Constitution and By-Laws of the American Jewish Publication Society

Book Description

Constitution and By-laws of the American Jewish Publication Society. Philadelphia: C. Sherman, 1845. Pamphlet, 11 pp. Original wrappers. Very Good condition. Under the direction of Isaac Leeser, the AJPS was the first society established in America for the publication in English of books of Jewish content, and preceded The Jewish Publication Society (est. 1888) by 43 years. In addition, its goal was to counter the prevalent missionary activity directed against the Jews at that time. In the December 1845 issue of The Occident — Isaac Leeser wrote on the formation of the AJPS: “It has long since appeared to us that Jewish literature might find a secure abode in the United States, by enlisting all Israelites to take an active interest in its growth A threefold object would be thereby secured; first the encouragement of reading among Israelites; secondly, the supplying of good books to those who cannot afford to buy them; and thirdly to incite Jewish talent to devote itself to the development of subjects connected with our religion and history.” Singerman 881.

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