Gustavus Poznanski

Background

He was born in 1804 at Storchnest, South Prussia (now Osieczna, Poland), the son of Joseph and Sarah Poznanski.

Education

He received his early education in Hamburg, at that time the center of the Jewish reform movement in Europe.

Career

He came to America in 1831 and for five years occupied a minor position in the Shearith Israel Congregation of New York City. In 1836 he was elected minister of the Congregation Beth Elohim of Charleston, South Carolina, then the wealthiest and most cultured Jewish community in America, where he served with distinction for thirteen years.

Reform Judaism in America was born in Charleston. The first reform movement lasted only eight years, from 1824 to 1833, but it had sowed the seeds of progress which germinated soon thereafter. Isaac Leeser recommended Poznanski to be elected for a probationary period of two years but his ministrations met with such signal success that he was elected for life before the expiration of his term.

In the great fire of 1838, the synagogue was burnt to the ground and before the new building was completed, a petition was presented to the trustees, with the approval of Poznanski, praying that an organ be erected in the Synagogue, to assist in the vocal parts of the service. The petition was granted and the first organ ever used in a synagogue in America was installed, but the introduction of instrumental music led to a division in the congregation and nearly forty members withdrew. In 1843 the case was carried to the courts by the seceders, the most brilliant lawyers of the day being employed by both sides. The dominant party won the case, State vs. Ancker. From now on Poznanski was incessantly persecuted, and in 1843, with a view to restoring peace, he resigned and ceased to officiate for four months, but, persuaded that it would be disastrous for him to withdraw, he continued in office until 1847 when he decided to retire.

A successor was not appointed until 1850. Some years after his retirement, Poznanski removed to New York City where he lived for the rest of his life. He died in 1879.

Achievements

• Gustavus Poznanski was a pioneer of Reform Judaism in the Antebellum S. He initiated the definite changes, namely he suggested not observing the second days of Passover, that led to a court case and the Reform position won. 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.

Religion

Strictly orthodox when he arrived in Charleston, he developed into an extreme radical Judaism.

Views

He saw America as the Jewish promised land.

Quotations: "America is our Zion and Washington our Jerusalem. "

Connections

On December 5, 1838, he had married Hetty Barrett, of Charleston, daughter of the wealthy Isaac Barrett. They had four children.

Father:

Joseph Poznanski

Mother:

Sarah Poznanski

Spouse:

Hetty Barrett

Daughter:

Sarah Poznanski

Son:

Gustavus Poznanski, Jr.

Son:

Isaac Barrett Poznanski

Son:

Joseph Poznanski