…
[1845]
Isaac Leeser, the hazzan of Philadelphia's Congregation Mikveh Israel, establishes the Jewish Publication Society, and, in so doing, demonstrates the power of the printed word in preserving Judaism in America.
"JPSset the stagefor other Jewish publication houses and literary works," says Gary Zola. "Without a venue for promoting scholarship, literature, and Jewish writing, the Jewish community could not have become a great Jewish center."
[1859]
In response to a perceived lack of American Jewish unity in the face of political turmoil, twenty-four mostly Ashkenazic congregations, led by Shaaray Tefilla of New York and Isaac Leeser of Philadelphia, form the Board of Delegates of American Israelites "to keep a watchful eye on all occurrences at home and abroad."
A year earlier, 6-year-old Edgardo Mortara of Italy was taken from his home and handed over to the Catholic Church after it was discovered he had been secretly baptized by his nursemaid. A Catholic in Italy could not legally be raised by Jews, even his own parents. Despite numerous petitions from various American Jewish groups, President James Buchanan refused to intervene, stating that the US should not meddle in the affairs of other independent governments. Believing that their appeal had failed because of their own disorganization, Jewish leaders established a Board of Delegates, modeling it on the influential Jewish Board of Deputies in London–but due to communal infighting, only a small fraction of the synagogues in America participated. Nonetheless, says Gary Zola, "the Board's creation demonstrated the early determination of American Jewry to use their political influence at home to defend embattled Jews anywhere."
[1862]
Jews take their case to the White House after Major General Ulysses S. Grant orders the expulsion of Jews from his war zone for alleged smuggling and cotton speculation, and threatens those who would return with arrest and confinement.
After meeting with Cesar Kaskel, a Jew from Paducah, Kentucky, and Cincinnati Congressman John A. Gurley, President Abraham Lincoln commanded Army General Henry Halleck to revoke Grant's order. In a subsequent meeting with Jewish leaders, President Lincoln declared: "To condemn a class is, to say the least, to wrong the good with the bad. I do not like to hear a class or nationality condemned on account of a few sinners." "This was a dramatic demonstration of Jewish self-confidence," says Pamela Nadell. "Jews now had access to the President of the United States." Adds Jonathan Sarna: "This episode empowered Jews with the knowledge that they could fight back against bigotry and win–even against a prominent general."