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Communicated by A. Abraham
If ever there was an occasion in our life in which
we felt ourself proud at being an Israelite, if ever there was a time in
which we felt ourself, though but an atom in creation, yet still an
instrument in God’s hands, or if ever the glory of being one of His
chosen was made manifest in the sight of the Gentiles: it was when, on
Friday the 11th day of Tamuz, 5607, we found ourself one of the happy
few chosen to do our mite towards the celebration of the consecration of
the new house of prayer, dedicated on that day to the worship of
Israel’s God. That day, a happy day for those who participated in its
glorious festivities, will long be remembered by all, and fraught as it
must be with blessings to the rising generation, it will be an era to
which those of the present and the future may look to as the dawn of a
better state of existence for the American Jew.
Fearless of encountering difficulties, at which the
strongest minds might have trembled, a handful of men, good and true,
nerved in the strong faith which has shed such hallowed glory on the
memories of their fathers, have in the empire city of the West, raised a
temple to God, which in beauty of architectural design, and in general
finish, can bear favourable comparison with any similar edifice in
Europe, and can safely bid defiance to any on this continent. Conversant
as we have been with all the Synagogues of any note in England, we must
say that (the great Synagogue of London excepted) we know not of any
that to our mind excels it, in what we consider the essentials of such a
building. To the architects, Messrs. Blesch and Eidlitz, much praise is
due for having erected the edifice as it now stands; but to those
gentlemen of the building committee, whose every energy has been taxed
in superintending the same in its progress, and who have sacrificed for
it every consideration of time and means, too much credit can never be
given. To particularize where all are meritorious, may appear partial
and unnecessary; yet we cannot help naming Louis Levy, Esq., president
of the congregation, and Arthur L. Levy, Esq., as especially deserving
the thanks of the members for their unwearied endeavours towards the
completion of the Synagogue. Those who have not had an opportunity of
seeing it as we have, can have no conception of the harassing trouble,
continued perseveringly and unhesitatingly through a long period of
difficulty and annoyance, which these two worthy gentlemen have
undergone, and unthankful as is the office at any time of serving a
public body, where the best intentions are frequently misconstrued: yet
in this instance, if even the thanks of the congregation were wanting,
the self-satisfaction they must feel at seeing the good work in which
they have so largely participated brought to so glorious a conclusion,
must amply repay them for the past. The cornerstone of the building was
laid on Tuesday, the 13th day of Tamuz, 5606, a description of which
will be found on referring to the 41st number of The Occident, and the
consecration took place on Friday, the 11th day of Tamuz, 5607, pest
twelve months after the commencement of the building. The cost of the
whole has been about thirty thousand dollars, and it is a fact worthy of
being recorded, that the whole of this amount has been raised by gift
and loans from our congregation. The exciting interest felt by the
community at large as the time for the consecration drew nigh, was
almost unprecedented; and it speaks much in favour of the condition of
the Jews in New York, that from Christians of the most exalted standing
in the city, both among the clergy and the laity, the applications for
tickets to view this most interesting ceremony were innumerable and
unceasing. Sums of money were offered, (in many instances without limit)
for an admission. As it was, the number of Christian gentlemen and
ladies who were present was very considerable; and had it not have been
for a, to us, unfortunate and unforeseen contretemps in the visit of the
President of the United States to New York on that day, the number would
have been much greater. The appearance of the Synagogue on the occasion
was truly grand: the massy pillars supporting the groined oak ceiling,
unsurpassed in this city, the wide-spreading arches, between which were
seen the galleries, filled with God’s best gift to man, the real
ornaments of creation, the mothers, daughters, and sisters of Judah, the
splendid appearance of the ark, the doors of which of carved oak were
covered with a most superb curtain, the gift of John M. Davies, Esq. and
lady, the unique and truly elegant receptacle for the perpetual light,
one of the most beautiful things in the whole Synagogue, and evincing
the good taste of the donor, Arthur L. Levy, Esq., the elaborately
carved oak pulpit and reading desk, and, in fact, the tout ensemble of
the building presented a coup d’oeil on which the eye rested with
gratification, and the mind reflected on with a fervent gratitude to the
Giver of all good, that we had been permitted to partake of so truly
blessed a consummation. Among the most pleasing features of the day must
not be forgotten the choir and orchestra, situated immediately under the
superb stained glass window which embellishes the west end of the
Synagogue. A temporary gallery was erected there, in which were placed a
choir of ladies and gentlemen, numbering about forty voices, and an
orchestra, composed of the elite of the New York Philharmonic band,
numbering thirty performers, the whole under the able direction of E.
Woolf, Esq., who discharged the duties devolving on him in a most
praiseworthy and efficient manner. The entire of the music for the
occasion was composed by him, and a more pleasing composition has seldom
been listened to.
We shall marvel much if Mr. Woolf does not gain
much well-deserved reputation from it. The appearance of the orchestra
just previous to the commencement of the service, was exceedingly
pleasing. The ladies, among whom was seen Mademoiselle Rachel
Lichtenstein, were all dressed uniformly for the occasion in white, and
made a very charming sight. The gentlemen of the orchestra, both vocal
and instrumental, also added to the general goodliness of the scene. The
service commenced at three o’clock precisely, with an overture by the
band, a composition of exceeding beauty, in which were introduced
several popular Hebrew melodies, harmonized and arranged with much
skill, and played as the Philharmonic band should play it. Immediately
after, the opening chorus by the choir שאו
זמרה קול ששון “Raise aloud the Psalm,” was sung, followed by a
flourish of trumpets. The minister of the congregation, the Rev. S. M.
Isaacs, with the ministers of the Portuguese congregations of New York,
Philadelphia, and Richmond, the Rev. Mr. Merzbach, of New York, the
trustees, and several other gentlemen, bearing in their arms the
Sepharim, or sacred books of the law, then approached the door of the
Synagogue, under a canopy, and the Hazan knocking at the door, called
out with a loud voice פתחו לנו צדק ושערי תפילה
נבא בם נודה לה'
“Open unto us the gates of righteousness, the
Gates of Prayer, that we may enter through them and offer our grateful
homage to God;” to which the ministers of the three German congregations
of New York, who were stationed inside of the Synagogue, replied,
זה השער לה' צדיקים יבאו בו &c., “This
is the gate to the Lord, the righteous enter therein,” &c. The gentleman
appointed for that purpose, John I. Hart, Esq., then unlocked the door,
and the bearers of the law entered chaunting
מה טובו “How goodly are thy tents, oh Jacob,” &c. The procession
then moved slowly towards the ark, during which a most beautiful trio
was sung by Mademoiselle Rachel, Mrs. Lawrence Myers, and Mrs. R. Lyons,
to that part of the 118th Psalm אודך “I
thank thee, for thou hast answered me,” and by the time the gentlemen
arrived at the ark, the trio finished, and the whole choir suddenly
burst into the sublime chorus ברוך הבא “Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.” This had a most
thrilling effect, and was evidently felt by the assembled multitude.
When the bearers of the law approached the holy ark, and the chorus had
finished, the priest appointed for the service, B. A. Cohen, Esq., lit
the perpetual light from the one that had been burning in the former
place of worship; the Hazan then standing on the steps of the ark,
chaunted with a loud voice ויהי בנסע הארון ,
the congregation making the usual responses, after which the blessing of
שהחינו was said, and then followed the
most impressive and heart-stirring part of the service, the glorious
declaration of our faith, the שמע ישראל ,
given in a most feeling manner by the Rev. S. M. Isaacs, accompanied by
the choir. We cannot help thinking that that moment was felt by all who
were present as the most solemn part of the ceremony, and when we
express our own feelings at that time, we think we speak that of our
brethren. ‘Twas at that solemn time that the declaration of Our God is
one God, swelled on high from voice and heart, a declaration, now spread
over the whole face of the habitable globe, proclaiming to all faiths,
all creeds, all sects. and all denominations, that, however they may
blind themselves with a mistaken zeal, however they may arrogate to
themselves the power of absolution, however, with a fervour worthy of a
better cause, they may gloss over the palpable errors of their belief:
yet to us and us alone belongs the law as given by God on Sinai, and it
is we, the chosen of the Almighty, who, while we await with meekness the
time for our redemption, are alone permitted to say, “Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God is alone the Lord.” The glorious heritage of our
forefathers has descended to us, unbroken and unshaken; and after
having, for so many centuries, combatted successfully the storms of
adversity and the persecutions of the ungodly, we boldly challenge the
world to show a parallel of a people worshipping in the comparative
wilds of America in the same forms and in the same language as spoken by
the Supreme to his chosen servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a
consciousness of all this, that gave an evident sublimity to that part
of the service, tacitly acknowledged by all who were present. After the
שמע
ישראל the Sepharim were carried seven times round the Synagogue,
during which a psalm was chaunted by one of the ministers, or sang by
the choir as follows: to the first circuit, led by Rev. S. M. Isaacs,
the choir sang the 30th Psalm; to the second circuit, led by Rev. J. J.
Lyons (minister of the Portuguese congregation, New York) that gentleman
chaunted in a very impressive manner the 84th Psalm; to the third
circuit, led by Rev. E. Lyons (of Richmond) that gentleman chauntcd the
24th Psalm; to the fourth circuit, led by Rev. J. Hecht (minister of the
Henry Street congregation, New York), that gentleman chaunted the 1324
Psalm ; to the fifth circuit, led by Rev. S. Heilner (minister to the
Attorney Street congregation, New York), that gentleman chaunted the 5th
Psalm; to the sixth circuit, led by Rev. M. Dantziger (minister to the
Shaar Hashamayim congregation), that gentleman chaunted the 122d Psalm;
and to the seventh circuit, led again by S. M. Isaacs, the choir sang
the 100th Psalm. The Sepharim were then deposited in the ark, and the
whole assembly being seated, the minister ascended for the first time
the new pulpit that had been placed in the Synagogue for his use, and
there delivered one of those impressive discourses that have gained him
so enviable a notoriety among his brethren. It would be impossible to
give an analysis of the reverend gentleman’s discourse, as without the
test before us, we fear we should only mar what we would attempt to
exalt; we dare say, the gentleman himself will give the editor of The
Occident an opportunity of laying it in an unmutilated state before his
readers; this, however, we may say, that he spoke with his usual
eloquence and feeling for nearly three quarters of an hour, and
concluded his discourse with an appeal to the purses of the auditory;
and a better proof could not be adduced of the effects of his discourse,
than that so well was it responded to, that at a collection taken up
immediately after his address, no less a sum than three thousand dollars
was offered. This large amount of money, collected at a time when so
many calls have lately been made on our sympathies, speaks volumes of
the favour in which this congregation is held by our brethren. Amongst
our own congregation, sums varying in amount from one hundred to five
dollars were freely given, and that, in most instances, in addition to
very liberal offerings made at previous times. The liberality extended
to us by our brethren of either congregations must also be acknowledged;
and though unauthorized to say thus much, yet we know we speak the
sentiments of all our members, when we say that their generosity is
fully appreciated. To those gentlemen of the Christian faith, who have
shown their friendly feelings towards us by donations (in some cases to
a large amount), we also have to make our acknowledgments, feeling
assured that the impulse that prompted them to give their assistance in
so good a cause, will meet with an adequate response, should our mite be
at any time needed.
While speaking on the subject of donations, it may
not be out of place to record two or three gifts to the Synagogue (in
addition to those already mentioned), valuable in their intrinsic worth,
but receiving an additional value in the eyes of the recipients, as
evincing a generous consideration for the Synagogue in the donors. To
Mrs. Joseph we are indebted for a most superb filigree-worked silver
Yad, the hand set with diamonds, altogether one of the handsomest things
of the kind we have ever seen. To Angel H. Jacobs, Esq., are we indebted
for a gift of a similar nature, which, though not so heavy as the other
one, still evinces much taste in the manufacturer, and equal good taste
in the donor; it is also set with diamonds. To Samuel Phillips, Esq., we
are beholden for a massive silver Kiddush cup, a most appropriate gift,
and one received with much satisfaction.
The donations having been disposed of, the prayer
for the government was said, and a blessing invoked in behalf of the
congregation, and those who had assisted in erecting the Synagogue. The
Hazan then chaunted a Hebrew poem, written for the occasion by M.
Content, Esq., an exceedingly clever composition, being an acrostic on
the name of the congregation, intersected with one on his own name and
that of his brother. We think the poem well worthy of being published.
After that the 29th Psalm was sang by the choir in a most spirited and
effective style, followed by the Hallelujah chorus, a composition of
much beauty, and most excellently given. Henry Morrison, Esq., then
ascended the pulpit, and delivered a closing address. We regret that the
low tones of the speaker and the distance we were from him prevented us
from hearing him as well as we could have wished, the more so, as the
parts we did hear gave evidence of much talent in the speaker, and much
good sense and judgment in the matter spoken. The service then concluded
with the choir singing אדון עולם .
Thus finished one of the most interesting
ceremonies that have ever taken place on this continent, and one which
has reflected much credit on all who have assisted at it. To the
trustees of the congregation, Messrs. L. Levy, I. N. Samuel, J. D.
Phillips, and B. Joseph, much praise is due for the able manner in which
everything for the service was arranged. To the different gentlemen who
were on the several committees of reception and arrangement, to the
ladies and gentlemen composing the choir, to the conductor of the music,
to the worthy secretary, Mr. A. S. Solomons (who by-the-bye, was
indefatigable in his exertions to see every body pleased), and in fact
to each and every one of the persons who lent their aid on the occasion,
thanks are due, for having by a judicious combination of individual
exertion, produced an ensemble which gave universal satisfaction.
We did purpose giving a few closing remarks on
matters connected with this as well as other congregations; but fearing
we have already made this article too long, we shall defer it to a
future number, and for the present we shall conclude with a hope that,
as we shall by our acts and deeds deserve it, so shall the blessing of
the Almighty God descend on our Gates of Prayer, until we shall become
the model for our friends, the envy of our enemies, and the admiration
of all.
In connexion with the interesting affair just
described, the Synagogue was, on the day succeeding the consecration,
filled with a numerous congregation, drawn there, in part, to hear a
discourse about to be delivered by the Rev. I. Leeser of Philadelphia.
The reverend gentleman had been solicited to do this by the trustees of
congregation Shaaray Tefilla, and well and ably did he answer the call.
It is long since we have listened to a more pleasing lecture, or one
which gave evidence in its every sentence of better taste and judgment.
It was listened to with much attention by his hearers, and from our own
personal observation, coincided in by the opinion of all whom we have
heard speak on the subject, it gave universal satisfaction. |
