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Elm
Street, New York.
The
first public examination of the pupils educated at the above institute
took place at the establishment on Sunday, the 8th day of
Tebeth, 5604, A. M. before a large and intelligent auditory. Pursuant to
an invitation proclaimed in all the Synagogues, long before the
commencement of the exercises, the spacious school-rooms were crowded to
excess; the boys, varying in age from six to fourteen years, looked the
picture of health, were dressed in their Sabbath clothing, and vying
with each other to give satisfaction to their patrons. Their intelligent
faces gave evidence of their readiness to undergo the ordeal of a strict
and searching examination. The Rev. S. M. Isaacs, I. B. Kursheedt, Esq.,
Judge Noah, and John I. Hart, Esq., were appointed a committee to
examine the pupils, assisted by Messrs. Nelson and Goldsmith, the
English and Hebrew masters. The first course commenced at 10 A. M., when
the several junior classes were examined in Hebrew reading, translating
several portions of the liturgy, English reading, writing, and
arithmetic. The proficiency of the boys was manifested in the plaudits
of an admiring audience. The first course having concluded their tasks,
the President of the Institute, A. L. Levy, Esq., addressed the
subscribers and visitors in his usual able manner, followed by the Rev.
S. M. Isaacs, who delivered a long and heart-stirring address, which is
much too long for the pages of the Occident. The chief points were
congratulatory to the members of the Elm Street Synagogue, for the
herculean task they had achieved in establishing a school for Jews, for
theological and commercial education; destined to be a nucleus for every
noble achievement; he praised the boys for the improvement they had
made; then turning to the audience, he continued: "Callous must be
that heart, which, taking a retrospective glance at what we were but two
years since, our sacred literature impoverished, our youth taught every
thing but the knowledge of God, and seeing what a short time has
accomplished, hard must be that heart, which will not be ready to
exclaim with joy, 'these are of the children of the Hebrew,'" The
reverend gentleman dwelt with much force on the benefits that would
result from this "religious nursery," speculating on the
probability that many of the future ministers of our religion will have
received the rudiments of their education at the Talmud Torah. After
dwelling on the importance of Hebraic lore, he introduced the first
classes to the notice of their friends and patrons. Some twenty boys
were now examined in the Pentateuch; they professed to be perfect in
Genesis, and an analytic examination confirmed their opinion. They were
well versed in all the grammatical rules, and were frequently impeded in
their progress by the applause of the audience. This class was succeeded
by a class in geography, and another in English grammar. Again success
crowned their efforts. The Hebrew Catechism was the next course of
examination; and this was indeed a mental treat for all who have a
national feeling. Declamation concluded the exercises; and all departed
highly pleased with the progress of the boys, and the success of the
Institute.
Twenty-eight
prizes, some very expensive, were awarded by the board of directors to
the most deserving. No collection taken up, the directors being desirous
to place the establishment on a more permanent basis than the precarious
custom of handing round a plate. They solicit subscribers at not less
than $4 per annum, and will be happy to receive voluntary donations from
any person who may think the institution a public good. It will also be
as well to inform those living at a distance, that although the
expenditure is $1500 per annum, mainly contributed by the members of the
Elm Street Synagogue, yet the doors are open to receive the scion of
Judaism, whether his parents are connected with that Synagogue, or any
other.
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