Constitution and By-Laws of the Jewish Theological Seminary Association. Founded Shebat 25, 5646. January 31st, 1886

Unrecorded Edition of the Constitution of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. a most important document in the development of american jewry. According to the Constitution "The purpose of this Association being the preservation in America of the knowledge and practice of historical Judaism, as ordained in the Law of Moses (Torath Moshe), and expounded by the prophets (Nevi'im) and sages (Chachamim) of Israel in Biblical and Talmudical writings, it proposes in furtherance of its general aim, the following specific objects: 1) The establishment and maintenance of a Jewish Theological Seminary for the training of rabbis and teachers; 2) The attainment of such cognate purposes as may upon occasion be deemed appropriate" (p.3). For the most part, this historic document is devoted to organizational issues such as: membership, meetings, officers, board of trustees, power of trustees, amendments, dues, suspension and expulsion of congregations, duties of officers and trustees, etc. Sabato Morais (1823-1897) of Philadelphia is generally credited as being the founder of the Jewish Theological Seminary; he was president of the faculty until his death. Shortly thereafter in 1901, a new organization was projected, to be called "Jewish Theological Seminary of America," with which the older Jewish Theological Seminary Association was invited to incorporate. This new arrangement went into effect in 1902. See JE, Vol. VII, p.183; EJ, Vol. XII, cols.294-5