Rabbi Sabato Morais

http://personal.stevens.edu/~llevine/sabato_morais.pdf

“In 1851, after some hesitation, Morais left London for the United States to apply for the position of Hazan (Cantor and Reader) at Philadelphia's oldest and one of America's most prestigious congregations, the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation Mikveh Israel. Morais arrived in New York on March 14, 1851 and in Philadelphia three days later. On his birthday, April 13, 1851, Morais was elected Hazan of the Congregation, and sixteen years later on September 18, 1868, he received a life-time contract.” He served as Mikveh Israel’s Hazan until his passing in 1897.

In 1855 Reverend Morais married Clara Esther Weil, a teacher he met at the Hebrew Sunday School that was founded by Rebecca Gratz in 1838 in Philadelphia. Clara gave birth to seven children before her untimely passing in 1872. Sabato, who never remarried, raised these children by himself. “Of the children, Henry Samuel Morais became a founder of the Jewish Exponent of Philadelphia, a contributing editor to the Philadelphia Jewish Press and authored two books. Morais’ daughter Nina [Bonina], the oldest child, was a respected literary figure and civic leader, who eventually would move with her husband Emmanuel Cohen from Philadelphia to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Morais’ other children were his daughters Mrs. (Rebecca) Eugene Lyon, Mrs. (Gentile) Herman Loeb, [Matilda] Esther and Miriam and his son Leon.” Apparently Henry, Leon, Esther, and Miriam never married.

Orthodox Spiritual Leader

Reverend Morais “was one of the most affectionate and faithful of pastors, and with all his many interests and occupations never neglected his congregation or the immediate work connected with it. He was a daring and liberal thinker and a radical in Italian politics. Yet he was the foremost champion of American Hebrew orthodoxy. With eloquent voice and forceful pen, with earnest piety and the strength of profound conviction, he fought against innovation and upheld the ancient tenets of the law. As a Hebraist and Biblical scholar, he had few peers in the world. He studied Talmudic polemics and literature deeply. Fully equipped and able to use· his weapons well, he was by many recognized as the most powerful opponent of innovation and change, the clearest, ablest, and most convincing defender of conservatism and orthodoxy in this country, the recognized leader of that element of his religion and race.”2

Strong Communal Leader Dr. Morais played was active in virtually every civic and charitable cause in the city of Philadelphia. However, his interests were not limited to the city in which he resided. He “carefully followed the political issues of his day both throughout the United States and around the world.” His outspoken support of President Lincoln and the North during the Civil War resulted in him being given honorary membership in the Philadelphia Union League. He maintained his public opposition to slavery and his support of the Union in the face of extreme pressure,” some of it from his own congregants.

“In 1851, after some hesitation, Morais left London for the United States to apply for the position of Hazan (Cantor and Reader) at Philadelphia's oldest and one of America's most prestigious congregations, the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation Mikveh Israel. Morais arrived in New York on March 14, 1851 and in Philadelphia three days later. On his birthday, April 13, 1851, Morais was elected Hazan of the Congregation, and sixteen years later on September 18, 1868, he received a life-time contract.” He served as Mikveh Israel’s Hazan until his passing in 1897.

In 1855 Reverend Morais married Clara Esther Weil, a teacher he met at the Hebrew Sunday School that was founded by Rebecca Gratz in 1838 in Philadelphia. Clara gave birth to seven children before her untimely passing in 1872. Sabato, who never remarried, raised these children by himself. “Of the children, Henry Samuel Morais became a founder of the Jewish Exponent of Philadelphia, a contributing editor to the Philadelphia Jewish Press and authored two books. Morais’ daughter Nina [Bonina], the oldest child, was a respected literary figure and civic leader, who eventually would move with her husband Emmanuel Cohen from Philadelphia to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Morais’ other children were his daughters Mrs. (Rebecca) Eugene Lyon, Mrs. (Gentile) Herman Loeb, [Matilda] Esther and Miriam and his son Leon.” Apparently Henry, Leon, Esther, and Miriam never married.

Orthodox Spiritual Leader

Reverend Morais “was one of the most affectionate and faithful of pastors, and with all his many interests and occupations never neglected his congregation or the immediate work connected with it. He was a daring and liberal thinker and a radical in Italian politics. Yet he was the foremost champion of American Hebrew orthodoxy. With eloquent voice and forceful pen, with earnest piety and the strength of profound conviction, he fought against innovation and upheld the ancient tenets of the law. As a Hebraist and Biblical scholar, he had few peers in the world. He studied Talmudic polemics and literature deeply. Fully equipped and able to use· his weapons well, he was by many recognized as the most powerful opponent of innovation and change, the clearest, ablest, and most convincing defender of conservatism and orthodoxy in this country, the recognized leader of that element of his religion and race.”2

Strong Communal Leader Dr. Morais played was active in virtually every civic and charitable cause in the city of Philadelphia. However, his interests were not limited to the city in which he resided. He “carefully followed the political issues of his day both throughout the United States and around the world.” His outspoken support of President Lincoln and the North during the Civil War resulted in him being given honorary membership in the Philadelphia Union League. He maintained his public opposition to slavery and his support of the Union in the face of extreme pressure,” some of it from his own congregants.

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL7R-43FF : 16 March 2018), Sabato Morais, 1897; Burial, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Mikveh Israel Cemetery #2; citing record ID 177932759, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.