCIDENT" and "AMERICAN LITURGY." Likely written circa late 1840s or early 1850s, it offers an early critique of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise's reform activities in Albany by an Orthodox member of the Albany community. The letter mocks Wise, referring to him as "Rev. Beth Din," and discusses his attempts at liturgical reform and the establishment of a unified American Jewish ritual. The author expresses concern over the potential schisms within the Jewish community caused by these reforms and also cites Mr. L. and the Occident. The letter is missing a page that likely contained the writer's signature. This remarkable document, sent to Leeser's Occident, provides rare insight into the early stages of the Reform movement in America.

Two volumes bound as one, containing prayers for the New Year's Feast, in Hebrew and English. The cover is made of celluloid and brass, with carved bone decoration. Intended for the US market.

This is a Haggadah, a Jewish liturgical text used during the Passover Seder. This edition, the tenth stereotype edition, includes an English translation and was published in 1872 by L.H. Frank at 687 Broadway.

Autograph letter signed by Isaac Harby, written in Charleston, South Carolina on May 5, 1826, to E. P. Cohen. The letter discusses the historical arguments for not wearing a head covering in the temple, representing an early American document in the history of Reform Judaism. Harby, a key figure in the early American Reform movement, presents his own research and interpretation of scripture on this topic.

This is a prayer book containing the afternoon (Mincha) and evening (Maariv) services, according to the Portuguese Jewish rite (Minhag). Published in Amsterdam in 1865 by Lopes Cardozo Jr., this prayerbook belonged to Reverend Chazan J.J. Levie, who served the Jewish Community of Paramaribo, Suriname from 1860 to 1888. It contains his handwritten notes and name. This is one volume of a three-volume set.

This 11-page book, from the library of Rabbi Dr. David de Sola Pool, records the proposed changes to the liturgy of New Orleans' Portuguese Congregation Nefutzot Yehudah (Dispersed of Judah) in 1875. It details the motions supporting the revisions and the counterarguments presented by Rabbi Joseph Hayim Mendes Chumaceiro, who opposed the changes. The Congregation Nefutzot Yehudah merged with Congregation Shaarei Chesed in 1881 to form the present-day Touro Synagogue of New Orleans.

This 33-page book contains the liturgy and customs for a special annual fast day observed by New York's Gemilath Chassadim Shel Emeth Burial Society in 1886. Published by the Jewish Gazette, the book features Hebrew text and details the society's unique liturgical practices for this day. The book shows some staining and is bound in contemporary marbled boards with original printed pink wrappers, though the gutter is split.

Handwritten manuscript containing regulations (Minhagim) for synagogue services. The manuscript, written in Dutch and partly in Hebrew, includes miniature manuscripts for the Chazan (cantor). Created in Suriname between 1860 and 1862.

This book, published by Bloch & Co. in Cincinnati in 1866, contains the Divine Service for the Day of Atonement used by American Israelites. The book includes 307 pages of liturgical text, plus an additional 55 pages of supplementary material. The book contains inscriptions from previous owners on the flyleaf.