(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)
Henry, Henry A. (1800-71). Autograph Letter Signed written to Isaac Leeser, in English and Hebrew.
This lengthy letter is Henry's response to a local news item which appeared in The Occident Vol. 8:6, September 1850, pp. 316-17. In the piece, Henry is said to be leaving Cincinnati for a hazzan position in Louisville. The Occident essentially accused Henry of having conspired with the Cincinnati congregation B’nai Jeshurun to depose its hazzan James K. Gutheim. The Occident recommends that synagogues undertake periodic elections, and in this way the confidence or lack of confidence can be registered, rather than summarily firing a faithful spiritual leader. Henry, responding to Leeser many months later, denies these facts and gives his reasons for not having written sooner to defend himself. In the first, he picturesquely quotes “the Royal Bard,” “I am all peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:7) and suggests that had he replied sooner he would have had to implicate certain individuals for whom he would rather dwell “in amity than in enmity.” Henry subsequently alludes to troubles in Leeser’s own congregation and piously pronounces that he “did not wish to worry [Leeser], but rather to deal charitably with you.” The rest of the letter is a very detailed account and defense of his procurement of his pulpits. Henry also details and criticizes the ritual sins of others who officiate as hazzan/ ministers. Henry extends his hand in peace to Leeser, subscribing to his Occident, suggesting that they meet in person in the fall, and indicates that he has enclosed a prospectus for his “Class Book,” and requests that Leeser include a notice of it in his journal. He concludes by asking for a reply if he is worthy, and if not, then he will “rest content” that he has fulfilled “the Holy Torah,” namely Leviticus 19:17’s commandment to chastise.
Seven pages, stained, with short tears. Tall folio.
Cincinnati: 12th June, 5611 (1851)
H. A. Henry was born in London, where he was educated at the Jews’ Free School, and became its principal. Ordained by Rabbi Solomon Hirschel, he also served as minister in the St. Alban’s Synagogue. In the United States he held positions in Cincinnati, Louisville, New York and finally, from 1857, in Sherith [sic] Israel in San Francisco. Henry was thus a rabbinic pioneer in California.