Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise (1819-1900) - Find a Grave Memorial

Religious Leader, Author. Isaac Mayer Wise was highly responsible for the development of Judaism in the United States as a pioneer Reform Rabbi and considered as America's most prominent Jewish leader during the 19th century. He studied the Bible and the Talmud while a young boy both privately and in various schools before completing his formal education at the Universities of Prague and Vienna. He became a Rabbi in Bohemia when he was 23. Because of restrictions against Jews in his homeland, he emigrated to the United States, arrived in New York in 1846, and changed his last name from Weiss to Wise. He soon became Rabbi of the Beth El Congregation in Albany, New York and reformed religious services by introducing sermons in the vernacular, confirmation, choral singing, and the seating of men and women together. Some of his changes were met with disapproval and he was ousted from the congregation in 1850. He established a new Reform synagogue with his followers until he was sent to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1854 to become Rabbi of another Reform Congregation, Bene Yeshurun. His goal to unify the Orthodox and Reform congregations resulted with the organization of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1873 and the establishment of the Hebrew Union College in 1875. The college was the first Jewish seminary in the United States and Wise was elected to become its president. He then became president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 1889. Wise also organized the Plum Street Temple in Cincinnati. He authored several works during his lifetime that included novels, historical essays, doctrines, prayer books, and editorials.

Bio by: K Guy