(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

B. Brown

Mobile, Ala.

1858

Gutheim, James K. The Synagogue and the Covenant, Two Sermons; The First Delivered at the Dedication of the New Synagogue, Shangarai [sic] Shamayim, of Mobile, Alabama, on Friday, Sevan I, 5618, A. M. (May 14, 1858). The Second, on the Sabbath Following. By JAMES K. GUTHEIM, Minister of the Congregation Dispersed of Judah, of New Orleans, La. Published By Request

cf. Singerman 1530 (unseen)

Shaarei Shamayim, established in 1841, was Alabama’s first synagogue. Exceptionally scarce, this sermon represents the first Jewish work printed in Alabama. Singerman was unable to locate a single copy and only based his listing on a reference by Moritz Steinschneider. James K. Gutheim (1817-86) born in Westphalia, immigrated to America in 1843. He served as Rabbi in New Orleans, and also occupied pulpits in Cincinnati, Montgomery, Columbus, and Temple Emanu-El in New York City. A highly regarded orator, he was among the few Rabbis to preach in English. A close assiciate of Isaac Mayer Wise, he helped establish the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and Hebrew Union College. A Southerner at heart, Gutheim died in New Orleans an avowed and unrepentant Confederate patriot