Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-26
JEWISH HISTORY
Meeting of the Society for Its Com
plete Preservation.
GATHERING OF DISTINGUISHED MEN
Ex.Minister Straus Delivers an Ad-
dress of Welcome.
P AP ERS TO B E r E A D

The third annual meeting of the Ameri-
can Jewish Historical Society commenced
this morning in the parlor Of the Arlington
Hotel.
Those present were Oscar s. Straus Prof.
Richard Gottheil, Rev. DR.. G. Gottheil and
Mr.. Barnet Phillips Of New York, DIR. Her
bert Friedenwald and Mr.. Henry s. Mo-
rias of Philadelphia, DR.. Cyrus Adler and
Mr.. A. z. Wolf Of Washington, Messrs,
Mendes Cohen and Meyer Cohen Of Balti-
more.
Mr.. Oscar s. Straus ex-minister to Tur-
key during President Cleveland's first ad-
ministration, president of the society, pre-
sided, and DR.. Cyrus Adler was secretary.
President Straus' Address.
President Straus delivered a short in
formal address of welcome to the members,
stating that he would reserve his formal
speech until the afternoon session. He,
however, was glad to note, he said, that
there was a larger attendance than is gen.
eral at an opening meeting. and this was
especially gratifying in view Of tho fact
that most Of the members reside in Phila-
delphia, New York and in the southern
states, and but few live in Washington.
The society Is without doubt accomplish
ing great deal of good, and while the
members are not writers of history, 1t is
hoped that the historian will soon appear
and make use of the material secured by
the society, and give the general public
more facts In reference to the settlement
of this country by the Spaniards and Por-
tuguese than Is now known. The work is
progressing in the most satisfactory man.
ner In every direction.
Mr.. Straus said that he felt at each an
nual meeting that he ought to refer to
a at htnh hn II
follows: The object of the society when
founded was to collect and publish mater
ial bearing upon the history Of the Jews
in the United States, but these have been
extended so as to comprise the entire
American continent. 1t had been known
for many years that Jews in Spain and
Portugal participated in some degree in
the voyages which led to the discovery Of
America, and that there were Jews from
Holland, Great Britain, Jamaica and other
countries among the earliest settlers of
several of the colonies. There were also a
number of Jews in the continental army,
and others contributed literally to defray
the expenses Of the revolutionary war.
Since the foundation of the government a
number Of Jews have held important pub
lie positions. The eenealogy Of these men
and the record of their achievements will,
it is believed when gathered together, be
OF value and interest to the historian, and
perchance contribute materially to the his
tory Of the United States. The objects
not sectarian, but American and the CO.
operation of students of history and Of all
persons who have an interest in the well
fare of the society. is cordially invited.
Secretary AdYer's Report.
DR.. Cyrus Adler, secretary. said he would
make a brief report Of his work at this
time, but that 1t would be necessary to
have a much fuller report in the official
printed proceedings. The society had, he
said, sustained two serious losses by death
during the year, those of Rev. DR.. Kohut
and Mr. Jesse Seligman, both of New York.
The advent Of DR.. Kohut to this country
from Europe was looked upon, he said, as
an event. and the latter was a warm
friend and liberal contributor Of funds for
prosecuting the work of the society.
There are now 1S3 active, three honorary
and seven corresponding members Since
the last meeting number OF historical So
cieties throughout the country and the
Order of the B'nai Birth of Bombay have
subscribed to the publications Of the soci-
ETY.. A letter written In the original Sans
crit from the latter body was presented by
DR.. Adler.
The society has. he said. also been pre-
sented with a large number Of valuable
papers, principal among which was a book
given by Mr.. B. Phillips Of New York,
comprising laws passed a couple Of CEN
turtles ago in reference to the Jews In Rus
sia.
Prof Richard Gottheil. treasurer, pre-
sented his report, as follows: Balance on
hand at last report. $3OO.35; received from
dues Of members, &C.. 81. 1904; total.
81. .42120: expenses. s5ls.72; balance on
hand, $0O2.57. The report was accepted.
New ORcers Elected.
President Straus appointed the following
committee to select officers for the en-
suing year: Mr.. Barnet Phillips. Rev. DR..
Gottheil of New York Ind Mr.. H. s. Mo-
rails of Philadelphia. The committee ad-
Journed, and selected the following, who
at the afternoon session, were elected
President, Oscar s. Straus; vice presidents
DIR. Charles Gross. Simon w. Rosendale,
tary, Cyrus Adler recording secretary,
Herbert Friedenwald: treasurer, Richard
Gottheil; council-Mendes Cohen, Mayer
Sulzberger, DR.. b. Feldenthal, Prof. NJ
Jastrow, N. Taylor Phillips. Simon Wolf,
J. H. Hollander, Max. j. kahler.
Some business Transacted.
DR.. Herbert Friedenwald. corresponding
secretary, presented al original letter from
the governor of Jamaica relating to the
objects of the society, in the furtherance of
which he promised cooperation. DR.. Frie-
denwald was at once given a vote of
thanks for his forethought in writing to the
governor on the subject, and the letter will
be placed in the archives Of the society.
President Straus said that while in Venice
last summer ne secured an original copy OF
the Justinian Psalter, published several
centuries since, which, in connection with
the nineteenth Psalm contains. 1t Is be-
lieved. the first published life Of Columbus.
Mr.. Straus will have the book placed in a
case and presented to the society.
Rev. DIR. Gottheil of New York thought
that 1t would be advisable to take ways
and means to have the publications of the
society reach the general public such as
Sunday schools and other societies, In
which most people are interested. DR.. Ad-
ler thought the suggestion most valuable,
and said 1T ought to be acted upon during
the present meeting, which was agreed to.
Prof r. Gottheil of New York exhibited
q medical work owned by Columbia College
which was written by DR.. Zacuto Lusitani,
who was driven out Of Lisbon by the in
ouisition during the seventeenth century
and who died in 1912 in Brazil. Th@book
was edited by Isaac de Malat Award.
one of the leaders of the first colony Of
Jews which settled in Brazil.
Mr.. Strnuss' Formal Address.
The society then adjourned. and on re-
assembling President Straus delivered an
address of welcome, in which he referred
to the growth of the society and its OBJ
jects. He referred to the early colonial
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