Constitution and By-Laws of the American Jewish Publication Society (Philadelphia: C. Sherman), 5606 [1845].

Jewish Books in America

Recognizing the connection between the publication of Jewish books and the intellectual vitality of a community, Isaac Leeser (1806-1868) of Philadelphia founded the first American Jewish Publication Society in 1845. The preamble to the Constitution and By-Laws emphasized the importance of fostering Jewish literature within the community. Sadly Leeser's society folded after only a few years, and it was not until 1888 that a new Jewish Publication Society of America was founded.