Merzbacher, Leo (1810-56). Autograph Letter Signed wriiten to Dr. Joshua Cohen, in English.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

23rd December

New York

1849

A salutary letter of introduction from Leo Merzbacher, rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, on behalf of Rabbi Morris J. Raphall, who was going to Baltimore. Merzbacher writes: “I cannot permit Dr Raphall to leave for Baltimore without given him an introduction… He is in every respect a credit & an honor to our nation and you will feel happy in making his acquaintance.”

ᴥ Leo Merzbacher, a native of Fuerth and erstwhile student of the Chasam Sofer in Pressburg, was the rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, the first Reform congregation in New York. Merzbacher was the editor of the first Reform siddur in the United States: Seder Tefillah - Order of Prayer for Divine Service (New York, 1855). (For Raphall, see Lot 204).