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By N. L.
(Continued
from issue #9)
The necessary funds having been raised, proposals
were issued for rebuilding the Synagogue. The plan proposed by Mr.
Warner, architect, of New York, and the estimate of Mr. David Lopez,
were accepted. The building, when completed, cost $40,000. The work was
commenced immediately, and the corner stone laid on the 25th
Tebeth, 5600, being Thursday, the 3rd of January, 1840. The
old corner stones were first deposited, and on them placed a parchment
roll containing the names of the vestry, the names of the members of the
congregation, the list of contributions received for rebuilding the
Synagogue, a list of the officers, the names of the building committee,
and the names of the mechanics. The keys of the old Synagogue were also
deposited on the old corner stones, and above them placed a tablet
bearing the following inscription:
"The Synagogue erected in 5552 by the
particular aid of Israel Joseph and Philip Hart, then presiding at that
period, was destroyed by fire on Saturday, 3rd Iyar, 5598. By
the recovery of the Insurance, and the liberality of the members, its
re-erection commenced in Kislev 5600. On relaying the former corner
stones, Mr. Nathan Hart, President, deposited the one of Israel Joseph,
his uncle, Mr. A. Ottolengui, the one of his father, and the Rev. G.
Poznanski laid this corner stone in presence of A. M. Hertz, Isaiah
Moses, and Joshua Lazarus, Trustees, and the congregation
generally."
The stone also bore the following Hebrew
inscription, from the pen of the Rev. G. Poznanski:
האבן
הזאת יהיה
בית אלהים
בית קדשנו
אשר בנו
אבותינו
בשנת התקנב
היה לשרפת אש
בליל שבת קדש
ג אייר שנת
התקצה כאשר
העיר יי את
רוחנו לבנות
הבית על
מכונו
הרחבנו אתו
והנחנו אבן
בחדש טבת התר
While the building was in progress of erection, a
petition was presented to the Trustees, (July 8th, 1840,)
signed by thirty-eight members, praying "that an organ be erected
in the Synagogue, to assist in the vocal part of the service." This
petition was deemed an infringement of the first article of the
constitution, and so declared by the Board of Trustees by a vote of four
to one. A general meeting of the congregation took place soon
afterwards, and the decision of the board was overruled by a vote of 47
to 40, and the prayer of the petitioners granted by a vote of 46 to 40.
This circumstance unfortunately caused a division of the congregation,
nearly forty members withdrawing, who thought instrumental music on the
Sabbath a violation of our sacred laws, and an innovation in the service
established throughout the world.
The Synagogue was completed in February 1841, and
is a building of the most chaste and classical architecture. It is the
model of a Prostyle Grecian Doric Temple, and its portico a Hexastyle;
the columns are four feet in diameter at their base, and fluted in the
style peculiar to that order. The length of the building is eighty feet,
and the portico fifteen feet wide, making its entire length ninety-five
feet, and its width 56 feet. Its entire height from the ground to the
apex of the pediment is forty-six feet. The base of the building is
three feet high, its material Quincy granite, which is surmounted by a
bold base moulding of brown stone. The antaes on the four corners of the
building have their stone capitals highly enriched and carved. The
architrave, friece, and cornice, and strictly carried out and
embellished, with the mutule, triglyph, and guttae, which belong
exclusively to the Grecian Doric order. The only entrance to the
interior is to the west, by a flight of granite steps, running the
entire width of the building, and finished against solid granite
buttresses, on which are placed highly wrought candelabras. The floor of
the portico is of tesselated marble, and the ceiling is highly furnished
in stucco, in double countersunk panels enriched. Over the door, which
is eighteen feet high, by nine feet wide, and highly wrought, is a
marble tablet, bearing the following inscription in Hebrew and English:
שמע
ישראל יי
אלהינו יי
אחד
"Hear,
O Israel, the Lord our God is the sole Eternal Being."
The interior fully sustains the favourable
impression of the beholder after the exterior view. That which first
attracts the eye on entering the building is the ark, situated in the
east end. Its material is highly polished mahogany, of a semi-elliptical
form, the base enriched with acanthus leaves. When opened it presents
the interior richly decorated with crimson satin damask drapery. The
receptacle for the ark, or covering beneath which it stands, is
supported by ten columns and antaes of the Corinthian order, after the
style of the Temple of Lysierides. The entablature is also of the same
order, and the frieze of black marble bears this inscription in large
gilt letters:
"Know before whom thou standest."
Surmounting
the whole structure are two tables of polished black marble, which
contain the Decalogue in gilt letters. The tablets are supported on each
side by beautiful and graceful through-carved ornaments, which are also
highly gilt. The ascent to the ark is by a flight of steps richly
carpeted, and terminating against beautifully carved and ornamented
scroll buttresses. On each buttress are placed two large bronzed
candlesticks, four and a half feet high, of the Corinthian order. The
gallery is supported by fluted Ionic columns, capitals and entablature
(after the example of the Erecthion at Athens), the entablature is
surmounted by a handsomely finished balustrade, (instead of panelling,)
which is much better adapted to our warm climate, and adds greatly to
the harmony and beauty of the whole building. Near the west entrance is
the Taybah, a square elevation, surmounted by a rich and highly polished mahogany balustrade, in keeping with the
gallery, the embellishments on which are in bronze. On this platform is
the desk of the Hazan, supported by a rich mahogany table; a highly
wrought mahogany sofa stands on the west end of the platform, and on its
four corners are placed four large candlesticks of the same style and
description of those near the ark. The ceiling is a dome formed by
segments of circles on the four sides of the walls. From the lower part
of these segments, and at their junction with each other, are sprung
four spandrels flowing gracefully into, and forming the periphery of the
base of the dome, which is fifty feet in diameter, and six feet high,
enriched with fourteen panels, ornamented with carved mouldings in
stucco, the whole exhibiting exactness, precision, and grandeur, without
being florid. The centre of the dome is finished with a magnificent
stucco centre-piece, from which suspends a beautiful chandelier, (the
liberal donation of Mr. Jacob Barrett,) from the celebrated house of
Cornelius & Co., Philadelphia. It is of bronze, with large and
brilliant lustres, and burning eighteen astral lamps in two tiers. On
the west of the gallery is the organ, built by Erben & Co., of New
York, in front of which are placed the seats of the choir.
The
order, finish, and decorations of the entire building have been justly
admired, and reflect the highest credit upon our townsman, Mr. David
Lopez, a native mechanic, and one of our persuasion; and the Board of
Trustees expressed the sentiments of every member of the congregation,
when they unanimously passed the following well-deserved resolution:
"Resolved, That the Board of Trustees fully appreciate the
admirable manner in which the contract to build the new Synagogue has
been carried out by the builder, Mr. David Lopez, not only with respect
to the materials used, but also the superior workmanship, zeal, taste
and fidelity exhibited throughout." The Synagogue was consecrated
in March, 1843. On the day
appointed, the crowd assembled was so great that hundreds were compelled
to retire, being unable to obtain an entrance; The Sepharim were carried
by the Trustees of the Synagogue from the Tabernacle to the new
building, accompanied by six of the oldest members of the congregation,
and followed by the Parnass and Hazan. The outer door was opened by the
Shamass. As soon as the Trustees approached the inner door, they took
their position between the pillars which support the front gallery. The
Hazan then sounded the Shofar four times, and the choir commenced the
services by singing the 118th Psalm of David. During the
singing of this psalm, the Trustees bore the sacred rolls around the
Taybah, and at the conclusion of the psalm, ascended it, and, took
their station in the rear of the same. The Hazan then descended, and
with the assistance of two members of the congregation, proceeded to the
היכל,
where he lighted for the first time the תמיד or
perpetual lamp. The Hazan then returned to the Taybah, and read an
appropriate hymn composed for the occasion by Miss P. Moïse which was
sung by the choir. The blessing for the congregation was then read by
the Hazan, followed by the 67th Psalm, sung by the choir;
after which a prayer in behalf of the government was offered, at the
conclusion of which the Sepharim were carried and deposited in the
היכל,
while the choir sung the 29th Psalm. A hymn composed by Mr.
J. C. Levy was sung, and the Hazan pronounced a discourse. At the
conclusion of which a hymn composed by Mr. C. Moïse was sung. The
benediction of the Hazan concluded this very interesting ceremony, and
the numerous assemblage dispersed highly gratified with the religious
rites.
We
have thus feebly endeavoured to trace the origin of the Hebrew
congregation of this city, and to give a faint outline of its general
character an to the present time. We have little more to add; but cannot
close this imperfect sketch without again reverting to the valour and
patriotism of our forefathers, many of whom joined their country's
ranks, and during the great and doubtful struggle of '76, endured every
privation in common with their fellow-citizens, and afterwards enjoyed
in common with them the great blessings of civil and religious freedom,
the reward of their valour and their sufferings. The members of our
congregation have been included among the members of the legislature;
they have exhibited among them men of superior literary attainments;
have adorned the professions of law and medicine; have held high and
distinguished stations in the army and navy; occupy the first rank in
mercantile life; holding offices of honour and emolument in banking
institutions, of high character; and are greatly esteemed and respected
by the community in which they dwell. The only circumstance that mars
the enjoyment and pride we feel while dwelling on the above, is the
lamentable fact that we are convulsed with internal discord; anarchy and
dissention prevail among us, and the tribunals of the country have been
appealed to to settle the same.
This
state of things cannot but be deeply regretted by every lover of his
religion, and the philanthropist cannot but view with emotions of deep
sorrow and regret the present situation of our congregators, who have
hitherto practised the virtues of charity, forbearance, peace, and
good-will—been bound together by a unity of sentiment and
action,—now present the fragments of a disjointed tribe, rent asunder
by fierce party strife, and arrayed in hostile position against each
other. We fervently pray that concord and harmony may be soon restored
among us, and that the God of Israel grant "peace in our walls, and
prosperity in our palaces."
N. L.
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