Gutheim, James Koppel. (1817-1886). Several of his sermons have been published. Training in his native Westphalia as a teacher, came to the U.S. around 1843. In 1846, became rabbi of what is now the Isaac M. Wise Temple in Cincinnati. In 1850, moved to New Orleans as leader of the Shaare Chesed Congregation and in 1853 became hazzan of the New Orleans Spanish-Portuguese Congregation. Refusing to take the oath of allegiance when Northern troops captured New Orleans, he saved the Jews of Alabama and Georgia until the end of the War. From 1868 to 1872 he preached in English at Temple Emanu-el in New York City. Returning to New Orleans, he served the new Temple Sinai until his death. The acknowledged leader of the Jewish community, he also held… Go to person page >