Engraved Marriage Contract On Vellum With Manuscript Additions. Uniting Judah Son Of Abraham And Hendel Daughter Of David.
London: 21st Sivan, 1868.
Text in brown ink. Square Hebrew scripts. Text set within an architectural border consisting of two columns entwined with floral vines, topped by cherubs blowing horns, from which emanate the words, “Kol sason ve-kol simcha” [The sound of joy and happiness”]; a Star of David, and crown.
Signed first by Simon Ben …. Halevi Chazzan & trustee of the above holy congregation.
Signed underneath by Asher ben Pinchas, “Secretarius ve-ne’eman de-Beith ha-Knesseth ha-Gedolah” [secretary and notary of the Great Synagogue].
Apparently the groom couldn’t sign his name in Hebrew so did so by ‘Mesirus Hakulmus’ (giving over of the pen & having someone sign on his behalf).
The upper left corner of the document with the seal of the Great Synagogue, London.
When the United Synagogue came into being, the first reader at the Great Synagogue was Simon Ascher 1789-1872) .(His letter thanking the U.S. Council for granting him a retirement pension is attached to the minutes of the first meeting of the Council, held in December 1870.) Ascher had a fine tenor voice. Morris Duparc, secretary of the Anglo-Jewish Association and managing editor of the Jewish Chronicle, wrote of him: “He was a ‘Master of Prayer’ in the truest sense of the term. Disdaining the vocal pyrotechnics, of which some of our present-day Cantors are so fond, his intonation of the Services was so beautiful that he enthralled the worshippers. To such an extent was this the case that the Synagogue was thronged at the mid-day service on Yom Kippur Katon, not alone by City men, but also by others who foregathered from all parts of London in order that they might hear him render the Selichoth appointed to be read that day.”
Dr. Asher Asher (1837-1889) was born in Glasgow. He was the first Scottish Jew to enter the medical profession. He published the book The Jewish Rite of Circumcision (1873).
Asher Asher was educated at the Royal High School. He was a prominent member of the local Jewish congregation, as its Honorary Secretary. Then, he abandoned for studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating as Doctor of Medicine in 1856, as the first Jewish doctor of Scotland. He practiced at Glasgow and the nearby Bishopbriggs, a mining town.
In 1862, Asher Asher moved to London and became medical officer of the Jewish Board of Guardians, where he helped providing medical care for poor Jews. In he 1866 was appointed secretary of the Great Synagogue. About this time the idea of a union of the various London synagogues had been put forward, chiefly by Lionel L. Cohen; and Asher devoted himself to the project with intense energy. In March, 1870, he became first secretary of the United Synagogue, contributing largely to the success of that institution — he wrote the introduction to the by-laws of the constituent synagogues, and practically founded its visitation committee. This office he retained until his death.
Owing to Asher’s intimate relations with the Rothschilds, in his capacity of medical attendant, unofficial almoner, and personal friend, his advice was generally followed by them in communal matters. He was connected with a large number of institutions in the London community, and may be regarded as one of its organizers. Looking for better conditions for Jewish immigrants, Asher undertook journeys to Palestine, the United States, and Russia, in company of Samuel Montagu. Particularly, Asher was pledged about the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. After the visit to Palestine he also wrote a report on the condition of affairs in Jerusalem, which effected much good. His sympathetic nature attracted to him most of the young men of ability of the rising generation, and upon them he exerted great influence. Asher wrote much for the Jewish press, chiefly under the pen-name "Aliquis"
Rectangular sheet. Stained in places, integral folds. 34.5 Cm.
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Lot #175