Isaac Leucht
Encyclopedia
Isaac Leucht was a Reform
Rabbi and communal leader in New Orleans. He was the last rabbi of Congregation Shangarai Chasset before it merged with Congregation Nefutzot Yehudah to become what is now the Touro Synagogue
.
In 1868, Leucht arrived in New Orleans (from Baltimore) to serve as Shangarai Chasset's cantor
. When James Gutheim, who was the rabbi at that time, left the synagogue to assume a position in New York, Leucht took over as the rabbi as well. He held those positions through 1872, when he left to become the cantor at Temple Sinai. After a yellow fever
outbreak killed Shangarai Chasset's rabbi and cantor in 1879, Leucht returned to Shangarai Chasset. Two years later, Shangarai Chasset merged with Nefutzot Yehudah. Shortly thereafter, the synagogue was renamed in honor of their earlier shared benefactor Judah Touro
.
Under Leucht's leadership the synagogue further adopted the innovations of Reform Judaism
that Gutheim introduced. According to the Touro synagogue website, in 1881, the second-day observance of the holidays was dropped; in 1889 Shabbat
morning worship was abbreviated to "last not longer than one hour including the sermon"; in 1891 the congregation decided to allow worship with or without covered heads, depending on how long one had been a member. It was also in that year that the synagogue joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
Leucht was active in the New Orleans community serving on the board of Jewish institutions such as the Association for the Relief of Jewish Widows and Orphans, as well being a member of the State's first Board of Education
in 1888. The Jewish Community of New Orleans credits Leucht for his ecumenical ties to the non-Jewish community, also listing his service as president of the Louisiana Red Cross, and Commission of Prisons and Asylums as examples. Along those lines, he contributed an article entitled "The Mysteries of the Book of Esther" to The Southern Presbyterian Review. Regarding Leucht's Jewish communal work, his great grandson, Bill Rosen, in a nostalgic letter detailing his own departure from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina
, wrote that during his great-grandfather's years in New Orleans, Leucht "started or helped develop every major Jewish institution of his time - he built Touro Synagogue
, laid the corner stone of Touro Infirmary and worked ten years to develop the Newman School
," institutions that continue to service New Orleans.
Leucht's brother Joseph also found employment as a rabbi and cantor, first in Baltimore
's Hebrew Congregation, where his father-in-law, Rabbi Abraham Rice
was rabbi, then later as rabbi of Temple Bnai Jeshurun in Newark, New Jersey
.
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
Rabbi and communal leader in New Orleans. He was the last rabbi of Congregation Shangarai Chasset before it merged with Congregation Nefutzot Yehudah to become what is now the Touro Synagogue
Touro Synagogue
The Touro Synagogue is a 1763 synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, that is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States,the oldest surviving Jewish synagogue building in North America, and the only surviving synagogue building in the U.S...
.
In 1868, Leucht arrived in New Orleans (from Baltimore) to serve as Shangarai Chasset's cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
. When James Gutheim, who was the rabbi at that time, left the synagogue to assume a position in New York, Leucht took over as the rabbi as well. He held those positions through 1872, when he left to become the cantor at Temple Sinai. After a yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
outbreak killed Shangarai Chasset's rabbi and cantor in 1879, Leucht returned to Shangarai Chasset. Two years later, Shangarai Chasset merged with Nefutzot Yehudah. Shortly thereafter, the synagogue was renamed in honor of their earlier shared benefactor Judah Touro
Judah Touro
Judah Touro was an American businessman and philanthropist.-Early life and career:...
.
Under Leucht's leadership the synagogue further adopted the innovations of Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
that Gutheim introduced. According to the Touro synagogue website, in 1881, the second-day observance of the holidays was dropped; in 1889 Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
morning worship was abbreviated to "last not longer than one hour including the sermon"; in 1891 the congregation decided to allow worship with or without covered heads, depending on how long one had been a member. It was also in that year that the synagogue joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
Leucht was active in the New Orleans community serving on the board of Jewish institutions such as the Association for the Relief of Jewish Widows and Orphans, as well being a member of the State's first Board of Education
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
in 1888. The Jewish Community of New Orleans credits Leucht for his ecumenical ties to the non-Jewish community, also listing his service as president of the Louisiana Red Cross, and Commission of Prisons and Asylums as examples. Along those lines, he contributed an article entitled "The Mysteries of the Book of Esther" to The Southern Presbyterian Review. Regarding Leucht's Jewish communal work, his great grandson, Bill Rosen, in a nostalgic letter detailing his own departure from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, wrote that during his great-grandfather's years in New Orleans, Leucht "started or helped develop every major Jewish institution of his time - he built Touro Synagogue
Touro Synagogue
The Touro Synagogue is a 1763 synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, that is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States,the oldest surviving Jewish synagogue building in North America, and the only surviving synagogue building in the U.S...
, laid the corner stone of Touro Infirmary and worked ten years to develop the Newman School
Newman School
The Newman School, founded in 1991, is located in Cajica, Colombia. Its first graduating class was in 2003. It is a catholic school.The Bilingual and private School was founded in 1991 by former Anglocolombiano School headmaster Augusto Franco Arbeláez...
," institutions that continue to service New Orleans.
Leucht's brother Joseph also found employment as a rabbi and cantor, first in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
's Hebrew Congregation, where his father-in-law, Rabbi Abraham Rice
Abraham Rice
Abraham Joseph Rice was the first ordained rabbi to serve in a rabbinical position in the United States.Rice was born in 1800 or 1802 at Gochsheim, near Würzburg, Bavaria. An injury in infancy left him with a limp. He studied at the Würzburg yeshivah, and was ordained by Rabbi Abraham Bing...
was rabbi, then later as rabbi of Temple Bnai Jeshurun in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
.