Genealogy Express

PROMINENT JEWS
OF
AMERICA

A Collection of Biographical Sketches of Jews
that Have Distinguished Themselves in
Commercial, Professional and
Religious Endeavor
Published by
S. B. GOODKIND, Publication Manager
AMERICAN HEBREW PUBLISHING COMPANY
403 Gardner Building, Toledo, Ohio.

     The purpose of this work is to perpetuate in the minds of this and coming generations, a knowledge of those sterling traits of character which have distinguished the Jewish race since the first dawn of civilization.
     It has an interesting fact that they are the only people in the world who have been able to mingle with all nations without being absorbed by any of them.
     Although loyal to the various countries of their adoption, sending their sons forth to fight their battles; giving with lavish generosity,  both of time and money, toward the promotion of every worthy national or communal cause, they have yet maintained a distinct racial individuality, which is the wonder of the world.
     Without organized political influence, they have financed Crowned heads and Kingdoms; sent forth across an uncharted waste of waters an expedition which opened the entire western hemisphere to the eyes of an incredulous world.  For it is an established fact that it was Jewish money and influence which enabled Queen Isabella to send forth Christopher Columbus upon his momentous voyage of discovery.
     The Jew is essentially a lover of liberty, of freedom of thought and action, and is always ready to grant these rights to others.  Small wonder, then, that the United States, the most vigorous exponent of freedom of all the nations of the earth, should have attracted to their shores a large body of men and women of Jewish nationality, seeking to escape from the oppression of old world tyranny.
     The story of their experiences forms a unique chapter of national history - a brave narrative replete with help and inspiration for the struggling young men of our land.
     Many of those whose biographies appear in this volume are unknown to fame in the commonly accepted sense of the term.  Their activities have perhaps been confined to their own communities, and only their immediate families and intimate friends realize fully the bitterness of the cup of experience which their lips have touched.
     However, in the life story of each one is found much that is worthy of perpetuation, much that has moulded the commercial and religious thought of their generation, and we offer this volume as a record and tribute to those men who have lived simply, nobly and without ostentation, that America and the Jewish race might maintain their dearest traditions of liberty, charity and equality among men.

     "Advance, then, ye future generations.  We would hail you as you rise in your long succession to fill the places which we now fill.  We bid you welcome to this pleasant land of the fathers.  We bid you welcome to the healthful skies and the verdant fields of our wonderful country.  We greet your accession to the great inheritance which we have enjoyed."
                                                              ~ Daniel Webster

INDEX OF NAMES