1st edition thus. Original green paper wrappers, 12mo, 24 pages, 20 cm. Singerman; 758; Rosenbach 481, Rinderknecht 41-4125. List of Officers include Hyman Gratz officiating as Gabay and Reader Rev. Isaac Leeser. Also includes a List of 42 Members. “In August, 1829, Leeser arrived in Philadelphia with….fresh ideas about his new job. Until that time, a hazzan in America mostly led the congregation in Hebrew prayers….Leeser was aware however that Rev. Gershom Mendes Seixas, the synagogue's first rabbi and congregation founder had delivered sermons in English on occasion, as had Rev. Solomon Nunes Carvalho….Leeser helped to transform the lectern into the pulpit. On June 2, 1830, Leeser delivered his first English sermon. Thereafter he preached with regularity, though on sufferance only, until June 18, 1843 [the same year he founded the Occident], when the congregation formally accepted the sermon as regular. Leeser's practice of delivering sermons on a regular basis was ultimately adopted by American congregations, and preaching became one of the standard duties of Jewish clergymen” (Wikipedia)Congregation Mikveh Israel, "The Hope of Israel," was founded in 1740 in Philadelphia, and was led for many years by the bastion of American Orthodoxy, Isaac Leeser. It has a two-fold tradition, that is, the synthesis of the Spanish-Portuguese Jewish ritual and the ongoing development of the American-Jewish community. During the War of Independence, Jews from New York, Richmond, Charleston, Savannah, Lancaster and Easton fled to Philadelphia seeking refuge from the British. In 1780, Rev. Gershom Mendes Seixas, Hazan (Minister) of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York, came to Philadelphia and became its religious leader. During his tenure, he was instrumental in establishing the form of prayer and organizational structure in the Spanish-Portuguese tradition which remain today. SUBJECT(S): Synagogues -- Organization and administration. Synagogues -- Organisation et administration. OCLC: 21154081. Light edgewear & markings to blank green wrappers. Close tear to bottom margin, no text affected. Paper and binding remain bright and strong. Very Good- Condition. A beautiful copy. (AMR-67-12-BD-'x)