The Am Ha-Aretz, The Ancient Hebrew Parliament

Mayer Sulzberger [1843-1923], a Philadelphia judge, orator and philanthropist, was one of the most influential figures in the Jewish community during his lifetime. Known as the "dean of American Jewry," he was elected judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in 1895 and 1904 and was one of the founders of the Young Men's Hebrew Association. Mayer Sulzberger Junior High School in Philadelphia is named in his honor. A keen bibliophile, he owned many important works of Hebraica and Judaica that are housed today in the libraries of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and the Center for Judaic Studies, University of Pennsylvania.