By Pulpit & Press: German Reform Comes to America

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Exhibition on view through October 25, 2014
at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th Street, NYC)

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(Above image fabricated with maps from the David Rumsey Map Collection: www.davidrumsey.com.)

In the mid-to-late 19th century, many German-born rabbis left Germany to practice their faith in the United States. Isaac Leeser, Isaac Mayer Wise, David Einhorn, Max Lilienthal, and Bernard Felsen­thal educated congregants from the pulpit, spread their knowledge and faith through publishing works, and supported endeavors in many fields. These rabbis profoundly influ­enced both Reform and Conser­vative movements in the United States. Other pioneers such as German-American Rebecca Gratz promoted Judaism by creating Jewish versions of existing social models. All played a large role in influencing 19th century Jewish American society as a whole.

On display outside The David Berg Rare Book Room are titles from the collections which reflect the work of these important individuals. For more information about exhibitions at the Center for Jewish History, click here.

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(Clockwise from upper left: Isaac Leeser, Isaac Mayer Wise, Rebecca Gratz, Bernhard Felsenthal, David Einhorn, Max Lilienthal)

By Pulpit & Press features materials from the American Jewish Historical Society and the Leo Baeck Institute, with digital contributions from Yeshiva University Museum and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, and is presented by the Center for Jewish History, with the generous support of The David Berg Foundation.

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