Background
Poznanski, Gustavus was born in 1804 in Storchnest, Poland. Son of Joseph and Sarah Poznanski.
Poznanski, Gustavus was born in 1804 in Storchnest, Poland. Son of Joseph and Sarah Poznanski.
He left Poland in 1824. He then spent time in Hamburg and Bremen, where he learned about Reform, before emigrating to the United States. He served as a shochet and hazzan at the Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City in 1832.
The building burned down in 1838.
As it was rebuilt in 1839, Poznanski suggested adding an organ to the new synagogue building. The idea was rejected by the traditionalist rabbis, but after a petition in favor of it was presented to him, the organ was built nonetheless.
In 1843, he suggested not observing the second days of Passover, leading to a court case. He also carried out his services in English rather than Hebrew.
Additionally, he implemented a three-year reading cycle of the Torah, the removal of the reading of the Haftarah, and the recital of only one kaddish during funerals.
Personal life
They had four children:
Isaac Barrett Poznanski (1840-1896). He became a prominent violinist and composer. Joseph Poznanski (1841-1916).
Gustavus Poznanski, Junior.
(1842-1862). Sarah Poznanski (1844-1874). Death
He died in 1879.
Married Hetty Barrett, December 5, 1838.