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Changes in Ministers.—There
have been at the late autumnal elections many
changes in the ministers through the country. The
Rev. B. Gotthelf, late of the congregation Kenesseth
Israel of Philadelphia, has been elected at
Louisville, Kentucky, for one year, as Hazan,
teacher and lecturer, with the handsome salary of
$1200 per annum, from which sum, however, he is to
pay himself an. assistant teacher; he has, at the
same time, a promise that an addition will be made
to his income in case he gives satisfaction. His
place in Philadelphia has been supplied by the Rev.
Mr. Sternheimer, who lately arrived here from
Germany. The Rev. J. K. Gutheim, having some time
since signified his intention of withdrawing from
the Congregation Bnai Jeshurun, of Cincinnati, the
Rev. H. A. Henry, late of London, has chosen in his
place. It is with real regret that we have learned
Mr. Gutheim’s determination of withdrawing from the
ministry, and devoting himself to another pursuit.
He has, as our readers also know, the elements of a
good speaker; he has zeal for the cause of Israel,
and in brief, such qualities, that his place will
not be easily supplied, especially as we have so few
who can deliver English sermons, without which
qualification, we think no minister should any more
be elected, <<425>>if the congregations mean at all
to uphold the dignity of religion, and assume a
position equal to the Christian communities through
the land. We hope, therefore, that Mr. G.’s
retirement from the service of the Synagogue, may
not be a final one. Mr. Henry, at the same time,
comes with a high reputation, and we trust that he
will prove a useful guide to his new flock. As our
correspondent W. has already stated in an
article on
Albany, Mr. Isidore Kalish has been elected for
Cleveland, Ohio. We look on him as a useful
accession to our ministry, and he cannot fail of
being serviceable, if he at all comes up to the
standard of excellence which our learned
correspondent gives of him. Mr. B. M. Emanuel acts
as Hazan and Shochet for the Mobile congregation,
pro tem. We have not yet heard whether the vacancies
in Baltimore, Buffalo, and Boston, have been
filled. Both the congregations in New Orleans are
yet without ministers; but we hope that these two
important bodies may not be long without proper
persons to perform for them the duties or religion,
and that it such are obtained, they may be so
treated by their constituents that they will have no
occasion to desire a withdrawal from their position.
Cincinnati.—At the regular annual election of
the Congregation Bnai Israel of Cincinnati, the
following gentlemen were elected as the officers for
the current year: David Mayer, Parnass; Daniel
Ullman, Gabah Zedokah; Samuel Bruel, Gabah Beth Haim;
J. Seasongood, Treasurer, and Joseph Abraham,
Secretary. The Society for the Relief of the Jews in
Palestine, is now fully organized, and numbers about
one hundred members; the officers are: J. K. Gutheim,
President Nathan Maltzer, and Abraham Aub,
Vice-Presidents; Hyman Moses, Treasurer, and Joseph
Jonas, Secretary. The above officers form the
executive board for the collection of the dues, and
for transmitting the funds to be distributed among
the poor Jews in Palestine indiscriminately,
and without the deduction of any commission,
save ordinary rates of exchange. The Ladies’ Hebrew
Benevolent Society have elected for the ensuing year
as Directress, Mrs. Henrietta Wolf; Treasurer, Mrs.
Louisa Symmonds, and Secretary, Mrs. Bathsheba
Harris.
New York.—We learn that the influx of
strangers has been lately so great, that during the
holydays, one Synagogue especially, the Shaar
Hashamayim, the people that came could not be
admitted, and had fairly to stand in the entry to
hear the minister, so as to be able to join in the
service. It is natural to expect a constant, and
perhaps increasing, stream of immigration; and we
again impress upon the various men of influence the
absolute necessity of forming some sort of union
<<426>>through which the scattered elements of
greatness may be brought to cooperate for one
general good end, and that not each little knot of
Jews may be like some fragment of a mighty wreck
floating without plan or object upon the surface of
the deep. The thing is not of such difficult
attainment as some may fancy, and all that is
needed, is that each congregation will give its
assent, in the first instance, for a meeting to
assemble, and then compare their various views, and
afterwards carry them out honestly and with a good
will. Success, under such circumstances, is certain;
and the cause of religion will flourish, and we
shall not have to mourn over scenes of disunion
which now are occasionally witnessed.
Boston.—We were not aware, until a few days
ago, that a Polish congregation under the name of
Beth Israel, had been organized in Boston. They
consecrated a hall, situated over the Boylston
Market, on Friday before Rosh Hashanah, the 14th of
September, with the usual ceremonies. The minister’s
name is P. Rosendale, a Pole, who was sent thither
from New York, about a week previously, and had been
but a month in the country, and is reputed to be a
gentleman of profound scriptural and scientific
knowledge. He is represented as dressing quite in
the old Polish style, and as about fifty years of
age. His address, in Hebrew, is said to have lasted
nearly two hours. He was followed by a Mr. L. Makis, whose name is strange to us; and when he had
ended, Mr. J. W. Ezekiel, the President, and
formerly a resident of Philadelphia, made some
remarks in English, which, to judge from the
newspapers sent us, must have made a favourable
impression. The congregation, only lately organized,
already numbers more than a hundred members, and
much credit is given to Mr. Ezekiel for his
efficiency in producing this result. We hope to hear
more good news from this body, and wish them
success.
Jamaica.—On Thursday, September 13th, the
Rev. Solomon Jacobs delivered by appointment, a
sermon at the Portuguese Synagogue, in Kingston, in
aid of the mission of Rabbi Jechiel Cohen, to
collect funds for the rebuilding of the Synagogue
Beth-El at Jerusalem. The attendance was not large;
but those who were present, are represented as
giving freely for the furtherance of the object
proposed. The paper, from which we copy, adds in
conclusion, “We must, however, remark, that we
noticed very few of our Christian brethren there,
and we must remind them, that the Jews of this
community have always evinced great liberality in
contributing to the erection of Christian places of
worship when called upon.” It shows well for our
people when the public <<427>>press can address such
a rebuke to its readers, and proves that the
liberality of Israelites is not confined to their
society alone.
Palestine.—We learn that Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore have returned home from their journey to
Palestine a few weeks ago, and that they have spent
in deeds of benevolence, about 5000 pounds
sterling. We copy from the European Times the
subjoined as a proof what can be done with real
goodness of heart, when those whom God has blessed
with the means, are willing to devote a portion
thereof to the improvement and advancement of human
happiness; and we hope that some who will see this
may be incited to go and do likewise, to the extent
their means and opportunities will enable them to
act. “Sir Moses Montefiore has founded at Damascus a
large hospital, and two primary schools, for
indigent Jews, among whom he has also distributed
160,000 Turkish piastres (about 40,000 francs.) The
Jews of Damascus, in order to testify their
gratitude Sir Moses Montefiore for these acts of
benevolence, have bestowed on him the title of Nassi
(Prince) of the Israelites of Damascus.”
Europe.—The news relating to our people from
abroad, is not worth copying into our magazine, the
most being only of a strictly local character,
without any interest to persons abroad. But in the
midst of the troubles which have lately fallen us in
the terrible war in Hungary, where both parties
plundered and murdered the Jews, it is something to
be grateful for that, as it is said, the Emperor of
Austria has remitted the war fines levied on the
Jews by his general, Haynau.
Paris.—The collection taken up by the Grand
Rabbins of Paris, (Messrs. Ennery and Isidore) in
behalf of the sufferers by the cholera, has
produced about 7000 francs, the Rothschild family
having contributed towards this 2500 francs. A
portion of this sum has been employed for the relief
of the indigent sick, and the other is destined to
be annually distributed among the orphans. The
result, obtained through the exertion of the
venerable pastors, affords another proof that the
most mournful circumstances which are sent to
afflict mankind cannot alter, in the hearts of
Israelites, the inexhaustible charity which is the
most precious stone in their immortal crown.—L’Univers
Israelite.
Reconversion to Judaism of a Distinguished Poet.—We
have known already for a long time that Henry Heine,
the well-known baptized Israelite, who was so
celebrated for his wit and unbelief, has again
become a Jew, whilst confined to his bed of
sickness, and that he only awaits the recovery of
his strength to give a public testimony of his
return to the Synagogue. But in private affairs, as
also in matters of public concern, we have never, in
the ten years of the existence of the
<<428>>Archives,
made an improper use of a conversation, by divulging
it in our Magazine; but in the present instance our
reserve would be useless, because the Jewish
Gazette of the 21st of May, devotes an entire
article to the subject. It is thus that a man who
once said, “Judaism is no religion, but a
misfortune,” finds at the present moment his
happiness in Judaism. No sincere Israelite will be
astonished at this hopeful conversion, brought about
by misfortune and reflection.—Archives Israelites
for July.
We
wish to add a few words. Heinrich Heine has long
enjoyed the reputation of one of the most remarkable
men of the age. He has travelled extensively
through Europe, and has furnished works both in
prose and poetry, which have elicited the admiration
of the critics; and as it is now, we regret that the
little accession we have to Geman literature, has
prevented us from becoming familiar with them. But
this is nothing to the matter. Now it was this man,
whom the editor of the Archives calls “si spirituel et si incredule,” so witty and so
sceptical; who was induced either by some freak or
by the absolute certainty that as a Jew he could not
rise politically and hardly socially, to embrace
Christianity for form’s sake; though we believe that
even as an ostensible convert he was anything but a
faithful adherent to the doctrines which he had
adopted, and ridiculed them, if we understand
correctly, in his various works. But now a change,
as remarkable as gratifying, has come over him; he
no longer doubts, he no more disbelieves, but wishes
to live in that holy faith which he once renounced
with false lips, which he scorned in the moment of
his folly. Well may he bless that sickness which
recalled him to himself, and kiss the rod which
chastened and corrected him; and if he is yet alive,
he no doubt has fulfilled the vow which he made in
the hour of distress, for Heine is not the man to
shrink from a duty when he once understands his
position. One suggestion, however, we must add to
the above before we close, and this is respectfully
to submit to the conversionists and their victims
the absolute folly of making outward converts, or
even sincere ones, if you please, of intelligent
Jews. Our religion is something so entirely in
concert with our nature, that its eradication
becomes absolutely impossible; do with the Jew what
you please, make him neglect his Sabbath, feed him
on the “flesh of the swine, of the creeping thing,
and the mouse;” wash him in the waters of baptism;
marry him a hundred times to the gentile; bring up
his children as ministers of another religion;
invest him with all the dignities of another creed;
make him a preacher and ruler among the enemies of
Israel: and you have nothing before you but a
hollow‑hearted hypocrite; he sighs in secret for his
Jewish hopes, for his early <<429>>joyous feelings,
for his people, for his God; and when he dies, he
will surely discard, in his last moments, all the
false doctrines which he has been made to avow. We
are willing, perfectly so, to let our assertion be
subjected to the test of experience; and assuming
it, then, as proved, we must ask the persons just
spoken of, “What use is there to make people
miserable in this life, and jeopardise their
happiness hereafter? Does Christianity require such
victims? Does its permanence need such sacrifices?”
We think not; and hence we again appeal to those who
well understand us, to forego their wicked attempts
at injuring the house of Israel, seeing that “it
cannot prosper,” the Lord of Hosts being with us. It
is, at the same time, a matter of rejoicing, that by
degrees apostacy is becoming unprofitable, as state
after state repeals its exceptional laws; since in
addition to most, if not all the states of Germany,
Denmark in its new constitution, whilst establishing
the Protestant as the religion of the state, does
not disqualify any of its citizens who profess
another faith; and we venture to say, that, remove
the political incentive which has led so many
hecatombs to the altars of a strange religion, and
you will see that no more will be beguiled, and what
is more, that the present religious indifference
will gradually yield to a more strict conformity.
Let us watch the result, and we do not fear a
disappointment.
Dr. M. J. Raphall.—We learned, as we were
preparing this number for the press, that the
well-known Dr. Raphall, until lately preacher for
the Birmingham congregation, and head master of the
Hebrew National School of that town, embarked on
the 8th of October at Liverpool for this country,
and that his arrival may be daily looked for. It is
not to be supposed that one who has contributed so
greatly to the honour of the Jewish name, could be
permitted to leave England without a hearty
demonstration of the public gratitude; and it must
be truly gratifying to this ardent Israelite, that
distant congregations, besides the one so long under
his charge, should deeply feel the loss the general
community suffers by the voluntary withdrawal of one
so highly endowed. We copy from the Jewish Chronicle
of September 21st, the following proceedings of the
Edinburgh congregation, for the satisfaction of our
readers.
Synagogue Chambers, Edinburgh,
4th September, 1849.
At
a meeting of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, in
vestry assembled, held this day, P. Levy, Esq.,
President, in the chair, it was unanimously
resolved,
That this congregation view the intended departure
of Dr. Raphall for <<430>>America, as a national
loss to the community of British Jews, and do hereby
record their regret accordingly.
That, mindful of the eminent services Dr. Raphall
has rendered the whole community of British Jews by
his public lectures and his eloquent speeches and
published letters in defence of our moral code,
doctrine, and discipline, when attacked by renegades
to our faith out of parliament and bigots within,
they are desirous of marking their sense of such
services by subscribing to a testimonial and purse
to be presented to the Doctor, and that a
subscription list be opened accordingly.
That the lectures, speeches, and published writings
of Dr. Raphall have eminently served the cause of
civil and religious liberty, and greatly tended to
emancipate Christians from ignorant prejudices
against their Jewish brethren, and to awaken in the
minds of the Christian public a sense of the unjust
civil disqualifications oppressing the Jewish
people, till Jewish political freedom has become a
principle enthusiastically contended for by our
Christian countrymen.
That the co-operation of the Jews’ and General
Literary and Scientific Institution, Sussex Hall,
London, be invited, and the amount subscribed at
this meeting be forwarded to M. S. Oppenheim, Esq.,
Secretary to the said Institution, to be handed over
to any committee formed in London for carrying out
the views embodied in the foregoing resolutions.
That a minute of these proceedings be forwarded to
the editor of the Jewish Chronicle for
publication, and the support of his powerful pen be
solicited in furthering the object contemplated by
this meeting.
(Signed) Philip Levy, Proses,
President of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation.
We
know not whether Dr. R. means to become a permanent
resident in America; but we bespeak for him in
advance, a hearty welcome from all American
congregations whithersoever he may bend his steps.
We no doubt shall have more to say concerning him
hereafter.
To the Editor of the Jewish Chronicle.
Berlin.—“Sir,—Convinced that communications
from here on the state of Judaism cannot fail to be
interesting to your readers, I take the first
opportunity, after the storm which has passed over
my head, to address a few lines to you for insertion
in your valuable journal. Were the Jewish
Chronicle a political journal, I might be
tempted to relate to you my adventures with the
police authorities of this town; but as such a
subject would be totally foreign to the purposes and
tendencies of your journal, I will at once turn to
things in general, and to Berlin Judaism in
particular. It may be gratifying to you to hear
that, while I have not yet had a sight of any of the
German Jewish periodicals, (not one of our literary
celebrities here encouraging them,) I have,
hitherto, through the kindness of Mr. A. Asher, been
able regularly to peruse your journal, which is
doubly interesting to me, as it
<<431>>keeps me
au fait with what is doing among our brethren in
England, and enables me to follow my learned friend,
Mr. Dukes, in his able and useful researches at
Oxford. The absence of a Jewish organ among our
brethren here may be the cause of the erroneous
notions which generally prevail as to the state of
Judaism in this city. It is true, the reforming
propensities of the age have here produced their
worst effects; and the meeting-house of the
Association for Reform bears no more analogy or
resemblance to a synagogue, than that of the
Quakers’ to a Catholic cathedral. The only Jewish
feature left in it is a scroll of the law and a few
Hebrew inscriptions. But even with these, the
members of that association cannot come under the
denomination of Jews, having overturned the main
features of Judaism, viz., circumcision and the holy
Sabbath. Formerly they used to meet both on Sabbath
and Sunday; now, however, only on Sunday. Service is
performed in the vernacular tongue, accompanied by
an organ and choir; five verses are read out of the
holy law, first in Hebrew and then in German, and
Dr. Hold then delivers a sermon. The ladies sit on
the right, and the gentlemen on the left row of
benches within the nave. The old synagogue, on the
other hand, forms a striking contrast to this
modernised temple. Here we have a genuine specimen
of a Synagogue of the good olden times. The building
itself wears the aspect of venerable antiquity; it
is very lofty, but not capacious enough to hold the
crowded congregation that assembles here in a spirit
of devotion scarcely surpassed by that of any of the
London Synagogues.
“There being a constant influx of strangers, several
inspectors are appointed, and stationed in different
parts of the Synagogue, in order to prevent
disturbance and to uphold decorum. The thrilling
voice of the חזן
(reader), assisted by an able and well-conducted
choir, greatly tends to enhance devotion, and to
elevate divine worship. But if the Synagogue is
always well attended on Sabbath, it is densely
thronged, even to suffocation, whenever the Rev. Dr.
Sachs preaches (which is once a fortnight.) You
would scarcely believe that you were in Berlin,
where modern notions and missionary labours and
oppressions have made such large inroads in our
camp, and snatched from our ranks many who would
have proved valiant fighters for our cause, and
‘broken forth upon’ our brethren. The young and the
old (in age and sentiments), listen alike
attentively to the eloquent strains of the
highly-gifted preacher, who advocates the cause of
orthodox Judaism, and preaches the word of God with
a fervour and in a language calculated to inspire
even the dullest and the most indifferent, and
effectually to counteract the effects of scepticism
and proselytism. By his eloquence he repels
<<432>>the encroachments and resists the tide of the
so-called modern enlightenment setting in on all
sides: and, in the words of the prophet, is ‘a
defended city, an iron pillar and brazen walls,
against the whole land; they may fight against him,
but they shall not prevail against him.’ Here, if
anywhere, the good effects of pulpit instruction
become manifest; and wherever the edifice of Judaism
is tottering, or is becoming dilapidated, the Living
Word is the remedy we must have recourse to, for it
alone possesses the power
לחזק את בדק הבית to repair the breaches of
the house. More on this subject in my next.
“Wishing you and all your readers
כתיבה וחתימה טובה,
“I
am sir, your obedient servant,
“D. Asher.
“Berlin, Sept. 2d, 5609.”
Return of Eight Jewish Members to the House of
Assembly, Jamaica.—We perceive, by the letters
and papers received from Jamaica of the 17th ult.,
that eight Jews were elected representatives in the
House of Assembly, which contains altogether but 47
members. The gentlemen thus honoured are—Mr. Magnus
for the parish of Trelawny (which ranks second in
the island); Mr. George Phillips for St. James;
Messrs. Lindo and Hart for St. Mary’s; Mr. Edward
Lucas for Port Royal, Mr. Lyon for St. Dorothy; Mr.
Salom for St. Thomas in the Vale; and Mr. Philip
Laurence was again returned for Kingston. Whilst at
home the lords dread the unchristianising of a
Parliament having 650 odd members by one Jew,
a Parliament in the English colonies admits eight
Jewish members in a House of 47 members, and does
not fear being Judaised by them. What an anomaly!—Jewish
Chronicle, Oct. 5.
Important MS.—In a previous number of our
Journal we gave a description of a MS. of our great
commentator Rashi with deviations from all our
printed editions. Like all other treasures of Jewish
literature, however, it was not purchased by one of
our Jewish brethren or institutions, but by the
curators of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, who were
anxious to secure this valuable relic. We should
have rather wished to see it in the Beth Hamidrash
(the Jewish college) of London. All that we
can hope for now is, that Messrs. Edelman and Dukes,
who are ransacking the rich stores of the Oxford
library, be enabled to communicate to the Jewish
public the result of their researches in exploring
the mines of Jewish learning, which the wealthy Jews
have allowed to be, as it were, estranged from
themselves and concealed in a spot where, until
within the last year, hardly a Jew had pitched his
tent.—Ibid. |
