Rabbi Avroham Yaakov Gershon Lesser
אברהם יעקב גרשון ב"ר עזריאל מאיר
Chief Rabbi, Cincinnati, OhioDate of Death:
Wed. October 1, 1941 -
Tishrei 10 5702
Yom Kippur
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Directions to Kever: Beth Tefyla Schachnus Cemetery, located in the Price Hill section of Cincinnati is part of the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati Association which maintains computerized records and will provide a detailed location map upon request. There are two entrances on Sunset that connect in the form of a “U”. The entrances are shared entrances to both the Montefiore Cemetery and the Beth Tefyla Schachnus Cemetery. Location: Surrounded by a large white stone fence
Biographical Notes:
Credit: N/N
Prior to Cincinnati, Rabbi Lesser rabbinated in Chicago. He was elected founding president of the Agudath HaRabanim (The Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada) at its commencement in1902.
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His Sefer B’Achrit Hayomim is now availible on Hebrew books, and is translated into english in the second part (Page 47 on http://www.hebrewbooks.org/38383).
The sefer according to Rabbi Lesser was written in response to a Christian clergyman who approached him about the return of Israel to the holy land, very intresting work.
The Rav was here in the US as early as 1882, first as a Rav in Chicago and later in Cincinnati.
I have a document signed by Rabbi Lesser in Cincinnati in 1911 relatingto my great grandfather who was a kashruth authority. I am happy to send a scan and translation if you are interested. I can be reached at Daniel76807680@Hotmail.com.
I believe rabbi gerson lesser was my great great grandfather. Can you provide the names of his dircct descendants? I would be so grateful.
Rabbi Lesser of Chicago and Cincinnati is my great, great grandfather. I am the son of Bessie Sophie Lesser’s daughter Rae. Rae passed June 6,2012 at the age of 98. Bessie had 5 children and Rae was the last to survive. Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati,Ohio has a number of Rabbi Lesser’s items including photographs donated by Rae and Harry Katz.
Bessie Lesser married Ralph Kaplan of Louisville, Ky and the 5 children were Aaron, Miriam, Dorothy, Rae and Bernice Kaplan.
Rabbi Lesser is my 3x great grand father. My great grandfather was Isadore Jules Lesser who I believe is Bessie Sophie Lesser’s Brother and the son of Hyman Lesser the Rabbi’s son. IJ Lesser married Rose Julia Miller of Cincinnati and their daughter Natalie Lesser was my grandmother. We are very interested in having a complete Lesser family tree. By chance I inherited a small book that is signed on the inside Sara Jane Lesser 1919. I believe that she is Bessie and Ij’s sister. They also had another brother Meyer who we believe lived in New York City and was associated with the movies and theater and my grandmother often spoke of an Uncle David. My grandmother often sopke of Rabbi Lesser who she loved and said was “as fine as a silk purse” I hope someone can supply more information.
Rabbi Lesser is my 3x great grandfather. I am interested to exchanging family tree info with other family memebers. I can be contacted at rattner@shaw.ca
Hi Jerry I’m astounded to have found you yes I know a lot myer lesser was my grandfather for whom I’m named how can we talk to exchange info there is a volume in my head of scandal murder glamor etc and I’m putting it all in a book for my seven grand kids but I am missing so much before myer who was in total rebellion v Judaism yet married Henrietta Szolds best friend!
His Sefer” Ohel Moed” printed while he was still in Chicago in 1897:
http://www.hebrewbooks.org/3362
Rabbi Lesser had a brother who lived in Omaha, Neb.
Rabbi Lesser was very active here in Chicago. While still in Chicago he was one of the signers of the The Blackstone Memorial (1891), a petition written by William Eugene Blackstone, and presented to the President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, in favor of the delivery of Palestine to the Jews.
His son R’ Yosef Chaim (mentioned above as Hyman) was a Schochet in Chicago:
http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=6802&st=&pgnum=149
Photo of the Rav
http://s949.photobucket.com/user/aman51/media/Lesser_zps33d2e382.jpg.html
Rabbi Lesser and after R’ Lesser’s death – Rabbi Silver’s shul in Cincinnati – Knesseth Israel (now called Zichron Eliezer) is looking for any photos, teshuvos, letters, or any other information on HaGaon Rabbi Avrohom Yaakov Gershon Lesser and HaGaon Rabbi Eliezer Silver zt”l
to be included in the upcoming publication of a book on the 100 year history of the shul in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Rabbi Silver’s klal work including saving Jews during the Holocaust, the Vaad Hatzalah, Agudas Harrabonim and Agudas Yisroel.
They are also looking for people who have recollections of Rabbi Silver or on the frum Jewish history of Cincinnati to interview for this project.
If you have any photos, documents, letters, items and are willing to share copies of or are willing to be interviewed, please contact via email: machonravsilver@gmail.com
Is there a clearer picture of the Matzeve (tumbstone)? The Rebbetzin Lesser was the daughter of Reb Yosef of Kletzk, it apears that he is mentioned on the Matzeive as יוסף הצדיק anyone with info on him?
Or perhaps can anyone provide a clear transcript?
Thanks
פ”נ
הרב הגאון הצדיק מהו”ר אברהם יעקב גרשון ב”ר עזריאל מאיר ז”ל, שהיה אב”ד בכמה קהלות חשובות בישראל, ובאחרית ימי חייו היה מרא דאתרא בעירנו כ”ז שנה, נפטר בשיבה טובה בן צ”ג שנים, ביוה”כ תרפ”ה, בעהמ”ח ספר אהל מועד ג”ס [גם ספר] באחרית הימים תנצב”ה
Rabbi Lesser Died Oct. 7 5685
http://moreshesamerica.blogspot.com/2014/10/90.html
Meyer Lesser was my great-grandfather, so I guess that means Rabbi Lesser is my great great uncle; would love to hear from other relatives (you may have heard previously from my dad Herbert, who was into genealogy before his recent passing): ProfessorLesser@gmail.com
Reb Laizer Silver davened with a minyan at this kever on behalf of a choleh in 1933, see his letter in Rabbi Swiren’s sefer Mir Yidden page 218.
Reb Laizer Silver davened with a minyan at this kever on behalf of a choleh in 1933, see his letter in Rabbi Swiren’s sefer Mir Yidden page 218.
Reb Laizer Silver davened with a minyan at this kever on behalf of a choleh in 1933, as per his letter in Rabbi Swiren’s sefer Mir Yidden page 218.
An interesting American letter by Rabbi Avroham Yaakov Gershon Lesser is coming up at auction next week, please see
https://il.bidspirit.com/ui/lotPage/appelauction/source/catalog/auction/36488/lot/23946/Early-Beth-Din-testimony-about-a?lang=en