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| Kalakaua Torah |
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THE KALAKAUA TORAH & POINTER
This Sefer Torah (Pentateuch) and Pointer were
brought to Hawaii in 1886 by Elias Abraham
Rosenberg who came here from San Francisco.
Although the rabbinical lists do not contain his name,
he called himself a rabbi. He appears to have
ingratiated himself with King David Kalakaua and
became a royal soothsayer, of sorts, preparing
horoscopes and prophecies for the King as well as
telling him Bible stories and teaching him Hebrew.
When Rosenberg hastily returned to San Francisco in
1887, because of political unrest in Hawaii, he left the
Torah and Pointer with Kalakaua for safe-keeping.
brought to Hawaii in 1886 by Elias Abraham
Rosenberg who came here from San Francisco.
Although the rabbinical lists do not contain his name,
he called himself a rabbi. He appears to have
ingratiated himself with King David Kalakaua and
became a royal soothsayer, of sorts, preparing
horoscopes and prophecies for the King as well as
telling him Bible stories and teaching him Hebrew.
When Rosenberg hastily returned to San Francisco in
1887, because of political unrest in Hawaii, he left the
Torah and Pointer with Kalakaua for safe-keeping.
When Rabbi Julius J. Nodel saw the Scroll, he researched it and confirmed that it was, indeed, the
Kalakaua Torah Scroll.
Kalakaua Torah Scroll.
Dr. Jacob Adler, Professor Emeritus, UH-Manoa
Rabbi Julius J. Nodel, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Emanu-El
Rabbi Julius J. Nodel, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Emanu-El
The pointer and scroll, along with other artifacts of King Kalakaua, eventually came into the
possession of the Kawananakoa family (descendants of Kaumualii, king of Kauai) through Queen
Kapiolani. During the 1930's and 40's -- the times are uncertain -- the family graciously lent the
scroll from time to time to the Honolulu Jewish community for High Holy Day services. Through
her grandmother, Princess Abigail Campbell Kawananakoa (1882-1945), the pointer came into
the possession of Abigail Kekuaulike Kawananakoa. Through a friend of hers it came into the
possession of rabbi Roy Rosenberg of Temple Emanu-El. At the dedicatory services of Temple
Emanu-El on May 29, 1960, Rabbi Rosenberg also dedicated the pointer to the temple. It is
believed that, subsequently, the Kalakaua Torah also came into the possession of Temple
Emanu-El from the Kawananakoa family.
possession of the Kawananakoa family (descendants of Kaumualii, king of Kauai) through Queen
Kapiolani. During the 1930's and 40's -- the times are uncertain -- the family graciously lent the
scroll from time to time to the Honolulu Jewish community for High Holy Day services. Through
her grandmother, Princess Abigail Campbell Kawananakoa (1882-1945), the pointer came into
the possession of Abigail Kekuaulike Kawananakoa. Through a friend of hers it came into the
possession of rabbi Roy Rosenberg of Temple Emanu-El. At the dedicatory services of Temple
Emanu-El on May 29, 1960, Rabbi Rosenberg also dedicated the pointer to the temple. It is
believed that, subsequently, the Kalakaua Torah also came into the possession of Temple
Emanu-El from the Kawananakoa family.
