By Compatriot George Stewart, Chapter Historian

With the increased efforts toward racial and religious tolerance today, it makes interesting the fact that at the Chapter’s Annual Banquet on March 10, 1900 the two speakers were Rabbi Louis Grossman and Rabbi David Philipson. Both men were very highly respected religious leaders in the City of Cincinnati. Rabbi Grossman was a founder of the Teachers Institute of the Hebrew Union College and served as the Institute’s principal for 1909 to 1918. He was founder and honorary President of the Western Association of Jewish Ministers. Rabbi Philipson was the son of German-Jewish immigrants and he was a member of the first graduation class of the Hebrew Union College. He was one of the leaders of American Reform Judaism. Both were prolific as lecturers and writers. Rabbi Grossman made an earnest plea for more exalted patriotism and Rabbi Philipson spoke on the subject, “The part the Jew took in the American Revolution.” Rabbi Philipson was a staunch advocate of Americanism throughout his life. Rabbi Grossman noted in his lecture that Cincinnati was the first city founded in the United States following the American Revolution, and at the time, it was the biggest city, with the largest Jewish population, west of the Allegheny Mountains.

“The cause of America and Liberty is the cause of every virtuous American citizen, whatever may be his religion or descent.” George Washington