Subject: Unknown Subject

This article, published in *The Jewish Messenger* on February 3, 1865 (Shevat 7, 5625), reprints a letter from Dr. Illowy, Rabbi of a New Orleans congregation, responding to a committee's request to retract his censure of Mr. Goldenberg, a member of the congregation, regarding the circumcision of children of non-Israelite mothers. Dr. Illowy defends his actions, citing rabbinic authorities and arguing against the admission of such children into Judaism without sincere conversion, highlighting the potential harm to the Jewish community. He discusses the legal and religious aspects of conversion and the implications of performing circumcision without the appropriate religious observances.

This is a fragment of a news clipping. There are notes (not in English) in both margins. The letter discusses proselytes and their acceptance into the Jewish faith, referencing Ezra and Iben Ezra. The author expresses hope that the letter will change opinions concerning proselytes. The letter fragment is from *The Occident*, Vol. XXIII, No. 1 (April 1865), p. 30-33.

Letter from Bernard Illowy to Isaac Leeser, written in New Orleans on January 19, 1865. Illowy discusses the increase in the number of converts to Judaism in the United States, arguing that many of these conversions are motivated by marriage rather than genuine religious conviction. He cites various Talmudic passages to support his view that the rabbis were generally wary of proselytization. The letter is six pages long and includes extensive quotations in Hebrew.