Kursheedt, Gershom. Autograph Letter Signed written to Isaac Leeser, in English.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

(July

New Orleans

1850)

A most friendly letter offering Leeser moral support in his conflict with the board of Mikveh Israel, his own synagogue, which had caused Leeser to resign as rabbi. Kursheedt assures Leeser “You know my sentiment with regard to yourself and your congregation. Give the malcontents rope &c.” Kursheedt predicts they will fail: “Time will show them up in their true colors. You may take my word for it.” He advises Leeser to respond by passive-aggressively: “Contemptuously by being altogether silent on the subject.” Kursheedt provides news from New Orleans that the Ashkenazi synagogue, Shangarai Chasset, would be laying its cornerstone the following week, with Rev. James Gutheim officiating, and all the officers and members of Kursheedt’s Sephardic synagogue Nefuzoth Yehudah invited as guests.

Kursheedt was a close friend and admirer of Leeser, evidence of which is found throughout this letter, in which Kursheedt concludes by signing: “you know I am your ever attached friend Gershom K.” On the recto address-panel, rather than providing a straight-forward street and house number, Kursheedt amusingly pens: “Revd Isaac Leeser Kaal Mickve Israel of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania United States of the Continent of North America Situated in Cherry St. of said city of Philada on the North side at the distance of Sixty yards west of third. The Rt. Revd Isaac Leeser of Duilman Bavaria formerly officiating pastor of the flock of goats belonging to above Kaal now known as Editor of a periodical called the Occident published in said city of Philada having relinquished his office of Shepherd.”