Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Ein Besuch beim Judentum in New-York und Umgebung. Drei Vorträge von Dr. Josef S. Bloch (A Visit of the Jewry in New York and its Surroundings. Three lectures by Dr. Josef S. Bloch)

Wien: Oesterreichische Wochenschrift, 1912. First edition. Softcover. Duodecimo. 96pp. Original tan wraps with black lettering and publisher's device on cover, protected by modern mylar. Three lectures by Dr. Josef S. Bloch given after his return from America in Vienna.

The first lecture was given at the general assembly of the Austrian-Israel Union on April 17, 1912, in the hall of the Hotel Guth, Vienna. Dr. Bloch lectures about his impressions of his travels to America, referencing the tragic event of the sinking of the Titanic, on April 15, 1912, expressing his condolences for the victims and his concern for the survivors. Bloch, having travel from Cuxhaven on the Amerika of the Hamburg-Amerika Line, mentions the welcoming committee, including Bernard Semel, Bernard Türkel, Josef Barondes and others, and provides data on Jewish communities and general information about the Jewish population of 1,200,000 in America, a number that has doubled within the last 10 years as well as details about a bill negotiated in the Senate to curb immigration and other topics.

The second lecture was given at the plenary assembly of the Association for the Defense against Anti-Semitism on May 2, 1912, and focuses on statistics relating to the Jewish communities in America with details about Jewish communities, his speeches at various locations, including a lecture at "Clinton Hall" entitled "The Religion of Prophets as Religion of the Future of Humanity."

The third lecture at the general assembly of the Kaiserin Elisabeth-Apprentice and Worker Home for Woman on May 13, 1912, references various Jewish institutions in America, including clubs of young Jewish men and women organizations, the latter extensively, providing an outline of Jewish immigration dating back to the arrival of the first 27 men, women and children arriving in September 1654.

The lectures include reports on social events and detailed information on Jewish organizations and politics effecting the Jewish communities. Two appendices describe Dr. Bloch's stay in Philadelphia and his departure from New York on the ocean liner Neu-Amsterdam of the Holland-Amerika Line. Text in German, Gothic script. Light wear along edges of wraps, somewhat rubbed. Starting at title page with library stamp and black markings on title page. Block lightly age-toned. Good condition. Item #50567

Joseph Samuel Bloch (1850-1923) was a Rabbi and member of the Austrian Parliament, where he took a notable part in combating anti-Semitism, especially in defending Austrian Jews against the blood accusation. Born in 1850, he was already recognized as a young rabbinic prodigy and genius at the age of 15, as he was quoted in the response of his teacher, the famed and celebrated Rabbi Josef Saul Nathanson at Lemberg in one of his response. In 1883 he founded a periodical, "Oesterreichische Wochenschrift," with the aim to defend the political rights of the Jews, to refute unjust attacks, and to inspire its readers with courage and faith in the conflict that had been forced upon them. As his career progressed, he became one of the most well known speakers against Anti-Semitism. T.

Price: $250.00

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