Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-04-03
A JEWISH DIVORCE.
hebrew Couple Ask the Synagogue to
Sanction Their Separation.

During the last week Meridian, Miss,
has had quite a sensation. Sunday the
closing scenes were enacted in this city, to
which some of the personages had been
transferred. About two months ago Isaac
Nortolsky opened a small store at Merid
ian. He had not lived there long before
citizens commenced receiving letters of in
quirys concerning him. The writer of the
letters claimed to be his wife, and said he
had deserted her. Last week the letters
were followed by the writer of them. She
is rather handsome, dashing woman,
richly dressed, and brought with her Nor
tolsky's baby. She came just in time. Nor
tolsky had already shipped his goods to
Alma, Col, and was on the point of emf
grating thither
Mrs. Nortolsky was not to be shaken off
easily. She aroused the town, publicly
proclaimed her wrongs, and demanded a
divorce according to the Jewish law. The
lawyers whom she consulted had Isaac ar
rested on charge of vagraucv A small
bond was fixed, and, rs IT WAS feared he
would pay this and skip out, the cause of
the detention was changed. He was rear
rested on writof ne exeat, to be held un-
til the next term of Court, to show cause
why he should not support his wife and
child. Nortolsky finally agreed to give her
the divorce she desired. 1t was then dis
covered that the necessary steps could not
be taken in Meridian, and he was released
to accompany her to New Orleans and Sc.
cure the proper papers. The Jewish citi-
zens detailed one OF their number to go
along and see the affair properly man
aged.
From the stories told by both, the case is
an interesting one. She was Sarah Rosen.
the daughter of Max Rosen, living at No.
81 a III Y Cl
only daughter, courted for her beauty and
petted by her parents. Nortolsky had the
reputation of having considerable money,
and when he came a-wooing the match
was made. Sarah did not object to rich
husband, and dreamed of a luxurious
home, sealskin cloaks, silk dresses, and
pleasures without end Nortolsky was not
that kind of man, and both soon found
out their mistake. He wanted helpmate
not an ornament, and, when he discovered
her expensive habits he quietly left her.
She tried TO effect a reconciliation, but
Isaac said he had enough Of life with her.
Then she asked tor a divorce. This he
also refused. When he left Ney York she
tried 10 track him, and after Considerable
correspondence traced him to Meridian.
She followed him there and furnished the
growing Mississippi town with a lively
sensation.
She says her parents and friends in New
York who sent her down told her not to re-
turn without q Jewish divorce. This is a
peculiar document, under the orthodox
Jewish rite. 1t is made out for the hus-
band, and the wife's presence is not re-
quired. 1t must be written in Hebrew
characters, aud the witnesses and other per-
sons connected in its issuance must be per
SONS who bave not violated the Sabbath or
the strict Jewish dietary laws. 1t is on this
account that in these days of reform there
are few places in the United States where
such divorce can be obtained The doc
ument was procured there Sunday and ac-
cepted by the woman.
She left for New York Sunday night, and
her ex-husband gallantly accompanied her
to the train and saw her comfortably quar-
tered on board. 1t was explained to her
that the divorce was religious ceremony
and was not valid under the law of the
country, and that it did not entitle her to
marry again. She said she wanted the
Jewish document now, and could easily
get the legal divorce in Chicago, where
such matters were cheap. Nortolsky paid
all the expenses. including his wife's bills,
lawyers fees, railroad fares and other mat
tiers, which, with his personal costs. did not
fall short of $S00.-[Ne Orleans Picayune