(Jones, Alfred T.) Address at the Mortuary Services in Memory of Rev. Isaac Leeser. Held at the Synagogue Beth El Emeth.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

1st March

(Philadelphia)

1868

Singerman 2079 (recording just two copies).

Congregation Beth El Emeth was a breakaway from Mikveh Israel, under the leadership of Mikveh Israel's retired Rev. Isaac Leeser. Following Leeser's death, in 1868, Beth El Emeth dissolved and its membership returned to Mikveh Israel. “Leeser's tenure at Mikveh Israel was fraught with controversy and conflict with the Board of Adjuntos. One of his passions, and the cause of some of his conflicts, was his championing, along with Rebecca Gratz, of a Jewish orphanage. His insistence on the importance of the sermon, which was not then a traditional part of the liturgy, was an additional cause for controversy. He was an unusual person who combined humility with steadfastness. Like many great influential men, he was not always the most pleasant individual and this did not endear him to some people of lesser talents. His short stature, pockmarked face and poor vision along with his somewhat difficult personality may perhaps have kept him from marrying throughout his life. However, his apparent weaknesses did not prevent him from becoming the main champion of traditional Judaism in early American history. Leeser eventually left Mikveh Israel. From 1857 to the end of his life, he was the leader of another Sephardic synagogue (Beth El Emeth) in Spring Garden, Philadelphia. It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of Isaac Lesser to American Jewish life. Although he did not consider himself truly worthy of spiritual leadership, he became not only a leader for Mikveh Israel and Philadelphia, but in a sense he served as the undeclared spiritual and intellectual leader of all American Jewry. He is prominently buried in the Beth El Cemetery at 55th Street, now owned by Mikveh Israel.” http://www.mikvehisrael.org/veWebsite/exhibit5/e50003a.htm. Alfred T. Jones, see: https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8778-jones-alfred-t.