The American Israelite The American Israelite Access information. Access on and off campus. Description. “Let there be light” has been the motto of The American Israelite since it was first published in 1854 with the intention to illuminate principles of Jewish faith and instill a sense of community among American Jews who often lived in geographically dispersed locations. Originally printed as The Israelite until 1874, this weekly is considered thelongest-running English-language Jewish newspaper available in the country Published in Cincinnati, OH, the paper was started by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, best known as the founderof Reform Judaism in the U.S. The American Israelite published numerous editorial columns ardently in defense of the civil and religious rights of all Jews, writtenby Wise. These efforts eventually led to formation of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations which he initiated in Cincinnati. Wise also frequently penned columns calling for a Jewish educational institution, resulting in the establishment of the Hebrew Union College. Additionally, Wise also wrote several novels which were published as serials in his newspaper. For insight into the growth and development of Reform Judaism in the U.S., the digitized issues of The American Israelite (1854-2000) provide a valuable record of events and issues as they unfolded. Access to these primary source materials will be of benefit to students and researchers interested in culture and civil rights history, as well as national and world news presented from a Jewish American perspective. This article was published on 2024-08-21
