Language:
English
Pages:
1 Online-Ressource
Year of publication:
2010
Series Statement:
Jewish Life in America, c1654-1954
Keywords:
Everyday Life: Personal and Family Narratives
;
Mixed archival material
;
Mixed archival material
Abstract:
Gershom Mendes Seixas-Letters to Sarah Seixas Kursheedt
Note:
AMDigital Reference:P60/3/2/9
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(See Oversized folder OS1/2) There are seventeen letters in the folder, dating from November 4, 1813 to May 1815. All of the letters are on long sheets of paper.The letters include several Hebrew words and references to Jewish holidays and Jewish thought. They also contain information and anecdotes about the family. Several of the letters are described here in detail; others are noted for their outstanding information. Attached to all the letters are pieces of paper that have Sarah's husband's name, Mr. I.B. Kursheedt, Merchant, Richmond, Virginia. Letter 1: November 4, 1813, Thursday. Three pages long. The letter is from Gershom to his daughter Sarah, and opens with his expressions of joy that she is feeling better. He also discusses the idea that often things occur in different ways than we have planned, but it is for the best that they turn out the way they do. He feels that everything that happens is al pi hagoral-written in Hebrew, by lottery-we have no control over why things happen. There is no point in lamenting, our chief duty is to be reconciled with our lot. He continues by saying that whereas Kursheedt wrote in Hebrew, he writes in English and thanks 'the great Creator' for healing her. Gershom also offers various bits of information about other members of the family and the experiences he has had recently. Letter 2: November 10, 1813, New York. Three pages plus an additional paragraph. He discusses his happiness in the improvement in the condition of Elkalah as well as the recent arrival of Sarah's aunt, who has come to stay with Gershom. He asks Sarah about her ease or difficulty in obtaining her citron and myrtle, items used on Sukkot. Gershom also offers other bits of gossip about the Parnas and his new daughter. In this letter; as in the one previous, Gershom offers his blessing to his daughter that the G-d of Israel bless her. Letter 3: November 18, 1813, New York. Two pages. Gershom writes that Sarah, whom he calls Sally, should not be over exerting herself until she feels better. He chastises her for writing to him and says better she wait until she is in good health and then write to him about all that has happened. He tells her several anecdotes pertaining to the family and wishes her his hope that she feels better soon. Letter 4: November 24, 1813, New York. Two pages and several lines. The last page is a note from David G. Seixas who has forwarded the letter to I.B. Kursheedt and says that part of the letter was for him, from his father, and the rest is for Sarah. The letter describes what has been going on in the family as well as various prices of etrogim and lulavim that they sold to make money. Letter 5: January 29, 1814, Monday, New York. Slightly longer than three pages; the last page contains the notation that I.B. Kursheedt received the letter. At his daughter's request, Gershom talks about the troubles and problems the family is facing as Gershom is having difficulties commuting due to his age. As in previous letters, he offers numerous anecdotes and incidents that have occurred since their last correspondence. Letter 6: February 4, 1814, New York. Two and a half pages plus the note of receipt. Gershom mentions in this letter that he wrote a request to the Congregation, calling for a day of fasting and humiliation because of the disasters in the Ma'arivit Tzifonit, written in Hebrew, and to collect money to aid the people in that area. He developed an order of prayers to be said and observed. He also speaks of the other things he has been doing. Prayers are from the Rosh Hashana and Shabbat liturgy, including a prayer for the government and a short address in English. Letter 7: March 22, 1814, New York. Three pages and a paragraph. Gershom thanks her for her Purim present-says he hopes that she receives the letter before the great Sabbath before Passover. Letter 8: April 15, 1814, New York. Three and a half pages. Gershom refers to the two great men, Raish Lakish and Rabeinu Gershom (written in Hebrew) who while they were both great, did not get along. He tells of a story between these two men who were both esteemed and had many followers. He brings this story to show Sarah that while he and her husband may have differences of opinion, he does not want him to say that he is right, rather to show him that he is wrong. Letter 9: May 5, 1814, New York. Slightly less than three pages. He is happy to hear that Sarah is in full health. Letter 10: May 15, 1814, New York. Three pages. Gershom talks about going to synagogue and having to leave early. He tells her what he has done during the days before writing this letter. Letter 11: July 11, 1814, New York. Three pages and one paragraph. Gershom has to stay in the house due to the rain. The letter is filled with references to Shabbat, things happening in the synagogue, and a brit milah. Letter #12: August 8, 1814, New York. Three pages and several lines. Nothing new has occurred. Gershom talks about the way in which things that are true one day are false the next. He refers to Hebrew dates when he received and sent her letters. He writes a few lines in Hebrew-'I have written the preceding lines in square characters-that all Jews may be able to read it.' Letter 13: September 25, 1814, New York. Two and a half pages. Gershom thanks Sarah for always inquiring about his welfare. He talks about the fact that he tried to write several times before Yom Kippur but did not have enough time. Letter 14: n.d. Three and a half pages. Gershom describes the Purim festivities he enjoyed with the family. Letter 15: May 24, 1815, New York. Two pages. Gershom writes to his daughter Grace. The first part of the letter is a note from her brother Henry that the family is well. Gershom writes that he is feeling better than when Grace left him. Letter 16: September 26, 1812, Monday Evening, Philadelphia. One page. The top part of the page is from David to Dr. Kursheedt, concerning various synagogue affairs. The bottom part is to Mr. Hyman Marks that his wife fasted well and is waiting to hear from him. It is written by DGZ(?). Letter 17, n.d. Two pages. Gershom writes to Sarah, although he does not sign the letter. He writes dear daughter and the handwriting corresponds to that of previous letters. Gershom talks about the second book of Kings. In response to something Sarah must have written about the name Shlomit-he discusses the negative aspect of the name because of the woman's namesake in this book. Contains Hebrew
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Seixas Family Papers
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Reproduction of Gershom Mendes Seixas - Letters to Sarah Seixas Kursheedt n.d., 1813-1815
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American Jewish Historical Society
URL:
Deutschlandweit zugänglich
URL:
Deutschlandweit zugänglich
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