Large Semicha Certificate printed on Vellum‭ - ‬Cincinnati‭, ‬1924

Large Semicha Certificate printed on Vellum‭ - ‬Cincinnati‭, ‬1924

A Rabbinic Ordination certificate from Hebrew Union College; printed on vellum, with signatures. Cincinnati, 5684 (1924).

40 x 52 cm.

This ordination certificate from Hebrew Union College was presented to R. Gershon ben Zev (Walter Gilbert Peiser), and offers a description of his studies and his success in the aforementioned institution. It testifies to his ability to serve as a rabbi in any Jewish community and to “Yoreh yoreh, yadin yadin.” The name of the institution appears in English at the top of the page, together with a decorated illustration of a menorah. The actual certificate is printed in two columns: Hebrew and english; a row of flowers separates the columns. A Star of David with the name of God in the center appears above the flowers. The signatures of the ordaining rabbis (in English) appear at the bottom of the page, as well as two gold seals of the institution.

Walter Gilbert Peiser was born in New York in 1899. He served as Rabbi of the Bnei Israel Congregation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 1927 to 1966. He was also a lecturer at Louisiana State University. He authored articles and translated parts of the Bible into English, with his own commentary. Most of his manuscripts are housed in the American Jewish Archives.

The certificate is in excellent condition. Some of the signatures are slightly faded.