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Object 15. Dinner at the Adler Society, Oxford, 9 February

1930

Description:

The Adler Society was founded in 1904, on the initiative of the Unversity Section of the Oxford Hebrew Congregation, which, following in the example of the Schechter Society in Cambridge (founded in 1902) meant to create a forum for the discussion of religious, literary and other Jewish matters. The Society met usually twice a term and these meetings were devoted to a wide range of social and intellectual topics. Nevertheless, Jewish social life in Oxford remained less organized and vivacious in comparison to Cambridge. This situation was going to change with Herbert Loewe’s appointment as lecturer in Exeter College in 1914 and did indeed change in 1920 after his return from military service, when he actually could have started serious work. Besides taking up his academic duties, Loewe managed to re-organize and revive Jewish social and intellectual life in Oxford. In 1933, the Adler Society and the Zionist Society were merged together creating the Oxford University Jewish Society.
 
The Adler Society celebrated its 25th anniversary in February 1930 at the Randolph Hotel. The photograph on exhibit represents the celebrants—there were some 60 guests—at the dining table. The eight-course dinner (cost 10 shillings and 6 p) had a French menu accompanied by a Hebrew commentary.

Credits: Leopold Muller Memorial Library, Raphael Loewe Pamphlets Collection, shelfmark: Oxford II, 6 a-c