The Legacy of the New Israel Society

This chapter examines the legacy of the New Israel Society in Russia in the aftermath of Tadeusz Grabianka’s arrest and subsequent death in prison in October 1807. More specifically, it carries out a study of how two members of the New Israel Society—N. F. Pleshcheeva and A. A. Lenivtsev—were able to form a relatively tight-knit circle of like-minded millenarians that soon came to include the powerful government ministers A. N. Golitsyn and R. A. Koshelev. The chapter also examines the links between the so-called Pleshcheeva Circle and the well-known prophetess Barbara von Krüdener in the early 1820s.

Light from the North

This chapter explores the five-year period between 1802 and 1807 when key members of the Avignon Society relocated to St. Petersburg in Russia. It carries out an in-depth examination of the pivotal role played by Natal’ia Pleshcheeva, the widow of Sergei Pleshcheev, the first Russian initiate of the Avignon Society, in harbouring leaders of the society in her home between 1802 and 1805. The chapter also examines the time Grabianka spent in Galicia and Podolia between 1803 and 1805, prior to his arrival in the Russian capital, when he succeeded in recruiting a number of rich, pro-Russian members of the Polish nobility. The bulk of the chapter then focuses on Grabianka’s residence in St. Petersburg between August 1805 and his arrest in February 1807, when he oversaw the initiation of over sixty new members, from among the highest echelons of the Russian nobility, into what was now known as the New Israel Society.

Initiating the Millennium

This book, the first of its kind in English, examines an initiatic society known by various names—Illuminés d’Avignon, the Avignon Society, the Union, the New Israel Society—that flourished in Berlin, Avignon, Rome, and St. Petersburg, between 1779 and 1807. The founding members of this society forged a group that embraced strands of Western esotericism (particularly alchemy and arithmancy) within an all-pervading millenarian worldview. Whilst the society incorporated aspects of high-degree Freemasonry, it was never merely a para-masonic fraternity. Instead, it offered entry into a religious community of the elect for men, women, and children who anticipated the imminent onset of the millennium. Consecrates were also able to seek divine advice from the so-called Holy Word, partake in alchemical operations to perfect the philosophers’ stone, and invoke guardian angels. As this study demonstrates, the group retained its millenarian worldview and belief in prophetic mediation with Heaven throughout its existence. But it also experienced pronounced doctrinal shifts. Notably, the early espousal of Swedenborgianism was jettisoned in late 1788 and replaced by an embrace of Marianism. This change reflected a contested turn away from a more ecumenical outlook to a more conventional Catholic society. Further, although the society ceased to function in 1807, this study examines the enduring legacy of the group in Russia and its direct influence on Emperor Alexander through the prophetess Madame Bouche, who spent two years at the imperial court (1819 to 1821). It draws on a wealth of archival material from across Europe, which reflects the pan-European composition of the society itself.

Tradisi Pendidikan Iman Anak dalam Perjanjian Lama

Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, this article shows that in ancient Israel society there was a certain educational mechanism where a child had the opportunity to learn the Scriptures (faith education). Educating children from childhood in the context of ancient Israel society is a task entrusted by God to parents and the community. Children have the right to education from their parents. Children's faith education must be done by parents. However, the community is responsible for helping families to nurture their children. The tradition of ancient Israel can be a lesson for the current context that the family is the main place in the inheritance of the faith. Abstrak: Artikel ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif-deskriptif dan menunjukkan bahwa dalam masyarakat Israel kuno telah terdapat mekanisme pendidikan tertentu dimana seorang anak mendapatkan kesempatan untuk mempelajari Kitab Suci (pendidikan iman). Mendidik anak sejak kecil dalam konteks masyarakat Israel kuno merupakan tugas yang dipercayakan Allah kepada orangtua dan komunitas. Anak-anak berhak mendapatkan pendidikan dari orangtua mereka. Pendidikan iman anak harus dilakukan oleh orangtua. Akan tetapi komunitas bertanggung jawab membantu keluarga dalam membina anak-anak mereka. Tradisi Israel kuno tersebut dapat menjadi pembelajaran bagi konteks saat ini bahwa keluarga merupakan tempat utama dalam pewarisan iman.

Ephraim Katchalski-Katzir. 16 May 1916 — 30 May 2009

Ephraim Katchalski-Katzir was a leading researcher in the development of polyamino acids, which allowed new insights into the reactions and behaviour of proteins. His work developed pathways into the exploration and investigation of antigenicity. He was a founder of the Israel Society for Biochemistry and a founding member of the European Molecular Biology Organization. He was also president of Israel between 1973 and 1978—an unusual distinction because this post was usually held by former politicians. As head of the Israeli Association of Science, he was prominent in promoting the cause of science both as president and outside his term of office. Ephraim Katchalski-Katzir passed away in May 2009.