Synagogues

Gertrude Weil, 1879 – 1971

In this typical letter, Gertrude describes her daily activities while at Horace Mann. Note that on Saturday, Gertrude went alone to Temple while her cousin Mattie went to an art lecture. She also writes delightfully of her efforts to observe Passover away from home. In other letters, Weil discusses the relative merits of various New York congregations. She did not enjoy services in which the sermon was conducted in German, Yiddish or Hebrew, preferring English-language lectures.

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College Hall,
Mch. 29, 1896
My own dear Ones:—...

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...Since Friday I haven't been doing much. I was somewhat tired Friday night, so we went to bed early & got up very late. Cousin Mattie started out a little before I did, to hear an art lecture at the Museum of Art, and got back later than I did from Temple ...

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...How is Pesach agreeing with you all? I miss it so much. It seemed queer not to have Sedah (how do you spell it?) at all. Uncle Albert & I were planning about having it together in his house in several (?) years. I got a package of matzohs already last week and have already opened them. Is home-

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made jelly yontoftic? I guess you'll laugh at my Hebrew spelling. If you can't make it out, pronounce it as it is spelt, then close your eyes & say it out loud. How do you like matzos, Jan? Are you old enough now to be kosha this year? ...

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