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Photo Credit: IFJHAC

Photo Credit: Lauren R. Silberman

Bio Information:
Rav Schaffer studied in the Berlin Rabbiner Seminar (Rabbinical Seminary), headed by the famous Rav Azriel Hildesheimer. The Rav was ordained by Rav Hildesheimer, Rav Avroham Diamant of Yurburg, Rav Zev Lehrman of Erzvilok, the Kovno Rov, Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spector and Rav Alexander Moshe Lapidus (Lapidoth) of Rossieny (a friend of Rav Yisroel Salanter).

The Rav arrived in New York in 1892 and was soon installed as the first Moreh Dasrah of Shearith Israel, Baltimore, Maryland. In 1928, after having served for thirty-five years Rav Schaffer retired to the position of rabbi emeritus. He was to remain responsible for the congregation’s kashrus supervision until the appointment of his successor. However, at the time of Rav’s passing, no successor had been appointed. It was not until four years later, in December 1936, that Rav Shimon Schwab arrived from Europe to fill the vacancy left by Rav Schaffer.

Photo Credit: From the Virtual Judaica reference collection library 

Rav Rice was the fist known ordained Rav to serve as Moreh Dasrah of a congregation in this country. Rav Rice was a talmid (student) of Rav Avroham Bing the Chief Rabbi of Wurzburg and subsequently of Rav Wolf Hamburger of Fuerth. As the first ordained Rav in the United States, Rav Rice decided the halachic Hebrew spelling for many of the cities across the country.