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THOSE JEWISH MYSTICS

By Bennett Wayne Dean Sr.
"The Wisdom of Chief Slacabamorinico"

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Everybody knows about the Jewish New Year and how Hanukkah differs from Christmas. And I am sure most people also probably know someone of the Jewish faith active in Mobile's pre-Lenten Mardi Gras, but most are unaware that almost a hundred years ago, the Jewish citizens of Mobile actually staged Mardi Gras type balls of their own - during Lent! The Continental Mystic Crewe (C.M.C.) presented its first grand ball in 1891 a week following the climax of Mardi Gras. A society composed of prominent Jewish citizens of the city, the society was to give Lenten balls through 1913.

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   Epistle of Barnabas: the Greek and a new translation

 

Always an elaborate affair, the balls of the Continental Mystic Crewe were carried out in numerous tableaux and with costumes and scenery by the finest artists of the day - second to none and superior to most. The emblem of the C.M.C. consisted of a gate, in colonial style, upon which appeared the initials, "C.M.C." in monogram. At one side stood Folly, at the other a figure of a Continental soldier, symbols of the Crewe. Folly was sometimes shown reclining atop the stone fence as the soldier approached the gate, mask in hand.

Although all the tableaux of the C.M.C. drew critical acclaim, perhaps one of the best was in 1912, the society's 22nd anniversary. The famous moving picture of the day, "Cinderella" with Mabel Taliaferno in the title role was being shown in the hall, when it was abruptly halted and the story finished with living figures. Miss Augusta Pincus was chosen by the Crewe to portray Cinderella and lead the ball.

The discontinuance of the Continental Mystic Crewe following its ball in 1913 caused the Blue Birds to "flutter their pretty wings and flit into prominence". The 50 young Jewish matrons of the society gave their first ball on February 25, 1915, just after the onset of the Lenten period. The society gave grand balls for just three years. Its last was the 1917 "Dream of the Bluebird" - the dream being of all the past balls of the Continental Mystic Crewe, their beau, brothers and husbands being members of that organization.

Another Jewish mystic, also begun in 1915, was The Mystics. A society of Jewish men, it was heir apparent to the defunct C.M.C. Folly was chosen as emblem of the young order, just as he had been the symbol of the Continental Mystic Crewe. In a bit of deja vu, their fifth annual ball in 1920 depicted the "Dream of the Bookworm" - a dream filled with visions of all past balls of the C.M.C. and of the Blue Birds. Although supported to be the successor to the other two popular Jewish societies, the ball of 1920 was to be the last of The Mystics.

Then in 1921, after an eight year absence, the Continental Mystic Crewe reappeared for one last fling depicting "Polly of the Circus". The C.M.C. then vanished again - this time forever. Like the Blue Birds and The Mystics, let us take this opportunity to "Dream" as we review all the past balls of these three unique Jewish "Mardi Gras" mystics:

1892- Unknown 
1893- "Court of Isabella: Departure of Columbus" 
1894- "Discovery of America" 
1895- "Pictures From Faust"
1896- "Neptune and His Followers"
1897- "The Queen of Heaven"
1898- "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
1899- All in Buffoon costumes except leader as Continental gentleman
1900-"Cinderella and Her Fairy Godmother" (10th Anniversary)
1901- "The Pied Piper of Hamelin"
1902- "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp"
1903- "Cascade of the Revelers"
1904- "Legend of Olafiand from Miss Hortense Reiss on Norse Mythology" February 14.
1905- "A Glimpse of Old Nippon"
1906- "Toyland" 
1907- "Interior of Italian Palace" 
1908- Le Jardin des Roses" 
1909- "Grand Colonial Ball"
1910- "Reception Hall of Hades" (20th Anniversary)
1911- "Farthest North"
1912- "Cinderella" led by Miss Augusta Pincus 
1913- "Sindbad the Sailor" 
1914-1920- No Balls
1915- "Blue Birds"
1916- "Valentine Ball" 
1916- "Fads and Fancies"
1917-1919- Unknown
1920- "Dream of the Bookworm" 
1921- "Polly of the Circus"