Letter from Dr. Isaac Mayer Wise in Albany, NY, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA. Wise requests Leeser send copies of *The Occident* to several individuals in Albany and Hudson, NY. He also mentions a payment issue with a former agent, Mr. Nysinger, who is in prison, and asks Leeser to send him a statement regarding his account for *Tefillot*. Wise apologizes for the brevity of the letter, explaining that he is ill.
Letter from Louis Spanier of Albany, NY to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA. Spanier encloses a draft for $14 due to Leeser. He regrets that the price of Portuguese Machsorim is too high for him to purchase. He mentions that his eldest daughter Leah is married to Mr. S. Hamm of New York and lives at No. 54 West 22nd Street. He expresses his happiness to see Leeser next summer. His wife and son send their respects.
A four-page letter responding to an article in the April issue of *The Occident* written by someone using the pseudonym "Truth." The writer, identified only as "W.," critiques "Truth's" understanding of the periodical's purpose and the principles of Judaism, disagreeing with the interpretation of several aspects of Jewish law and practice. The letter includes references to figures such as Moses, Maimonides, Hillel, and Ezra, and engages with debates regarding the observance of festivals, the use of the organ in synagogues, and the role of Jewish scholarship in public discourse. The letter is addressed to Isaac Leeser, editor of *The Occident*, and written in Philadelphia.
Letter from Simon Newburg to Isaac Leeser requesting that Leeser insert enclosures in his monthly publication and send the bill. The letter is written from Albany, NY and addressed to Leeser in Philadelphia, PA.
Wise writes to Leeser regarding the election of a new cantor in Philadelphia, expressing his disappointment but also offering encouragement. He describes the current state of his own synagogue, noting its popularity in contrast to others. He details the success of a recent concert given by his choir, composed of young people, and mentions the abolition of a practice in his congregation related to singing. He also inquires about Miss L.R.T. and Mrs. R.H., expressing interest in corresponding with them. The letter concludes with well-wishes and a signature.
Letter from Isaac Mayer Wise to Isaac Leeser. Wise writes from Albany, NY, expressing his regret at not being able to travel through Philadelphia to New York. He discusses his recent election in Charleston, South Carolina, and his plans to leave Albany on April 15th. He also mentions his writing for the Occident and Asmonean, fundraising efforts, and his impressions of Dr. Raphael's lectures. The letter also includes a personal request for two prayers, written in Hebrew, from Leeser.
Letter from Isaac Mayer Wise to Isaac Leeser discussing a legal victory in Albany, NY, against Louis Spanier. Wise details the court's decision, which establishes the rights of ministers and the illegality of certain actions by the Parnass (congregation president). He requests Leeser publish the seven points of the court's decision to clear his name and inform the public. The letter includes Hebrew words and phrases.
Letter from G. Oppenheim to Isaac Leeser instructing him to discontinue sending the Occident until further notice. The letter includes payment of $3 for twelve issues already received. The letter is written on a single sheet of lined paper and includes a wax seal.
Letter from David Walser, librarian, in Albany, NY, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA, requesting that the publications of the publication society be sent to Rev. Dr. Wise in Albany. The letter mentions a school library for the Beth-El school and the deposit of money for the society.
Isaac Mayer Wise writes to Isaac Leeser thanking him for a copy of his Bible and commenting on Dr. Huerst's Bibliotheca Judaica. Wise also asks Leeser to send him a list of his own books and those he edited, and notes that he is sending Leeser the first volume of his history by mail, requesting criticism on specific passages which he lists. He also discusses his friend Kalisch, and his own work.
Letter from Dr. Isaac Mayer Wise in Albany, NY, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA, dated September 20, 1851 (5611). Wise describes a conflict within a congregation, specifically detailing the actions of L. Spanier and the resulting division. He discusses the charges brought against him, the illegality of a meeting convened by Spanier, and the subsequent creation of a new congregation. The letter also includes a request for copies of Leeser's weekly paper and a mention of responding to Mr. Miller's letter at a later date. The letter is written in English with some Hebrew words and phrases.
A letter from Isaac Mayer Wise to Isaac Leeser, written in Albany, NY on August 19, 1850. The letter discusses the internal conflicts within a Jewish congregation, focusing on the actions of a Parnass (president) named Spanier. Wise details Spanier's alleged manipulative tactics, including financial maneuvering, suppressing dissenting voices, and accusations against Dr. Wise. The letter highlights the divisions within the congregation, characterized as a clash between those who support order and those who sow discord. Wise describes Spanier's actions as Jesuitical and accuses him of working against the interests of Dr. Wise and the congregation's stability. The letter also mentions a disagreement regarding the Sabbath observance and the congregation's financial situation.
Letter from Isaac Mayer Wise to Isaac Leeser discussing the publication of Wise's works. Wise mentions that if his works cannot be sold, they are not worth publishing. He discusses a forthcoming fourth maxim, its historical context concerning Christianity, and his use of the name of God. He also mentions a young man who will teach in his school, and expresses his intention to send his works to England or translate them into German if they are not published in America. The letter also touches on difficulties faced by the Jewish community in Albany in building a new synagogue, and a visit from a young convert to Judaism. Wise concludes with a request for information regarding a publication society and sends regards from his family.
A letter discussing the necessity of a general liturgy in America, the writer argues for unity among American congregations and against the fragmentation caused by differing liturgical practices. They emphasize the importance of maintaining the word of God, the need for a unified Hebrew text, and the dangers of neglecting the Hebrew language and traditional rituals. The writer mentions Rabbi Wise's work on establishing a liturgy as a solution, expressing confidence in Rabbi Wise's approach. The letter continues with discussions about specific aspects of the liturgy, including the frequency of prayer, the appropriateness of certain liturgical practices, and the use of Hebrew in the service. The letter ends abruptly.
Letter from Louis Spanier in Albany, NY, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA. Spanier requests Leeser to publish a proclamation in his paper, the Occident, which had already been printed in the Asmonean. He also asks Leeser to get experts to consider the proclamation and comment on it, as he plans to hold a congregational meeting to discuss objections to Dr. Wise. Spanier expresses concern about the lack of awareness among the Jewish public regarding the importance of these issues and stresses the letter's private nature. The letter is written in both English and German.
Letter from Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise to Isaac Leeser, written from Albany, NY, offering a position to a young man to receive education in the Hebrew ministry at his house in Albany. The letter describes resources available to the young man including a synagogue, choir, school, and Rabbi Wise's library and assistance.
Letter from Isaac Straus in Albany, NY, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA, dated November 15, 1849. Straus describes his recent move to America, the loss of three children, and his search for a rabbinical position. He requests Leeser to mention him in his periodical, *The Occident*, to help him find a suitable position.
Letter from Isaac Mayer Wise in Albany, NY to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA, dated September 8, 1851. Wise describes the formation of a new congregation, Anshe Emeth, in Albany following a dispute with Congregation Beth El. He details the election of officers for the new congregation and mentions his role as its Rabbi. He also mentions upcoming lectures and expresses hope to see Leeser soon. The letter includes some Hebrew words and references.
This eleven-page letter, written in English and Hebrew, discusses the principles of prayer and the structure of the liturgy. The writer, Isaac Mayer Wise, lays out his ideas for a new liturgy, emphasizing the importance of hymns and praises to God, and rejecting the inclusion of curses or supplications. He also advocates for the use of Hebrew in prayer, believing that the language itself elevates the experience. The letter is addressed to Isaac Leeser and John Samuel and includes additional correspondence from Joseph and LJ. There are also sections discussing the school of Padua and Wise's own writings, including his history of the Israelites and his views on Jewish jurisprudence.
Letter from Isaac Mayer Wise to Isaac Leeser, editor of The Occident, criticizing an article in the April issue written by someone using the pseudonym "Truth." Wise takes issue with "Truth's" interpretations of Jewish law and the role of a Jewish journal, arguing that "Truth" misrepresents the importance of history and Jewish practice. He also criticizes "Truth's" attacks on other writers in the journal and the Charleston Congregation's method of reading the Bible. The letter is written in English with some Hebrew interspersed.
Letter from Louis Spanier to Isaac Leeser requesting a bill for the Occident and inquiring about the price of a set of Portuguese machzorim with daily prayers and translation. Spanier also mentions selling a family Bible from his stock.
Letter from Dr. Isaac Mayer Wise in Albany, NY, to Reverend Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, PA. Wise requests that Leeser send 24 copies of Pyke's Scriptural questions to 73 Westerlo Street. The reverse of the letter contains a list of names, possibly place names, and some numbers written upside down.
Isaac Leeser denies writing a letter to New York cautioning people against giving to a congregation of seceders. He demands the name of the person who spread the falsehood. He mentions correspondence with Mr. Lyons and Mr. Kursheedt.
Two-page letter written in German and Hebrew from Dr. Wise to Isaac Leeser. The letter discusses the lack of receipt of an Occident, work on a book about the immortality of the soul ("Essay on immortality with physical evidences"), and mentions the Messrs. Beckel.
Letter from Isaac Leeser discussing various topics, including a public examination of children at a school in Albany, a fair held in St. Thomas, and news from Russia regarding Jews in military service. He also mentions his own health, his work, and his opinions on a new edition of the Portuguese service. The letter includes details about the Albany school, including the teachers and curriculum. It also discusses a fair held for the benefit of a Sunday school in St. Thomas. Further topics include a new edict from Emperor Nicholas regarding Jews in the Russian military and the author's health and work.