THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

PAGE TWO

and charming daughter of Mr. and not confined his labors to the church) joy of that hour, and vividly
Mrs, Isaac (iberfelder. Ile ardently alone. He has actively Identified the details of it.
lie fore the appointed hour,
wooed and finally won the 'choice of himself with all branches of education-
his heart and-s-he is still wooing and al work in the city and with the work Temple, then located on Washint
of the Asscoiated Charities. Ile has avenue, the present site of the 'y
winning her.
\Vere he asked the question todarr sought for the union of the various C. A. was crowded to cap,,,i ty.E•
upon what he would base the found- Jewish Charitable organizations and body appeared in holiday garb. E
About seventy-five years ago a lit- venture, Leo sometimes returned after
ation for his continued and unbriiken this is in progress of consummation the usually excellent Choir seemo
tle girl embarked at Manchester, dark to the safe harbor of home.
success as a minister in Israel he at this time with every indication of give a special emphasis of w e
England, upon a tiny sailing vessel, They also insist upon reminding Min
would answer without hesitation. "My ultimate success. One who is famil- and good cheer to the new l e
hound for America. occasionally of the time when per
iar with the number of outsiders who
Amidst the strains of an Unit
wife."
The boat experienced a perilous chasing sweets at a bakery he was
She lac been to him a helpmate in are regular attendants at , his public ode, eighteen gentlemen who t
trip, fraught with danger and beset given too much change, and, to the
the true sense of the word. She has addresses, can easily believe that his prised the Committee on Pulpit!'
by storms. After a full three months amusement of the clerk, insisted on
been a true and unbiased critic, and influence, spiritual and moral, has been ancy, escorted Rabbi Franklin i t
of travel the vessel reached its desti- leaving the amount upon the counter
pulpit, a fitting finale t. th eir
she has encouraged him when at far reaching and great."
nation, much to the relief and joy as he left the store.
performed duties.
times on unpopular but necessary sub-
The New Field.
Love of Books.
After the customary Friday
of all the passengers, but especially
Rabbi Franklin left Omaha, and
jects he net with keen ,spiritual dis-
With all his boyhood activities he
to the little girl, Rachel Levi.
appointments. furs. Franklin has en- reached Detroit January .14th, 1899. ing service, President Louis
in-
I
found
time
for
much
reading.
His
.
She with her family went to C
tered with hint into the spirit and life He preached his inaugural sermon who afterwards became .ate oI
of his work and she is to hint an un-
ending source of inspiration.
In Omaha, a daughter, Ruth, came
as a blessing, to heighten, if possible,
the joy of the young couple. Ruth
is now a junior student at Vassar, and
gives unmistakable promise of be-
coming a valuable and useful member
of the social body.
The type of work done in Nebraska
by Rabbi Franklin could not lie hid-
den under a bushel.
Ile rapidly became known, not only
to his colleagues throughout the
country as a man of progre'tsive
thought and unquenchable energy, but
also to the congregations in the coun-
try, which admired Iii,tufor the splen-
did work lie was accomplishing in
Hopes Realized.
how' well Rabbi Franklin has ful- Israel.
It is not at all surprising that Con-
filled the hopes and the prayers ex-
pressed in this ordination sermon, is gregation Israel should have become
at once evident. Indeed, these hopes restless over the thought that some
and prayers have been surpassed. day they would lose their beloved
Ile has fulfilled and more than ful- teacher and friend; that some larger
filled the trust imposed upon him. community, with larger problems
The "Yoke of the Law" has been to to solve, and more work to be done,
would take him away from them, so
him a garland of pleasure and joI r
Shortly after graduation, RAM that his personality' and teachings
Franklin accepted a call to minister might have a wither range and influ-
to "Congregation Israel" of Omaha, ence on American Israel.
Nor is it surprising that Temple
Neb.
He immediately entered into the Beth El of Detroit, when its Rabbi,
civic life of the community. The pul- Louis Grossmann, was called to Cin-
pit of Temple Israel speedily became cinnati, should at once have turned
the source of social, charitable, relig- its eyes earnestly and yearningly to-
ious and economic improvement for ward Omaha.
The Congregation is still congratu-
Omaha.
Not content with the abundant
ling itself upon its selection. As
ubsequent events well prove, it was
work provided for hint in his own
community, the young Rabbi visited A most fortunate and propitious oc-
nearby towns, stimulated their activ- currence for Temple Petit El, when,
ities and started congregations. The after deep thought, Leo Morris
Congregation Wnai Yeshurtun at Lin- Franklin, decided to leave the host
coln, Neb., is the work of his hands. of friends he had made in Omaha, to
He preached to that congregation on seek new worlds to conquer, new
Sundays through the years of his res- fields to cultivate.
In spite of its grief s• ' -
idence in Omaha.
ti
The Congregation at Omaha was cherished leader
•
not mistaken in its original estimate gation
•
of the young man, the Rabbi of their
choice.
is now in her junior year at Vassar Coliege,
In his stay with
he more th
his
'fhe change to this new I most intimate of Rabbi Frank
,,osition meant starting into an en- friends, addressed the congreita%
•
P"'-'
....a. The tirely new field, with the necessity for in well chosen words. Ile cow;
Leo I. Franklin is now a student at No-a
gave them a gaining new friends and becoming ac- lated them upon the happy and uri
lint
the
most
appreci- quainted with the problems confront- , mous choice made in extending all
Margaret Helen Frankli-
gift bestowed upon them was ing the Jewish population in Michi- I to Rabbi Franklin, and also to
importance of giving him enema?
the fervent prayers and good wishes gan's metropolis.
He entered upon his duties without nest and support.
of the several communities they left
cinnati, atol
Turning to Rabbi Franklin. I
a tremor. His eyes were set upon
ho""
...e members of his con- behind.
In speaking upon Rabbi Franklin's the distant hills of high ideals. lie Blitz in behalf of the Congretni
the personification of all
entrusted
to him his new charge ,m
knew
he
had
what
the
Detroit
com-
election
to
Temple
Beth
El,
the
his noble preachments. lie taught
munity needed, and he was fully pressing also the wish that thrifty
0 .
i IPII.t'i
...s, had not them by example to believe and heed American Israelite said, "His whole
Mtn
the
congregation
would ell*
a
strong
leadership
equipped
to
give
used the expedient his utterances inspired by his own career in the schools and the pulpit is
ever greater heights.
perfectly spotless. We may well con- to his people.
purity and holiness of thought.
- them up or hiding them.
Rabbi Franklin then responded
His geniality, his "forceful tact"
gratulate both parties on this happy
A Life Event.
Ills early life was molded greatly
words that still ring true in the he
While in Omaha Ile edited the "Hu- selection of the right man for the and "tactful force," his easy approach
men- through the wonderful personality of
and native ability, enabled him to of his people. llis sermon curate
right
place."
mane
Voice"
the
official
publication
service with his father, whom hundreds mention
The Reform Advocate of Chicago make a host of friends in a very short prophecies which then appeared
,. iteth El. In brief he with reverence and declare hint to of the Humane Society. -
quite visionary, but which today
Through his kindly spirit and also paid hint high tribute. "He is time.
ivo Morris Franklin—or as the have been a very exceptional man in
Though with but six years' experi- seen daily as realities.
an
able and conscientious minister, a
gentle,
yet
forceful
and
practical
Detroit community proudly says— every way.
Temple Beth El knew, after heti
He was a true companion to his pleadings, much cruelty was spared hard student, an excellent speaker ence in the ministry, he gained the
"Our Leo M. Franklin."
the dumb creatures, and also to the and an indefatigable worker. His per- confidence and respect of all the mem- the words of its new leader, that
son.
Undoubtedly
the
strong
charac-
Childhood Years.
suffering weak of human kind He also sonality is very attractive and his bers. lie was installed as Rabbi of was in safe hands.
Like all good biographers and in ter and line personality of the son
He has fulfilled and more that 1
served on nine different Boards of power to make friends is evidenced Temple Beth El Friday evening, Jan-
the spirit of Boswell it is necessary today is a direct result of the fdther's
complished every hope expresso
by the esteem in which he is held by uary 27.
Charitable and Social agencies.
firmness
and
the
gentleness
of
the
to tell you that Leo M. Franklin was
It may be said in passing that his his inaugural sermon,
In Omaha, one of the greatest his Omaha congregation."
born March 5, 1870, in the aforemen- mother.
"What I ant—I ion for you*
The Omaha Bee of December 3, installation marked a new epoch in
The boy's record at public school events in the life of the young min-
tioned city and state.
"I bring to you my heart ant
ister took place. He fell in love with 1898, speaks of Rabbi Franklin in the history of the congregation. Many
was
one
of
exceptional
quality.
He
When a youth of live his parents
Hattie M. Oberfelder, the beautiful glowing terms: "Rabbi Franklin has members recall the solemnity and the hopes—toy love and my life."
moved to Cincinnati, and of course gave evidence at an early date of the
"I come to you with the Psall i
ability he was to display in all his
prayer upon my lips: 'Deal with 1
work of manhood. He entered
servant, Oh, Lord, according to 1
Hughes High School and graduated
Dr. Franklin as a
goodness, and teach nie Thy
Young Graduate with honors. He participated in all
I ant Thy servant, do Thou but
the literary activities of the school,
a
inht;y uirorleftrdsit. anding that I my
T
and served as the president of the
Grace Aguilar Club.
"The meaning of life, my hi s
At the same time, he was a stu-
can be correctly interpreted onl y
dent of the Hebrew Union College,
terms of duty. The larger the d
which institution he entered at the
amltlielttter we fulfill it, the u
age of fourteen. At the College he
is omit life.
was the object of much teasing be-
"Honor, glory, even oppo: tun
cause of the short trousers his age
naught save it carries with it a I at
forced hint to wear, he being the
obligation and responsibility.
youngest student in the College at
myself,
:f
"For cro
utirh.at is the nie.sa
the time.
this
The rigors of his double course
"I therefore, stray for strengt,
seemed to leave no marked effect
wisdom so to live and act. On
upon hint, although with I figh School
tl
acceptance of these larger dune
in the morning and College in the
may redound to your peace a
afternoon, the young man necessarily
.1101 .1. cans
twIthenclle
iii ,ssg
had to carry about thirty to forty
we stand.
hours of work a week.•
,11 i.
cavn ,1 1a
yo'n'Til ste tioiiisilyTth)raottno,,iseallI m
The Life Ahead.
iA
The early preparation for his Sem-
myself 1 shall be true. •
inary 'cork was given to hint by his
No Flattering.
future brother-in-law, Rabbi Isaac L.
"Neither within nor beyond
Rypins, now. Rabbi in St. Paul, Minn.
;
ranks
of
our
brethren in
Undoubtedly Rabbi Franklin's pro-
attempt to tickle the palates of
ficiency in Hebrew and his natural
s.
with words of honeyed sweetne
ability to go to Hebrew sources. can
is my experience that the co.
traced directly lack to the splen-
This is a portrait of Dr. Frank- be
condition for gaining the.re , p, c
did groundwork laid for him by Isaac
our fellow's is to respect ourse
lin as he appeared at graduation Rypins.
and to uphold our own ideal.
for the Rabbinate from the He-
It was an open secret among his
"The time has passed when the
colleagues that Rabbi Rypins gave
brew Union College.
need hide his light under a In
his brother, Leo, more work to do
when he need scrape, and cring
than an ordinary mortal could ac-
bow in gratitude at each ignorn t
took Leo with them. There the boy, complish. But it is certain that at
patronizing acknowledgment th
Leo, passed a normal boyhood, en- the appointed time the tasks were
may he a Jew and yet not sac
joying all the pranks and escapades done.
respectability and manhood!
of all healthy lads.
Leo Morris Franklin entered the
"The day has come when th
Perhaps the watchful ewe of his University of Cincinnati in 1888, and
te o f r iognitn.ranks o
amnady bsot aanstd
sisters, Belle, Etta and Bluma graduated in 1892. He proved to be
of i
(Sophia was yet to arrive) prevented a student of brilliant ability and was
"He, from whose loins the Pr
him having more than the usual graduated cum laude with the B. L.
ets sprang, must indeed have
amount of scrapes marked against his degree.
from his height if today he !Ii
He was one of few selected front
account.
before the glance of rest
It is, the author of this article sup- his class to become a member of the
lion,
poses, the custom of biographers to l'hi Beta Kappa Fraternity, an honor
"Shame on the Jew who is d s
tell or to invent anecdotes or legends conferred only upon those, who in
ored by the title! Surely not
occurring in the lives of the great addition to an unimpeachable char-
ism,
but he is besmirched.
Mtn about whom they write. As far acter, have distinguished themselves
"We want the pulpit to stand
t
as we have been able to ascertain, by an almost perfect academic record.
something more than an outl e
Leo did not have to pass through a At the Commencement exercises held
scholarly sermons. We want
Cherry Tree episode, nor did he lin- in Cincinnati on June 8, 1892, he spoke
represent an influence that shall
ger soulfully gazing into an open fire as the representative of his class. He
lift and enoble life; that shall t
devising odes at the age of six. But chose the subject, "Some Recent
hearts purer, hopes sweeter, thou
there are those who delight to tell Modifications in Ethical Problems."
lovelier, strivings loftier, love de
how at the age of nine he insisted He set forth in that talk many of
sympathy surer, idealism gram e
upon selling papers so that he might the high ideals, many of which he
The Covenant we make tons "
has attained and toward some of
become self-supporting.
upbuild our congregational idei
His mother and sisters tell even which he is still striving. •
consecrate in the name of our
today how they were distressed, and
A Rabbi, 1892.
homes and of our innocent little
This is Rabbi Leo M. Franklin at the time of delivering his farewell sermon in Temple Israel,
how their womanly minds conjured
On June 24, 1892, the degree of
"May God look with favor
up pictures of possible happenings to Rabbi was conferred upon hint by the Omaha. before leaving to take up his labors in Detroit.
this new union, may He strei

Leo Morris Franklin—A Sketch

BY RABBI SAMUEL S. MAYERBERG.

PART OF THE FAMILY CIRCLE.

the Hebrew Union College.
Dr. Emil G. Hirsch, of Chicago,
preached the Baccalaureate Sermon,
in the course of which he said, to the
youngest Rabbi in Israel:
"Yours it shall he to kindle within
our congregations the old fires of de-
votion and piety and to herald to the
world the dawn of the future day of
righteousness.
"1Vfiat higher calling than this can
there be? It is the rabbi's! It brings
and twist bring its own rewards. It
has its dark nights of despondency
but also its bright hours of gladness.
"'Minister' we call the religious
teacher. Yes. he ministers, for he
serves. lint his service is his,hest vic-
He serves man because he
tory.
serves God.
"To this sublime mission then, do
I welcome you, my young colleague,
May you learn every (lay more and
more to turn your high talents and
noble acquisitions to good account
in your stewardship of the noble her-
itage of Israel. May that content-
ment which results from the con-
sciousness of duty well done never
fail you May above all, you succeed
to be true to yourself. ,
"Proceed to happy accomplishment
in behalf of divine truth, to the honor
of this your Rollege, the joy of your
venerated teachers, the profit of
Israel and the blessing of all man-
kind!"

DR. FRANKLIN'S DAUGHTER IN COLLE

MISS RUTH FRANKLIN

MRS. FRANKLIN AND YOUNGER CHIT

DR. FRANKLIN TWENTY YEARS AGO.

him, when

in

pursuit of his business Faculty and Board of Governors of

my

hands,

may

he awaken you'