Auction 50 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture

"The German Synagogue, Order of Prayers for Sabbath and Holidays" – An Early German Reform Prayer Book – Berlin, 1817

Opening: $400
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Die deutsche Synagoge, oder Ordnung des Gottesdienstes für die Sabbath-und Festtage des ganzen Jahres zum Gebrauche der Gemeinden, die sich der deutschen Gebete bedienen. Herausgegeben von E. Kley und C. S. Günsburg. Berlin: Maurerschen Buchhandlung, 1817. German. Part I.
One of the first alternative prayer books printed in Germany by the first followers of the reform movement with order of prayers for Saturdays and holidays for congregations that are interested in praying in German.
In the beginning of the 19th century a movement started in Germany, interested in changing and updating the Jewish way of life and the versions of prayer. The first attempt to establish a reform synagogue was in 1810 in the town Seesen near Hannover. This attempt did not last long. In 1815 a second attempt to conduct reform prayers was done in Berlin. This attempt, which also did not last long, was initiated by the two authors of the book offered here – Eduard Kley und Carl Siegfried Günsburg. They delivered sermons and led joint prayers, most of which were in German. Following this attempt they published the prayer book offered here. Only one "Siddur", published anonymously one year earlier, preceded this reform prayer book. It is possible that it was published by the same two authors. The second part of this prayer book was printed one year later, in Berlin as well.
Eduard Kley (1789-1867) turned to manage the reform school in Hamburg which opened in 1817, and took an active part in the establishment of the reform synagogue in Hamburg which opened in 1818.
XXIV, 272, [7] pp, 20 cm. Good condition. Stains. Small tear to one leaf. New binding. Ex-library copy.
Jewish Communities, Americana
Jewish Communities, Americana