(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

First Jewish book printed in Cincinnati. “In the course of many years’ experience . . . I have observed, with regret, the insufficiency of our present system of religious education. To assist in the amelioration of that system, has long been my most anxious wish . . . This elementary work is intended as the first of a series of similar productions . . . One great desideratum has been to reduce its price to that of the common daily Spelling Book, so that it may be available to the poor as well as to the wealthy, as, also, to families having several children, so that each child may obtain the Book for its exclusive use.” This work, which was based on an earlier London edition (1839 or 1840), was Henry’s first American publication on a Jewish theme. For Henry’s “Prayer in Behalf of the United States of America” (with references to the local governor, mayor and city council), see pp. 71-2. Henry was born in London in 1800 (or 1806?) and served as principal of the Jewish Free School and the rabbi in various area synagogues, he was also a leading anti-missionary activist. He immigrated to America in 1849 upon the invitation of a Louisville synagogue, but never reached Louisville. He instead occupied pulpits in Cincinnati, Syracuse and New York. In 1857 he moved to San Francisco. There he served as the rabbi of Shearith Israel and edited The Pacific Messenger. He died in 1879 and his library was bequeathed to the Hebrew Union College. See UJE, 5:317