Professor Dr. Adolf Kurrein
A portrayal of his life and work commemorating the 10th anniversary of his death
By Dr. Viktor Kurrein, Rabbi in Linz.
Adolf Kurrein, Phil. Dr. Prof. and Rabbi, was born in Trebitsch (Moravia) on 28th
January 1848 (1. Shewat 5606). He lost his father Marem Markus Kurrein at the age
of two and was brought up by his devoted mother Bella Elisabeth, née Bassist. "My
late mother," he once wrote, "was not an educated woman. She was a simple woman
in the old way from time gone by. Because of the untimely death of my late father she
was busy with the household and her two children (the boy Adolf and his sister
Katharina) throughout the week. Saturday was a real, proper, old Jewish day of rest,
dedicated to God and religion. After the service and the midday meal, my mother sat
herself on the bench by the stove, opened one of the Jewish-German prayer books
and read out aloud. One of her particular favourites was the beginning of the German
Techinna (prayer book) by Letteris, which tells of the martyrdom of Hanna's seven
sons – "Joseph at His Mother's Grave"
and other stories. On New Year's Day she
always read the tale of R. Manon from Mainz' martyrdom out of the German festive
prayer book by Landau, during which she would shed many deeply felt tears. It was
her custom to read out aloud. I took a stool, positioned myself at her feet and listened
attentively. Saturday after Saturday and on every New Year's Day she read the same
passages and I listened on every occasion as intensely and interested as if I had
heard it for the very first time. The impression this had made on me was such that to
this day I am very fond of the Agada, the religious moralistic narrations in the Talmud,
and indeed most of my publications belong to this genre."
He was sent to a private school before his sixth birthday. The lessons were
almost exclusively held in Hebrew; German was only used when reading. At the age
of seven he attended normal school for two hours each day. He continued Hebrew at
a better private school, where he also studied other subjects. This he did so
successfully that he passed the fourth grade examination in Iglau at the tender age of
twelve. The Rabbi R. Chajim Josef Pollak, commentator of the "Akedath Izchak" by
Isaak Arama, who was an excellent Hebrew and Talmud scholar from the R. Moses
Schreiber school in Pressburg, identified Adolf Kurrein to be an attentive and talented
student before long. He allowed the boy to partake in his daily two hour long talks on
the Talmud. The Rabbi gave him, together with his own son, a preparatory lesson so
that he could keep up with the older and more advanced boys. The methodology was
of such quality that after only one and a half years the reading and understanding of
easy passages of the Talmud did not require any preparations. Each Friday the
students had to be able to recount the subject matter of the whole week. It was not
necessary to know it word by word, but the students had to demonstrate their
knowledge and explain everything correctly. They dealt with the prophets including
the commentaries and translated one hour each day from German into Hebrew. He
would benefit from the fruit these lessons provided for the rest of his life. He
mastered the Hebrew language; he wrote pure Hebrew as found in the Bible and was
able to write poetry in Hebrew without any effort. He also excelled at the exterior
beauty of the language, as his quadratic as well as his italic orthography was
beautiful. He was also very adept at cutting the necessary quills for writing in Hebraic.
It was not easy for his mother to earn enough money for the upkeep. She was a plain
seamstress – in those days a laborious and badly paid job since everything had to be
done by hand. She also made Tachrichin and later on he often told the story of how
his mother had sewn her own death robe. She had even tried on the hood in front of
the mirror. When the upset boy ran up to his mother and cried: "Mother, what are you
doing?" – she answered serenely: "My child, I want to look nice when I am dead!"
Mother and daughter often sat by the light of the tallow candle, tirelessly
sewing gents’ shirts, which used to have embroidered chests in those days, while the
boy was leaning over his books and studied. "Just keep on studying," would the
mother say, who herself knew little else but work and toil. Despite her kind-heartedness and love towards her child she lacked the understanding that a child
sometimes wants to do nothing and be idle. How often would the grown-up man
repeat his mother's words to his own children: "If you don't have anything to do, take
a book and read – just do not be idle!"
A Franciscan friar, Pater Orthmar, who would teach both Jews and Christians
with equal affection and for no remuneration whatsoever, taught him Latin and Greek.
The rules were learned on an autodidactic basis as stated in the assigned books. He
remained truly thankful to the noble priest for the rest of his life. Later, when his
position as Rabbi and teacher brought him into close contact with Catholic
clergymen, he would gladly share his knowledge, thus continuing the legacy of the
humanistic Pater Orthmar.
The modest, able boy who never missed a service – come summer or winter –
was well liked in the congregation of Trebitsch. As a sign of his status he would often
have the honour of reading the Haftara in the temple – which a boy even without the
Bar Mizwa is allowed to do. On his thirteenth birthday he received the Bar Mizwa on
the Sabbath Bo. He held his Derasha, which he had composed and written out all by
himself, to everyone's satisfaction. At the age of 15 he left home equipped with an
excellent understanding of the Talmud and a knowledge of the Bible which moved
the famous Berlin Rabbi Dr. Baruch Placzek to call him "a living Bible-lexicon". Adolf
Kurrein was actually able to recall one or more verses and their exact places in the
Bible for each Hebrew root word. He went to Brünn in order to continue his studies at
the local grammar school, where he started in the fourth grade. After having handed
over an introductory letter from his former teacher, he asked Dr. Placzek whether he
could study the Talmud with him. Dr. Placzek agreed. Because of the many students
Dr. Placzek gave a number of Talmud and one Exegese lesson each week according
to Samson R. Hirsch's method, who had been his teacher. The state Rabbi Abraham
Placzek, Dr. Placzek's father, came to visit his Rabbi son nearly every week. When
he heard that a student of R. Chajim J. Pollak was in town, he advised his son to
keep an eye on him and to make sure he continued his studies. To the boy he
suggested that he should study the Shiur in the Rabbi's study even if his son could
not be present himself because of other engagements.
Kurrein remained there for two years. He was responsible for his own upkeep
and took on a position as a private tutor, which included accommodation and food as
well as a monthly allowance of 12 Gulden. Since the number of students had started
to dwindle, he stopped attending the Talmud lectures and carried on studying by
himself. He stayed in Brünn until the end of his grammar school days, which he
completed with the Matura on 3 July 1866 – the same day on which the battle of
Königgrätz/Sadowa with its disastrous outcome for Austria took place.
He was now
confronted with a choice of career. His whole being, his wish and want and that of his
pious mother, who regarded it is as a blessing if her son should become a Rabbi,
was to become just that. His religious teacher Stössel tried to dissuade him. He
reasoned that his unprepossessing countenance would hinder his attaining a position
which would reflect his abilities. Placzek, however, supported Kurrein. He decided to
go to Vienna to attend the lectures of the famous public speaker Dr. Jellinek at the
University and at the Beth Hhamidrash. In Dr. Jellinek he found a benefactor he
would retain until Jellinek's death. He supported Kurrein not only in his studies and
his scientific assignments, but also remained a benevolent benefactor when it came
to materialistic needs. He read philosophy under the Herbartian
scholar
Zimmermann, studied history and occupied himself with orientalism taught by
Professor Boller, a specialist in Indo-Germanic languages and comparative
linguistics. Other tutors included the Professors of Semitic languages Goldenthal,
Müller and Sachau, the latter being responsible for Kurrein securing his first larger
assignment for the director of the Viennese observatory, Prof. Littrow. He had to
translate the Maimonidesian lunar month calculations that were subsequently
published in the reports of the scientific faculty.
On completion of three viva voces in philosophy, history and mathematics, the
doctor's degree of the university of Vienna was conferred upon him on 5 March 1871.
A year later, on 21 July 1872, upon successful completion of the exam he accepted
the Rabbi diploma (Hatara) from the Moravian state Rabbi R. Abraham Placzek in
Boskowitz. Prior to this he had received both a Hebrew and a German diploma from
I. H. Weiß and Dr. Jellinek, both Beth Hamidrash teachers in Vienna. Soon after that
a position of Rabbi was advertised in St. Pölten, Lower Austria. He applied and,
following a well received trial sermon, was appointed Rabbi. He started on Rosh
hashono 1872. Die Neuzeit reported at the time: "Following a trial sermon on the third
of this month (August), Herr Dr. Adolf Kurrein, one of the most competent Viennese
Rabbi candidates, has been appointed as Rabbi and preacher to St. Pölten. We
would like to take this opportunity to congratulate St. Pölten congregation on this
choice." – He now held a position that perhaps did not pay much, but contented him
for the time being. His benefactor, Dr. Jellinek, though, was not satisfied and
reproached him for having accepted such a low position instead of waiting for a more
prominent appointment in Vienna. However, Kurrein argued that this enabled him to
have his poor mother join him so that he could care for her. Further, he would have
enough time to administer his duties and to further his scientific studies. Indeed, he
was quite pleased with his congregation. His mother did the household for him and
the financial situation was under control. He filled the position of Rabbi and taught
religion – it was not too much work. There was also enough time to devote himself to
the sciences and soon he published his first literary works: "About the Notrikon
Anochi",
a critique of the biblical-talmudic-rabbinical florilegium by Dr. B. Fischer; "
The Ceremony of Collecting Water During the Feast of Tabernacles ";
"The Prophet
Ezechiel's Face";
"More Thoughts on 'Servant of the Servants' of God'";
" Kindling
the Fire on Sabbath"
in the Neuzeit, which was printed in Vienna.
Further publications include a Sabbath Chanukka-sermon " The Evil Enemy
and How to Protect Ourselves From Him "
in the Rahmers Predigt-Magazin 1875
(2nd volume), and in 1873 the self-published speech "Pray For the Wellbeing of The
Sovereign "
to mark the 25th jubilee of His Majesty Emperor Franz Josef I.
His stay in St. Pölten was a pleasant one. The majority of families had an
almost patriarchal relationship to the Rabbi, who, at the time, was perhaps one of the
youngest in the whole of Austria. He enjoyed a good reputation everywhere. In 1875
the Rabbi Dr. Frank was called to Cologne and his former position in Linz a. D. was
advertised. It, too, was not a prominent position, neither in terms of congregation size
nor income. However, Linz being a state capital, it attracted a great number of
competent applicants. Trial sermons were held. To find a successor for Dr. Frank - an
excellent orator - was not easy. Then a man, who visited St. Pölten frequently,
suggested, that the young Rabbi from there should be invited to a trial sermon.
Neither cost nor risk were prohibitive to this undertaking. After his sermon Kurrein
was appointed Rabbi to Linz a. D. His first day was before Purim. On 17th January
1877 he married Jessie Loewe, daughter of Dr. Louis Loewe, principal of the Judith
Montefiore theological college in Ramsgate and Montefiore's companion on his
travels to the Orient. Much was ado in the congregation of Linz at the time. The first
Jewish House of God in the Austrian alpine states was to be built – in Linz, the state
capital of Upper-Austria. The whole undertaking was to take place with as much
grandeur as possible. The governor of Linz, Graf Wiedenfeld, the privy councillor
Fürst Metternich, the mayor Dr. Wiesner and other leading public figures were
present at the laying of the foundation stone on 16th May 1876. The Rabbi's sermon
found general approval by both Jews and Christians and was published following the
specific request by Wertheimer, a member of parliament for Upper-Austria. The
consecration of the temple took place more or less exactly one year later on 10th May
1877 following the last prayer in the old house of worship on 5th May and was an
even grander affair; the entire gentry from Linz, regardless of their confession,
attended. The preacher Dr. Jellinek from Vienna was invited to hold the inauguration
speech. However, he declined with the words: "Your preacher is able to hold a very
good inauguration speech." But he lit the eternal flame, during which he spoke
enchanting words. On top of that Prof. Sulzer, who oversaw the musical
arrangements, and a deputation from the Viennese congregation were present. The
Linz congregation had now reached its golden age. Both sermons (1877), dedicated
to Sir Moses Montefiore Bart, were also published under the title: " Two Sermonses
to Say Farewell to the Old House of Worship, to the Inauguration of the New Israeli
Temple in Linz."
A Shabuoth sermon titled " Israel, a Jewel from God"
was published in
Rahmers Predigtmagazin (3rd volume, 2nd edition, page 140). In 1880 he presented to
the public a collection of five Sermons under the title "Maggid Mereshith, the
Revelation of Creation"
dedicated to his teacher Dr. A. Jellinek. This, as well as the
subsequent collection from 1882, titled " Maggid Leadam, the Doctrine of Humanity
of the Jewry, the Human, Humanitarianism, and Humanity "
and dedicated to his
parents in law Dr. Louis Loewe and Emma, née Silberstein, in Broadstairs (England)
were very well received in the Jewish press of the time. "These Sermons are worth
being read not only by preachers, but by laymen, too. Everybody will benefit from
what these pure outbursts of soul and heart have to offer," it read. Both collections
were quickly sold out and had to be republished, this time together, under the title
"Pitche Olam, Prerevelations".
Kurrein went to Bielitz in Austrian Silesia in 1883
following the death of his mother Bella Elisabeth, née Bassist, in Linz. His workload in
Bielitz was huge. Teaching at the middle-schools consumed most of his time. The
congregation were sincere and started following him not before long. Already in 1883
he published the greater work "Talmudic Satires Against Rome"
in the Jeshurun I.
and II. volume (published by K. Bilak
in Budapest). His speeches held on the
erection of the gravestones to commemorate the Bielitz Rabbis Dr. Wolf Lesser
and
Michael Schöngut, were printed, too. He held a talk in support of the Israeli charitable
society on 21st January 1884 in the guildhall to Bielitz on "The Woman Within the
Jewry".
This talk appeared as a brochure one year later and a second edition had to
be printed. He published an essay entitled "Sir Moses Montefiore" in the Laubhütte
(S. Mayer, Regensburg, 1st volume, no. 21) and in the Monatsblätter (Brüll, 4th
volume, no.11) in commemoration of the hundredth birthday of the Jewish
philanthropist. He wrote that Sir Moses had honoured the scribe at the Feast of
Tabernacles with an Ethrog from the area, which Montefiore had bought opposite the
Jaffa Gate along the road to Hebron and subsequently left to the Jewish inhabitants
for cultivation.
His wife gave birth to their fifth child, a daughter, in 1885.
Then he started on his scientific work "The Social Question within Jewry",
which was published in the Monatsblätter in 1889.
The demanding teaching schedule at the Bielitz middle-schools soon brought
the lack of proper Jewish religious education teaching books to the pedagogically
astute Dr Kurrein's attention. At first he produced booklets by means of autography,
which contained translations of ancient texts, until, in 1887, he published a
systematically depicted literal translation called "Religious Instruction of the Tora",
which included a theoretical appendix. The work was designed for teaching in middle-schools. However, it did not become popular. Not because it was not good, but
because it demanded that the teacher left the old paths and venture onto a new one.
Dr. Cäsar Seligmann-Hamburg wrote in a letter to Dr. Kurrein in 1892: "I admit that
the more I delved into the book, the more I befriended myself with its ways. The new
and original always surprises the reader and attracts criticism until it breaks through."
Later, the Jüdische Volksstimme added on Dr. Kurrein's promotion to professor: "We
would like to take this opportunity to pose a question to the professional pedagogues
in Vienna on Jewish religious education: Are they familiar with the fact that a teaching
book by Dr. Kurrein on the Pentateuch was published years ago, which, apart from
being properly translated into contemporary German, specifically guides the teacher
in terms of religious content in the right direction?"
On 16th February 1887 he held an excellent talk on "Work and Workers in the
Jewry"
which was appropriately praised by the local press Wochenschrift and
"Silesia", and which, in 1890, was published in the Monatsblätter (10th volume) and
ended up being printed as a brochure. Four speeches, one funeral oration "The
Home of Love",
a funeral sermon for J. S. Lengfelder and two Sukkoth festival
speeches "To Be Happy And To Make Happy"
and "The Symbols of the Feast of
Tabernacles"
were published at the same time as well as his "Dream and Truth",
a
portrayal of Joseph following the Agadah, which Rahmers Literaturblatt Magdeburg
and other papers from home and abroad discussed and of which a second edition
was printed in 1888. In the same year he was invited to hold a trial sermon in Teplitz-Schönau, which led to him being offered and accepting the position. On 25th February
1888 he held his farewell speech "Think – Do Not Forget"
in the Bielitz temple,
which, together with the exhortatory speech during the youth service by Rudolf
Kestel, a loyal member of the congregation, was printed on general demand. When
he said: "I saw, I heard, I observed and I did not hold back my observations" – it was
not an empty phrase, but an honest self-reflection, which he substantiated by
showing that he did what he could to alleviate mistakes and inadequacies.
The impression this farewell speech made was enormous. The congregation,
who felt a deep and rare love towards their Rabbi, realised only now what he
represented for them and what they were about to lose. The local press, once again,
printed detailed accounts and thus supported the fact, that the mood was not an
artificial one, but was truly felt. His farewell, however, at the train station surpassed
all that had gone on before.
On 6th March 1888 Kurrein arrived in Teplitz under the provost Angelus Pick.
He took on the position in the prime of his life at the age of 42. Jellinek congratulated
him heartily and wrote: "You are one of my best and most talented pupils, you
possess verve and knowledge and when I think of you, of Dr. David and Dr.
Leimdörfer in Hamburg, I regret that I was not able to collect a greater number of
pupils around me."
Soon, on 3rd November 1888, he held and printed a speech "The Advantages
That Come With Age"
to celebrate provost Angelus Pick's 70th birthday.
The Teplitzer temple society had the speech "Israel's Treasure Cove"
printed
in 1889. The funeral oration to mark the death of crown prince Rudolf and a funeral
sermon for Bertha Bechert were published, too, and the second edition of "Dream
and Truth" (see footnote 26) was run in the same year.
On 24th November his father in law, Dr. Louis Loewe, the famous orientalist,
celebrated scholar and Montefiore's companion, passed away. Kurrein inherited a
good part of his library so that his collection started to increase in size and value.
The following year his work "The Social Question within Jewry" (see footnote
20), which had already been printed in Brüll's Monatsblätter as a serialised essay,
was published in its own right. His Bielitz-talk "Work and Workers in the Jewry" (see
footnote 22) was subsequently printed in the Monatsblätter (10th volume) and also
published as a separate print.
Kurrein's commemoration speech of the Austrian Reichsvolksschulgesetz,
"The Light of the People",
which celebrated its twentieth birthday in 1889, was put
to print by representatives of the Jewish religious community. He spent the year of
1891 in secret preparation for the 70th Birthday of his admired teacher and loyal friend
and guide Dr. Jellinek. Kurrein could not let this opportunity pass. With the
perseverance of a honeybee and the love of a dedicated collector he created in his
tranquil study "The Rays of Light from Dr. Adolf Jellinek's Sermons",
which he finally
presented to him on his birthday. No other present – so Dr. Jellinek said and wrote
again and again – was dearer to him. It had its dedicated place on his desk so that it
was always there when he needed it. Already in the same year Jellinek reciprocated,
or, in other words, showed how much the work of his student had delighted him, by
presenting Dr. Kurrein with a beautiful silver Menorah. He enclosed nothing more
than his calling-card, on which was written: "Rays of Light from Dr. Jellinek".
It was Dr. Kurrein's task to hold the inaugural ceremony for the new cemetery
in Bilin, which belonged to the Teplitz congregation, in 1892. His inaugural speech
made such an impression on Christians and Jews alike, that, following a report of the
ceremony, the local paper published the entire speech.
One must not forget that the Teplitz congregation placed great demands on
Kurrein not only as orator – during the spa-season he had to preach fortnightly -, but
also by having to attend functions, teach, maintain congregation records, care for the
poor, inspect schools as well as pastoral care and religious welfare; he never missed
morning or evening worship; each sermon and speech was meticulously researched
and worked through and despite all that he still managed to find the time to attend to
his scientific work as well as untiringly create new and original materials. Throughout,
he continued his studies, learnt his daily Shiur and kept abreast of new developments
in the sciences and in literature.
The magazine Der jüdische Kantor, printed by Blaustein-Bromberg, 14th
volume, published "Peace",
a longer essay which Kauffmann-Frankfurt printed later
on. The Prague Gemeindezeitung, 20th volume, no. 17, wrote: "The whole book's
profound content is of an appealing and popular vane. The language indicates a
dextrous writer, who, and this is a fact we would like to stress, did not fall prey to a
homiletic tone." Soon after that Der jüdische Kantor (14th volume, no. 31) published
further essays "The Meaning of Property and its Impact",
"The Menorah"
(deutsch-israelisches Familienblatt Hamburg, published by M. Deutschländer), as well as two
essays set to paper by Kurrein "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Human
Torture"
and "The 9. Ab 586 Before Conventional Chronology 70 – 135 – 1492 After
Conventional Chronology".
The first article was aimed at the societies for the
prevention of cruelty to animals, who wanted to put an end to the slaughter according
to Jewish rites. Kurrein expressed openly that their endeavours had little to do with
the prevention of cruelty to animals and were more geared to tormenting all Israelites.
The paper made sure that readers in Saxony were able to read the article. Jellinek
wrote to Kurrein on 20th February 1891: "The new treasurer, Dr. Steinbach, held a
lecture on the responsibilities that come with property in 1885, about which I wrote
critically in the previous issue of the Neuzeit to the effect, that he was more
concerned with the gospel and the fathers of the church than the views of the Jewish
scriptures. A task for you could be to write about the issue: ‘About the
Responsibilities of Property According to Biblical and Talmudic Doctrines’.
The
essay would have to be precise and written in the popular style of today." Not even a
year passed before the beginnings of a remarkable study about the responsibilities of
property was published by the Cologne based Gemeindezeitung no. 45. It was the
fruit of Jellinek's advice.
"The Responsibilities of Property"
was printed as a brochure in 1892. Such
was his way. Each and every idea had to be carried out and one may well wonder
about the quantity of the ideas as well as the perseverance that went into their
realisation.
The establishing of a rabbinical association in Bohemia and the Jewish paper
Jüdische Chronik presented him with a welcome field into which he could direct his
energies.
The "Portrayals of Patriarchs",
a result of his work in youth education, was
published in the same year. Jellinek states in his essay on the "Portrayals of
Patriarchs" in the Neuzeit (1893, 22nd September, no. 38, 33rd volume) that the
"Exhortatory Sermons for the Youth Service"
is not so easy to dispatch, if it is to
take into account pedagogy, the laws of oratory and, at the same time, is to make a
deep and lasting impression on the minds of the youthful listeners. The exhortatory
sermon during a Jewish service should be appealing, but not trivial, educational, but
not condescending, well organised, but not artificially constructed, festive, but not be
marked by exaggerated pathos. This task is not an easy one. The "Portrayals of
Patriarchs" (see footnote 41) by Dr. Kurrein, he continues, "surpass all previous
publications of the same genre. They are clear, simple, easy to understand, yet
highly educational... They are a treasure cove, which contain many a jewel,
especially real pearls from the Midrash."
In that year Jellenik was the cause of much joy for Kurrein. He sent him a
valuable silver inkstand for the Chanukka festival with the following words: "I have
sent you an inkstand for the Chanukka festival, which you are to use for composing
your sermons. I will present you with an intellectual gift, too: A collection of my
specially selected passages of the Talmud and the Midrash to use in sermons."
That present, however, was not to be. Jellinek passed away on 28th December
1893 and it seemed as though the present and the letter, presented a mere three
weeks earlier, were given to his student in a state of premonition. Kurrein never
learned why Jellinek had bestowed him with this memento – it was a spontaneous
outburst of the love that existed between student and teacher, which needed to be
expressed in a worldly fashion prior to his passing away. It was only natural that the
student hurried to the bier of the teacher, where he also represented the rabbinical
association of Bohemia. He dedicated him the article in the Neuzeit (34th volume, no.
3, 19. I. 1894) "Dr. Jellinek as Teacher"
, for which he received many letters of
thanks from Jellineks friends. Dr. Gustav von Schlesinger-Wien wrote: " In your
article ‘Dr. Jellinek as Teacher‘ you painted an excellent picture of the extensive and
enduring activities of our late friend. His unfortunate and sudden passing away
creates a void in the Jewry. Your article serves to honour you."
With Kurrein as vice-president the rabbinical association of Bohemia had
commenced activities. One of the objectives of the association was to work out a
uniform curriculum. The talk "Religious Education",
held at the association and
published by it, was dedicated to that cause. His achievements in improving and
organising religious education would require a separate article. The same can be
said for his commitment to the association, whose president he became and
remained until his death following the untimely passing away of Prague chief-Rabbi
Dr. Ehrenfelds, the previous office holder. A monument to his deeds is the
commemorative speech, which was handed to him on his 25th anniversary in office.
In 1894 he had laid the foundation stone of an undertaking, that was to keep
him busy for the rest of his life: The Jewish congregation library of Treblitz. Over a
period of a quarter of a century he acquired book after book with very little means at
his disposal and kept on asking for contributions and donations, until the library could
boast of an impressive collection of some 1,000 books. It stocked nearly all German
publications that were of value to and concerned with Jewish science and literature.
He provided rooms, organised the maintenance, did the lettings and book-keeping
and catalogued everything.
The Jüdische Chronik was a publication which was to make the teachings
available to a wider audience. During the constitutional meeting of the rabbinical
association Dr. S. Stern of Saaz suggested, that a monthly popular science
publication with the aim of inspiring interest in and advancing religious matters be
founded. This publication, cheaply produced, yet well put together and of pleasant
form and with chaste content, was bound to become a magazine for the whole family.
Dr. Kurrein of Teplitz, Dr. S. Stern of Saaz and Dr. J. Ziegler of Karlsbad were the
publishers and Stern became editor. The first edition appeared for Pessach in 1894
and it survived for seven years with the above named committee at its head for the
first three. From 1897 (4th volume) onwards, Kurrein was its sole publisher and editor.
In those seven years he wrote more than 100 essays, including longer pieces, which
also appeared as separately published works such as "Human Contact, Derech erez.
According to the Talmud"
(1896), "The Kaddish of the Mourners",
which was
reprinted twice, "The Gravestone"
(1897), "The Neshomoh-Light of the Soul"
(1898), "Judea and Rome"
(1899) and "Do Jews Need Christian Blood?"
(1900).
The chronicle closed down on 30th April 1901. Many letters were received
praising the editor and stating that the discontinuation of the magazine was met with
regret. A lovely and accurate note in a Jewish paper reads as follows: “The aim of
Die Chronik was not to generate business or advertise individuals, it did not succumb
to trends and popular opinions and was never ruled by dogmas. It always followed its
own aims without affected piety or using the wrong pathos so often applied by
orthodox rabbinical papers. Instead it pursued selflessly, unerringly and unselfishly
the aim to achieve the best for the Jewry."
But it seemed, as though he could not live without idealism. His very nature
and spirit made him continuously look for an ideal and cling onto it. Herzl’s
appearance and the first Zionist congress found mention in Die Chronik. On 11th
February he held a speech, "Half a Sheckel! A Crown for Zion!"
which eventually
got published. Early in 1899 he was once again called to the rostrum, when the
Austrian-israel Union invited him. His speech "Judea and Rome" (see footnote 49)
was published by the Union and Die Chronik and even made its way to the public by
independent means. The youth, which joined Zionism enthusiastically, soon
embraced Dr. Kurrein. One can find his essay "The Hebrew Language for Education
and Teaching"
in the Jugendfrühling the commemorative publication of the Jewish
national high-school leavers of North-western Bohemia.
Over the next years the Zionist movement, which occupied the minds and as
such made an impact even in the congregation of Teplitz, increased in strength.
Kurrein declared himself a supporter of Zionism.
When the Jewish Encyclopedia, the standard reference work created by the
American Jewry, was founded, Kurrein was asked to contribute and duly supplied a
number of essays. Following that he became involved in the Jüdische Volksstimme in
Brünn, for which he wrote between 100 and 150 articles. At the same time he
continued working on bigger independent projects for the Volkskalender, published
annually by Hickl – each of which was interesting and of value. The cycle about the
Jewish house – "The Seder",
"Moses", "Samuel and Elia",
"Mordechai and
Haman",
"The Three Heroines of the Megilla"
, "Rabbi Israel Baal Shem, Israel
Besht" and "Rabbi Jehuda hachossid" – serves as an example.
Zionism soon recognised the great and powerful strength of this man and he
received countless invitations to give speeches and talks from all over. One of the
first to request Kurrein was the association Hashachar in Bielitz (1902). He went
there, gave his talk and enraptured the entire congregation. He had to return and
return he did. He held further Sermons in Brünn, Breslau, Karlsbad, Berlin, Gleiwitz,
Beutzen, Chemnitz, Prague, Pilsen, Kolin and other cities. Some speeches were
published, such as "Zionism",
"Herzl's Plans"
etc.
Publications such as Mitteilungen des Distriktkommittees für Böhmen, the
Jüdische Revue and the annual Die Stimme der Wahrheit (Zionismus und
Idealismus) asked for his contribution and received it. Student fraternities requested
articles by him for their commemorative publications. To the anniversary of the
twentieth semester (1906) of the Emunah he supplied the article "Jewish
Centenaries"
and he sent the essay "Biblical Teachings of Happiness"
to the Bar
Kochba in Prague. His oratory performances in the pulpit reached an ever higher
degree of perfection, became simpler, more carefully researched and went deeper
into the subject matter. On New Year's day in 1904 (5665) he held the sermon "Think
correctly – Live correctly",
which can be described as an oratory masterpiece and
was subsequently published by an astute member of the audience (H. Sidney Riethof
in Teplitz). The same can be said of his school work and his teaching. In 1904 the
state department for schools conferred the title of Professor on him – in those days a
rarity. His efforts as president of the rabbinical society had the effect, that this title is
bestowed on each Bohemian Rabbi following a certain time in office. The "Society for
the Collection and Conservation of Jewish Art and Historical Monuments"
in Vienna
appointed him as their curator.
He celebrated his 40th anniversary in office in 1912. It was a lovely celebration
and Dr. Schwarz of Prague, Dr. Stern of Saaz, and Dr. Biach of Brüx all gave
speeches in the name of the rabbinical association.
In 1913 he had his 25th anniversary in Teplitz. It was a day the congregation
did not want to let pass without festivities. It was a day of jubilation and happiness;
the congregation demonstrated a sincere and heartfelt friendship and honoured
Kurrein. The Provost Dr. Stein said in his speech: "The last quarter of a century has
left its marks! Even if your appearance may have changed, but you have remained
unchanged when it comes to carrying out your duties so untiringly and objectively.
You serve as an example to all of us."
The Jewish press published articles of praise and the uncommonly active
participation from Jews from all walks of life on this day of honour expressed their
admiration of his exemplary behaviour. The rabbinical association dedicated an
address to him, which outlined his achievements perfectly. Rabbi Dr. Schwarz of
Prague was the speaker and his words received a well earned rapturous welcome.
The Jüdische Volksstimme printed an article (by Dr. Kanters, Zwittau). "Never could
anyone have honoured me in a more pleasant and true manner," Dr. Kurrein used to
say. This gave him great pleasure.
But 1913 was also a year of sadness. An illness made an operation
unavoidable. He, who had never been ill and who had no idea of its implications, had
to cede all activities for one year on the advice of the privy councillor Dr. Eiselsberg.
His son came from Meran to perform his father’s duties in Treplitz. It was a serious
and difficult operation on the intestine, which resulted in him being in some
discomfort for the rest of his days. He did not, however, want the public to know
about his sufferings. Kurrein was unable to control his weakness, which left him
needing to take short breaks during the day. But again and again he struggled to his
feet to work.
During such a break from work, following a minor discomfort, and after he had
fulfilled his duties over the festive days with impressive vigour and vitality, he passed
away in his sleep without fight or lament on Erew rosh chodesh Cheshwan, the 23rd
October 1919.
His funeral on Tuesday 28th October – one wanted to wait for the son's arrival
from far away - was wistful, but provided overwhelming proof that people recognise,
love and honour true value. The whole town participated in the funeral procession;
there was nobody who did not have something good to say. A deep sense of respect
for Dr. Kurrein was prevalent in all and sundry. What the authorities – spiritual and
secular, Jewish and non-Jewish – contributed during those days in terms of paying
their respect, demonstrated, that this was a recompense for honest work, for an
ambition pure and ideal, which all earthly gains cannot match.