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Philadelphia.—The eleventh annual examination of the
Hebrew Sunday School of Philadelphia took place on the Sunday after Purim,
the 11th of March. The attendance of scholars was quite large, and the
answers were given with more precision than the last year, creditable as
the scholars then acquitted themselves. It is indeed gratifying that we
have this institution among us to scatter the seeds of religious
knowledge, in the absence of regular seminaries, of learning superintended
by our own people, though now we see some hope of yet beholding such
springing up before the lapse of many years. The exercises on the above
occasion were of the usual order, wherefore it is not necessary to dwell
upon them. A collection was also taken up, and resulted in obtaining about
the usual average of late years, which will amply pay the expenses of the
establishment, where all is conducted with the most admirable economy. The
superintendent must certainly be highly gratified that her example in
commencing this school has excited elsewhere the emulation of doing so
likewise, especially as the results have so generally been proved to be
productive of much good.
<<57>>
The Synagogue Beth Israel of
Philadelphia.—Before this number can reach our subscribers, the new
Synagogue Beth Israel will have been consecrated to the service of God, as
we learn by a circular letter sent out by the committee of arrangement;
that the 29th of March is fixed as the day for the dedication. We probably
may give in a later number some of the particulars of the attending
ceremonies, which, however, have lost now the interest of novelty, as the
occasions for which they are required are now of frequent occurrence in
this country. May it continue to be so to a yet greater extent.
Louisville, Ky.—The new Synagogue, “Adas Israel,” of
Louisville, was to be consecrated on the 30th of March. Probably we shall
be informed of the most interesting particulars, by the time our next
number is issued.
New York.—During a sojourn of a couple of days in New
York, we were present on the evening of March 20th at a concert given in
aid of the funds of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of New York, at the
Broadway Tabernacle, and we witnessed a numerous assembly to do honour to
the occasion. Of course, the Christian attendance was, to judge from the
physiognomy of the faces, much more numerous than that of the Jews, among
the latter of whom we recognised at a great distance the President of the
Society, M. M. Noah, Esq. The Committee of Arrangement were very active,
and we should judge that they did well in the discharge of their duties.
The pieces performed were generally well given, both by the vocal as well
as the instrumental performers of the Italian Opera Company now in New
York, and other artists, though we could not accord a great deal of merit
to several of the male singers; but we are too unpractised in these
matters to give a decided judgment, besides it is quite foreign to the
tendency of our magazine to write criticisms on public performances. But
one thing we regretted, that as the entertainment was for a Jewish
charity, something was not done to give it a little of a Jewish character,
which the Casta Diva, beautifully as it was executed, and the rondo by
Ricci, romanzas by Verdi and Donizetti, and duets by the same and Rossini,
were decidedly not. Still, perhaps, it was impossible to do according to
our ideas of propriety, and the result of an addition to the funds of the
charity of several hundred dollars well sanctifies the employment of
secular music for the present occasion, just as balls are approved of even
by the religious heads of our people, when employed to scatter the fruits
of charity among the poor. We presume that the net proceeds may have bred
about six hundred dollars, though we have no official information. The
amount received, however large it may be, <<58>>will all be needed in the
relief of the distressed Israelites now, or soon expected, at New York,
whither the poor of Europe are flocking in large masses, and it is but too
likely that the emigration from the overpopulated districts of Germany
will continue, and this in an increased ratio through the coming summer.
We even learn from a late number of the Orient, that emigration unions are
formed in Bohemia, which of course will bring many persons over who
otherwise might not find the means of leaving their native land. No doubt
many persons with sufficient property to aid themselves will also come;
but the majority, we fear, will be the poor, or those who find Europe no
longer a field to furnish a sufficient support for themselves and
families.—Whilst we were in the Synagogue Shearith Israel, we were shown a
clock just presented by Mr. Benjamin S. Hart; we also saw there a silver
perpetual lamp, given some months since by several ladies,—we would
mention their names, but we have not learnt them officially, wherefore we
must be excused from enumerating even those we have heard. In connexion
with this circumstance, we will merely state, that glad as we are to
record all congregational occurrences, we find it exceedingly difficult to
get authentic information of what takes place in New York. No doubt all
think us well informed of what is known to them; but we would respectfully
remind them that, if they desire us to notice matters of interest to them,
it is requisite for them to inform us officially, when it shall be our
fault if they are not brought properly to the notice of the public.
Presentation of a Massive Silver Salver to the Rev.
S. M. Isaacs.—A correspondent who chanced to be present when a committee
of ladies effected the presentation, sends us the following account: In
consideration of the valuable services rendered to the Ladies’ Benevolent
Society by the Rev. Mr. Isaacs in his capacity as honorary secretary, the
members unanimously resolved to subscribe for a piece of plate as a
memento of their feeling towards him. It is a large and truly chaste
salver, engraved with the following inscription: “Presented to the Rev. S.
M. Isaacs, by the members of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society, as an
acknowledgment of their grateful appreciation of his valuable services as
their honorary secretary.”
Cincinnati.—The ball of the Ladies’ Hebrew Benevolent
Society took place on the evening of the 8th of March at the Masonic Hall.
Much praise is due to the managers for the great zeal manifested, and for
the excellent manner in which the affair was conducted under their
supervision. About two hundred couples joined in the festivities of the
<<59>>evening; and doubtless when the object of the society is considered,
few who were then present will ever miss a future celebration. Great
credit is due to the ladies, members of this excellent society, for their
able management of its affairs, which are in a most flourishing condition.
Evidence of the Increase of the Jewish Population in
the West.—When the congregation at Cincinnati was first established, they
baked about one hundred pounds of Passover cakes; this year it takes them
six weeks to prepare the quantity required, by machinery, and fears are
entertained that that time is not sufficient, as over twenty thousand
pounds will hardly satisfy the demand already made.
Mobile.—The congregation of Mobile is, as we learn,
in a flourishing condition, and every year a better disposition is shown
to support the faith of our fathers; and continually there is evidence
that the exertions for sustaining our religion in that part of the country
meet with success beyond the most sanguine hopes; and a confidence is
expressed that in a few years the Jews of Mobile will stand out as an
example to those of other cities of the Union in a due regard to the
duties required of them. Such a rivalry in doing good we should be pleased
to see, and we trust that this contagion may spread far and wide till it
embraces all Israelites.—The officers of the congregation which bears the
name of Shaar Hashamayim lately elected, are:—Israel I. Jones, President;
Col. D. Salomon, Vice-President; J. Forchheimer, Treasurer; Joseph
Morrison, Secretary; and B. L. Timm, H. Salomon Jr., D. Markstein, J.
Goldsmith, and A. Goldsticker, Trustees.
Charleston.—We learn that several of the congregation
Shearith Israel, of Charleston, are in favour of the proposed convention,
though they have not as yet elected their delegates; we hope, however,
that this will be done before our next number appears.
Montreal.—Mr. Samuel Benjamin has been elected city
councillor for one of the principal wards of Montreal, which is, as we
learn, the first time that a Jew has been thus honoured in Canada; and our
correspondent expresses his conviction that Mr. B. will do credit to the
post by his sterling integrity and sound judgment.
Constantinople.—We are always pleased to make public
any evidences of real progress which may come to our knowledge; it is,
therefore, with uncommon satisfaction, that we give publicity to the
following from the last number of the Archives Israelites received by us,
extracted from the letter of Dr. J. De Castro, principal physician of the
military hospital of Haidar-Pacha, belonging to the Imperial Guards, dated
Con<<60>>stantinople, Oct. 10th, 1848. “The Examination of the scholars of
the school of Galata-Serail took place before the feast of Bairam, in
presence of his imperial majesty the Sultan, and all the high dignitaries
of the empire. It was, indeed, a truly touching sight to behold, for the
first time since the foundation of the school, several young Israelites
submitting the first proof of their studies. It was sufficiently
satisfactory; although their admission to the school only took place a
year ago; and the progress which they have made in this short period,
gives us authority to expect that in the coming year they will not be the
last among their associates. The school of Galata-Serail has already been
in existence these nine years past. It was founded by the glorious Sultan
Mahmoud. Up to the present time all communions were admitted there except
the Israelites. This exclusion may appear strange under a sovereign who is
the friend of liglit, and permits no difference among his subjects. But it
must be said, that it depended not on his system, and that this exception
was owing to a deception on his honesty. People endeavoured to persuade
him that it was repugnant to Jews to send their children to the same
school in which were found assembled Mussulmans and Christians. The real
cause of this intrigue took its rise in the inveterate hatred against the
Jews entertained by a person formerly very influential, whose name you
will allow me to keep concealed. When his Excellency Ismael-Effendi was
appointed chief physician of the empire, things took another complexion,
and a new era arose for our co-religionists. H. E. Ismael-Effendi, moved
by a sentiment of justice, which is never inconsistent with itself,
desired to make reparation for the wrong done to the Israelites. He
admitted at once fifty young Israelites to Galata-Serail, at the same time
taking all the necessary measures in regard to the demands of their
religion in the minutest detail. Otherwise these measures have no
influence on the regularity of their studies, and in the classes the
Israelites are mixed up with the other scholars; they enjoy the same
rights with the latter, and are the objects of the same care.” The writer
farther speaks of the spirit of toleration, the wisdom and agreeable
manners of Ismael Effendi, to which he unites a probity and philanthropy
which cause him to be beloved by all; and avers that as Jews all over the
world have a fellow-feeling, this enlightened gentleman is entitled to the
thanks of all Israelites; and not those of Turkey alone, for the intention
he has displayed of rescuing our brothers in the Levant from that state
of abjection and ignorance in which the fanatics of all nations, not
excepting those of our own, would gladly retain them. He concludes with
the assertions that barbarous Turkey may serve as an example to
enlightened Europe. |
