The Testimony: An Address delivered by the Rev. Isaac Leeser, Philidelphia: C. Sherman, 1851

21 pages (9 1/8 x 5 1/2 in.; 232 x 140 mm). [2]. 19 pp. Lightly browned at edges; very lightly spotted. Modern blue half morocco over marbled paper.

Singerman 1195

Buoyed by the success of the Sunday School under the leadership of Rebecca Gratz, Leeser redoubled his efforts towards the creation of a Jewish all-day school. Having urged the establishment of such an institution as early as 1835, Leeser was the driving force behind the founding, in 1846, of the Hebrew Education Society of Philadelphia, chartered for "the establishment of a school or schools within ... Philadelphia, in which are to be taught the elementary branches of education, together with the sciences, and modern and ancient languages, always in combination with instruction in Hebrew language, literature and religion."

In his address at its official opening, delivered at the Society's schoolhouse on Sunday, the 4th of Nissan, 5611 (April 6th, 1851), Leeser expressed great hopes for the new Philadelphia Day School. “We propose to combine elementary and afterwards scientific education with a gradual and progressive acquirement of Hebrew, Hebrew literature, and religion. It is not to be as in other schools, a secondary matter whether the children learn Hebrew and religion or not, but they are to acquire these even if nothing else can be imparted” (p. 12). When the school opened the next day, 22 students were enrolled. A month later, the student body had increased to 63. Eventually, enrollment would peak at 170 students with sessions taking place five days a week.