The San Francisco call., 1908-04-28
DIR. VOORSANG[R
CALLED BY DEATH
Eminent Rabbi, Stricken by
Heart Disease, Succumbs
at Del Monte
iii Health Thought to Have Been
Result of OverwOrk Since
Return From Europe

MONTEREY, April 27.-Rabbi Jacob
yoorsanger OF Temple Emanu-El of San
Francisco died suddenly tonight at the
Hotel del Monte of heart trouble. He
had just retired when he was seized
with pain and collapsed. He passed
o'clock. With the rabbi at the time
was his wife. She at once asked the
hotel clerk to summon a physician, and
DR.. William Lille was called, but the
minister had passed away before he ar
rived.
DR.. and Mrs. Voorsanger arrived in
Del Monte 10 days ago for brief stay.
The rabbi had worked with even more
than his usual zeal since his return
from Europe some months ago and had
complained that he was greatly ia
tigued. The trip to Del Monte was
made in the hope that DR.. Voorsanger
could rest and regain his health. He
spent his time here quietly and it was
believed that his condition had shown
some Improvement.
During the day, however, the rabbi
complained that he was exceedingly
tired. He talked pleasantly with some
friends and, although it was apparent
that he was by no means in good
health, there was nothing to indicate
that death was so near He retired
at 10 O'Clock. He had been in bed
but a short time when he suddenly
placed his hand over his heart and col
lapsed with a groan. In a few moments
he was dead
Mrs. Voorsanger was proStrated and
was placed under the care of friends.
Members of DR.. Voorsanger's family in
San Francisco were at once apprised
by telephone of his demise. His son
viii arrive here tomorrow and will ar
range to have the remains conveyed
to San Francisco.
Rabbi Jacob Voorsanger had lived in
San Francisco since 1886 and since
1895. among other distinguished posi-
tions, had held the professorship in
Semitic language and literature at the
University of California He was born
in Amsterdam, Holland. November 13.
1852 He received his education at the
Theological Seminary and University of
Amsterdam and became a rabbi in 1873.
receiving his degree of doctor of divin-
ity at the Hebrew Union college of
Cincinnati.
Rabbi yoorsanger came to America
at the age ef>21. He served success
sively as pastor OF Jewish congrega-
tions at Philadelphia, Providence and
Houston. Texas, leaving the latter city
in 1886 to come to San Francisco as
rabbi of the Temple Emanu-E Ell.
He was one of the most energetic re-
lief workers at the time of the earth
quake. From the first days of the
disaster he co-operated effectively with
General Funston, organizing as chair
man of the hunger committee" a
volunteer corps of Stanford university
students, the members of which. under
his direction, distributed food, cloth
ing and other supplies and. rendered
invaluable service.
Dr. Voorsanger displayed an active
interest in many popular activities
For many years he ofiiciated as chap
lain and special lecturer at Stanford
university. He was one of the found
ers OF the California branch of the
American Red Cross association and
was it's first vice president. He was
also member of the Hebrew veterans
OF the Spanish-American war. He was
a frequent contributor to Jewish
papers. AS an author he was noted.
Among his works were the Life and
Works of Moses Mcndelssohn' and
The Chronicles of Emanuel Ell He
was also editor of the Jewish Enanu-
Ell of this city