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History See other History Articles Title: Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Discovered Moses Jacob Ezekiel: Discovered A statue of Thomas Jefferson stands in front of the Rotunda, the iconic building, designed by Jefferson that identifies the University of Virginia, which he founded in 1819. Everyone, who visits The University, walks past both on the way to the Lawn, the expanse of greenery, bordered by student rooms and flanked by white columns. Yet, it is likely that very few have ever taken the time to stop and observe in detail this life-size statue of Jefferson. During our formative four years at The University, we probably walked and more likely rushed past the imposing Mr. Jefferson a thousand times on our way to class or Alderman Library. Yet, had we stopped and studied the statue, it still would not have led us to Moses Jacob Ezekiel. A one page article in the fall 2014 issue of the University of Virginia Magazine, entitled, “God Is In the Details,” did. It related the story of an unnamed visiting professor, who pointed out a curious feature on the base of the statue, which he brought to the attention of W. Scott Harrop, an adjunct lecturer in The University’s department of Middle Eastern and South Asian languages and cultures. The names of deities, including God, Jehovah, Brahma, Atma, Ra, Allah and Zeus, are carved on a tablet, held by one of the statue’s four spirits, representing religious freedom. The others represent liberty, justice, and freedom. Intrigued, Harrop began investigating. Who was the sculptor and what was he--or she--attempting to do? He discovered Moses Jacob Ezekiel, who completed the statue in 1910. He also came upon a letter he had written to his father in which he explained that “under our government, they mean, and are all God---and have no other meaning and have each an equal right and protection of our just laws as Americans.” Was Ezekiel aware of the three accomplishments Jefferson wanted on his grave marker? Buried at his beloved Monticello, his grave stone notes: “Author of the Declaration of American Independence, the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia. “ Noticeably missing is his service as President. So who was Moses Jacob Ezekiel? He was born on October 28, 1844 in Richmond, Virginia, one of fourteen children of Jacob Ezekiel and Catherine de Castro. His grandparents were of Spanish-Jewish origin and had immigrated to Philadelphia in 1808. From there the family moved to Richmond, a city historically documented for its anti-Semitism in the 1860’s. On September 17, 1862, just before his 18th birthday, Ezekiel boldly entered the Virginia Military Institute, America’s first state military college, founded in 1839. Not only did it hold this distinction, but Ezekiel became its first Jewish cadet. Being the first Jew was not without incident. While his cadetship was typical, he was targeted for special attention by his upper classmates for being Jewish. He apparently later remarked that he successfully resisted their attempts at physical abuse. One’s religion quickly becomes a matter of public knowledge if not a target of scorn. Yet, he later wrote, “The VMI where every stone and blade of grass is dear to me, and the name of the cadet of the VMI, the proudest and most honored title I can ever possess.” While a student, Ezekiel sought a furlough to join his family for Passover. VMI never had to deal with such a request. It was a first. Superintendent Major General F.H. Smith had to obtain the permission of the Board of Visitors for Ezekiel to join his family for the “Feast of Unleavened Bread.” May 13, 1864. The Civil War was raging. VMI sent a cadet battalion of 257 to fight in the Battle of New Market in the Shenandoah Valley. It marched a tough 80 miles to fight General Grant’s Union forces. Outnumbered,untested college students fighting veteran soldiers. It was hand-to-hand combat. The ground was wet. Some of the cadets lost their shoes in the mud. The battle lasted for hours. It has been described as an “incredible moment in American military history.” The students were victorious, but paid dearly. Ten cadets lay dead or dying while another 45 had been wounded. One fatally-wounded cadet, a freshman, was Thomas Garland Jefferson, the grand nephew of Thomas Jefferson. He had been hit by cannon fire. His roommate was Moses Ezekiel. Although wounded and shoeless, Ezekiel searched for him after the battle ended. Upon finding his weakened and dying classmate, he managed to procure a wagon and had him taken to a nearby house where he lingered for three days. Jefferson asked Ezekiel to read to him from the Bible. He read from John 1:4 of the New Testament: “In my Father’s house there are many mansions…” Ezekiel held Jefferson in his arms as the 17 year old uttered his final words, “Moses, it is getting darker and darker.” Six of the ten cadets killed at New Market are buried at VMI beneath a monument surmounted by a bronze statute. The sculptor is Ezekiel, who returned to VMI after seeing more action, defending, somewhat ironically, his hometown, Richmond. He graduated in the class of 1866. He went on to study anatomy at the Medical College of Virginia the following year. The sculpture is known as Virginia Mourning Her Dead. Annually, on May 15, VMI solemnly commemorates New Market Day. A roll call is held. A representative of the same companies from which the fallen cadets had been members answers, “Died on the field of honor, Sir.” There is three volley salute, followed by taps. The entire school passes Ezekiel’s sculpture. In 1870 Ezekiel moved to Berlin to study at the Royal Art Academy. While in Berlin he won the prestigious Michel-Beer Prix de Rome Competition at the age of 29. The winning stipend allowed him to move to Rome where he remained for 31 years. B’nai B’rith, an international Jewish organization, commissioned him to sculpt a statue for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. He created Religious Liberty, which now stands at the Philadelphia Museum of American Jewish History. He designed a stained glass window for Temple Knesseth Israel in Philadelphia. During his life he executed nearly two hundred monuments in bronze and marble. His last work was a bronze statue of Edgar Allan Poe, who had been a student not only at the University of Virginia but at West Point. Poe also lived for a short time in Richmond. During his life Ezekiel was honored by Italian kings, U.S. presidents, General Robert E. Lee, Mark Twain, Kaiser Wilhelm II and J.P. Morgan, among others. He died in Italy on March 27, 1917, but, due to World War I, his body was not returned to the U.S. until 1921 and was buried at the foot of the Confederate Memorial, Section 16, at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker reads simply: “Wounded Sergeant of Company C Battalion of the Cadets of VMI.” A dispatch from the New York Times reported: “The death of Moses Ezekiel, the distinguished and greatly beloved American sculptor, who lived in Rome for more than forty years, caused universal regret here.” Although a book has been recently published about him, Ezekiel is one of those historical figures, who has all but faded from memory. Yet, his intriguing and fascinating life presents a convergence of the Civil War, anti-Semitism, true loyalty, courage, U.S. Presidents, remarkable talent, and a voice for religious freedom, to name a few. Like so many great artists before and after, his works live on. People will enjoy great music and plays and observe great art or sculpture. They will not know the artists, long forgotten, but they will live forever in their genius and talents through their creations. Behind every form of art, there is a life story. How often we listen but do not hear. How often we look but do not really see. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 17.
#2. To: All (#0)
Just a little reminder that when we go Jew bashing, and I'm as guilty as the next man, that perhaps we shouldn't use such a wide brush...especially us Southern Partisans......
For my part, I do not take issue with anyone's chosen faith, provided it's a religion/faith that does not declare the holder of it to be intrinsically superior to other people, which unfortunately includes at least the more orthodox Jewish view that "Jews are God's chosen people and gentiles are not equal to us, so they exist primarily for our benefit". Such attitudes as that are the cause of serious atrocities, such as what we are seeing thrust upon Israel's neighbors by Israel itself, including land grabs ("God gave this land to us"). It's likely also the root cause of Israel leaching US taxpayer money to the tune of some $3 billion a year, not to mention the activities of AIPAC in imposing upon the US populous the will of the Israeli government. Having said that, there is one guy I know who is Jewish and I have a great deal of respect for him, because he is selfless, never imposing and he likes to help people of any and all kinds. He's humble and quick to sincerely apologize if he finds he wrongs someone. I have no doubt there are a great many other Jews like him. In fact there is a movement in Israel by Jews who are very much opposed to the heavy handed tactics and state-sanctioned crimes that government is carrying out. So yes, I agree with your "broad brush" statement. There are good and bad people in every sizeable cross section of society you can imagine.
#18. To: Pinguinite (#17)
Talk about an acceptable "broad brush" statement.... That's an excellent "broad brush" statement you've got there, Pinguinite. I like your "broad brush" statement!
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