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To The Editor Of The Occident.
New York, Shebat, 5607.
Dear Sir,
It will no doubt be gratifying to you to learn, as it
is to the numerous friends of the Rev. S. M. Isaacs, that at a full
meeting of the congregation Shaaray Tefila, held on Sunday afternoon
last, it was unanimously resolved to increase his salary $400 per year,
making it $1,600 per annum.
However pleasing in a pecuniary point, this is still
more gratifying from the fact that the intention was unknown to the
reverend gentleman himself; it being a spontaneous tribute of regard, and
of the estimation he is held by the congregation, and deservedly so, for
the many virtues of his heart, his worth and talents, which have endeared
him to every member of his flock.
Dr. Kohlmeyer.—It affords us much pleasure to
announce that the Israelites forming the congregation “Shanarai Chased,”
of this city, through the exertions of their President, L. A. Gunst, Esq.,
aided by a committee of gentlemen, consisting of Dr. D. S. Gans, Messrs.
Ed. Leon, Joseph Turk and J. Turner, at a numerous meeting held at the
Conti Street Hotel, on Sunday, the 17th January; 1847, did unanimously
elect the Rev. Dr. Kohlmeyer chief rabbi of the German Israelites of this
city.
One of the objects to be attained by this judicious
election is not alone the instruction of all classes of their persuasion
in the Hebrew language, but also to instil into them the pure principles
of their holy religion. The reverend gentleman comes highly recommended as
to moral character, and to high attainments as a perfect scholar in all
the Oriental languages.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to the worthy
President of the congregation, L. A. Gunst, for his untiring efforts to
secure the valuable services of the amiable and learned Dr. Kohlmeyer, to
officiate as Rabbi for this congregation. This is right: we rejoice to
believe that, from the above date, the descendants of the chosen people of
God in this state will unite as one man to build up their religion, which
is as ancient as the foundations of Sinai, and as pure as the oracles of
Heaven.—N. O. Courier.
Philadelphia. Hebrew School Fund Ball. On the
27th of January, a ball in aid of raising funds for the establishment of a
school in this city, took place at the Museum building, under the
management of Messrs. M. H. De Young, S. Gans, Moses Nathans, Isaac
Nathans, S. Isaacs, R. Benjamin, H. Pincus, S. M. Klosser, L. Schloss, M.
Moyer, David Van Beil, and H. Weiler. The management reflected much
credit, as all Hebrew balls hitherto have done in this place, upon the
directors, and we should be pleased to learn that the surplus has been
heavy, and will lead to the speedy establishment of a good school. But as
yet the managers have not favoured us with their promised report.
Sunday Laws At Richmond. By some oversight,
our correspondent omitted at the proper time to communicate to us the
result of the Resolutions of the Committee of the City Council, repealing
the ordinance enacted some time back, imposing additional fines for the
violation of the Sunday: (See
Occident, vol. iv., pp. 297-342.) We rather
were surprised that nothing should have been done. We now, however, learn
whilst making up this number, that as early as the 11th of November last,
the obnoxious ordinance was repealed. We ought to state, by the by, that
Mr. Mayo is not the late, but the actual district attorney for the
city of Richmond; consequently the part he took in the premises becomes of
the more importance. We subjoin the report:
“On motion of Mr. Mayo, the report of the committee
to whom was referred the ordinance for the more effectual suppression of
Sabbath breaking, which was laid on the table 13th July last, was taken
up. And the first resolution of the committee was adopted, viz:
“Resolved, That it is expedient to repeal the
ordinance entitled ‘An ordinance for the more effectual suppression of
Sabbath breaking.’
“The other resolutions are as follows:
“Resolved, That it is expedient to increase
the city day Police to the number of —— for each Ward, whose duties shall
be performed on Sundays only; unless by order of the Mayor their services
shall be required on any other day of rest or holiday.
“Resolved, That the High Constable of the city
be requested to permit the Night Watch of the city, as well as the day
Police officers who may hereafter be appointed, to qualify as his
deputies, to aid in the execution of the penal laws of the Commonwealth.
“On motion of Mr. Mayo, the remaining resolutions
were re-committed to the same committee, with leave to report by ordinance
or otherwise.”
Rabbi Jechiel Cohen, of Hebron.—We take this
method of informing our readers that we have at present among us a
messenger from Hebron in Palestine, sent out to this country and Europe,
for the purpose of collecting funds to relieve the distressed Israelites
at the place of the sepulchre of the fathers and mothers of Israel.
Exposed as they have been to rapine and maltreatment of the contending
factions of Mussulmen, added to which is the extreme scarcity of all sorts
of provisions; they appeal to their brothers abroad for aid. We can assure
our friends that there is no fiction in the sufferings of the Jews in
Judea; it is but too real; and had not our bad state of health prevented
us, we would have furnished many data thereof, which have come to our
hands, long before this. Several benevolent Israelites in Boston, (where
Rabbi Jechiel first arrived from Smyrna), Albany, New York, and
Philadelphia have already contributed to the relief of his townsmen; and
we hope that he may meet with equal and even more success in his progress
southward and westward. We ought surely not forget the remnant of Israel
who linger still upon our ancient soil; and in our prosperity we ought to
cast a look of benevolence on those who are strangers and outcasts on the
very spot which formerly witnessed our triumphs in arms, science, and
civilization. It is a sad retrospect; yet it affords a sweet melancholy to
the reflecting believer; and hence, let the appeal, which comes to us from
so far over the sea, not reach our ears in vain; and let us remember the
pleasant fields of Palestine, and the graves of our fathers, in the relief
which we bestow upon those who are severely afflicted amidst the ruins of
our ancient glory.
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