Mr Flanagan, The Chaplain, and Mr Lincoln
Via Mike Musante, here's an announcement about a new historical video available for purchase:
NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release June 6, 2012
CONTACT: Paul Weinberg
(800) 832-0980
(732) 462-3522
info@aldenfilms.com
ALDEN FILMS announces:
MR. FLANAGAN, THE CHAPLAIN AND MR. LINCOLN
At the beginning of the Civil War, Michael Allen, a Philadelphia religious Jew but not a rabbi (a chaver), joined the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, a regiment assembled by Colonel Max Friedman. Know as the "Cameron's Dragoons," the regiment which contained a large portion of Jewish volunteers, elected Allen as a regimental chaplain, the first Jew to serve in this capacity in the United States Army.
As nondenominational chaplain, Captain Allen served as chaplain for all the company's soldiers, regardless of religious affiliation. But on July 22, 1861, Congress enacted a law which required all appointed chaplains to be ordained ministers of a Christian denomination. A representative of the Philadelphia YMCA, visiting the encampment of the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry shortly thereafter, was appalled to discover that Allen was a Jew, and immediately publicized the fact.
Rather than subject his family to the humiliating ordeal of his dismissal, Allen resigned on September 23, 1861, citing poor health. Thus ended the brief career of the first Jewish chaplain in U.S. military history. The forced resignation of Michael Allen, when so many unqualified chaplains professing Christianity remained in office, enraged Colonel Friedman as an act of anti-Jewish bigotry that should not go unanswered.
Determined to appoint a Jewish chaplain for his regiment, but wanting a man of impeccable credentials whose rejection by the government could be for no reason other than religious prejudice, Friedman turned to the recently established Board of Delegates of American Israelites, whose charge was the safeguarding of civil rights of the Jewish community, to recommend a suitable candidate. The man selected was a Dutch Jew educated in England, the civilian Rabbi Arnold Fischel. Having recently resigned as Rabbi of New York's Sephardic congregation Shearith Israel, Rabbi Fischel was immediately available. This video shows the historical events leading to the appointment of Rabbi Fischel as the first legally appointed Jewish chaplain in the Union Army.
You can view a short clip of this film by clicking this link: http://youtu.be/qIedPCNCDW8
For orders and previews, call 800-832-0980, 732-462-3522; Fax 732-294-0330; e-mailinfo@aldenfilms.com; or write to ALDEN FILMS, P.O. Box 449, Clarksburg, NJ 08510.
Price: $24.95 Length: 30 Minutes ISBN: 978-1-877684-50-0