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Philadelphia.—At the
last annual election of the congregation Mikveh
Israel, the gentlemen composing last year’s Board
were reelected, Mr. A. Hart as Parnass, and Messrs.
J. A. Phillips, M. Arnold, <<377>>A. S. Wolf, and I.
J. Phillips, as Adjuntas; Mr. H. Gratz was
re-elected Treasurer, and Mr. Simeon W. Arnold,
elected Secretary. We regret at not being able to
announce that some wholesome legislation with
respect to the office of Hazan, and the commutation
of the money offerings has not taken place; both the
by-laws affecting the subjects not having met with
the approbation of the members. They seem to be
afflicted with a sort of nervousness whenever any
measure somewhat new in its tendency is proposed;
they go into meeting with the resolve of the English
iron-clad barons, “not to change the laws” of their
order, however useful, expedient, or even necessary
the measure proposed may be, or however wrong and
oppressive the old rule may have proved in practice.
At present we do not think it requisite to say more;
but a time may come, especially if a contingency
should arise, which now seems possible enough, when
we may deem it requisite to appeal to the public
judgment for our own justification, when we shall
have to lay some circumstances before the people
which we now mean to let pass in silence, as it is
probable that before many months some slight changes
may be made in an obnoxious law; a consummation
devoutly to be wished. Some may believe it imprudent
in us to say even this little; but since, as said
already, it may affect our personal standing in the
community, in case that something is not done in the
premises before the expiration of another year, we
hold it right to forewarn our distant friends, not
to throw any blame on us if we do not submit to a
usage peculiar to our congregation, although we were
twice over-persuaded to do so before this.—
We are at the same time
gratified to announce that, as we learn, an
appropriation was made of two hundred dollars
towards defraying the expenses of a school for one
year, should the Education Society succeed in
establishing the same. But there are still many
difficulties in the way, chiefly owing to the
accessibility of the public schools; that we fear
that the establishment of a seminary of our own will
have to be postponed for another season. The
society’s funds amount to about two thousand
dollars, the accumulation of about three years’
saving; the income from this, and the annual
contribution of the sixty members, even with the
guarantied aid of our own congregation, are not
enough to secure a successful beginning, unless
parents should be willing to take their children
from the public and private schools where they are
now taught, and to pay a moderate sum for tuition,
such as was fixed by the board of the society, that
is, five dollars per quarter for one child of any
family, and three dollars additional for every
additional one. Small as these fees may appear, they
would form a handsome aggregate sum, and would
enable the school directors <<378>>to open one or
more schools without delay. But we are deeply pained
to say that, hitherto, the matter has not been taken
up with the alacrity which it deserves, which it
demands. We ascribe the decay of religion to the
former great want of religious training among the
Israelites in this country, and the wrong tendency
which instruction often received in Europe;
enlightened religious education, which will elevate
the soul and direct the spirit, is alas, of but rare
occurrence; and still it is the only method to fix
religion in the heart of man, and to enable him to
combat successfully with the dangers which it must
meet with in the life of the best and wisest even.
Now we acknowledge, that in the ordinary schools,
education, such as it is, can be obtained; you can
learn readily, reading, writing, and arithmetic, a
little geography, and a little less grammar; but
after spending seven or eight years on these
momentous acquisitions, you have been left
altogether uninformed of what religion demands of
you, and you have no knowledge whatever of the
sacred language of your people. It strikes us that
all which is taught in public schools could be
communicated to an intelligent child in half the
time it takes there; whilst there will be ample
opportunity to impart a great deal more than can be
conveyed in establishments where three or four
hundred scholars are gathered under one roof, and
where a proper classification becomes absolutely
impossible.
Besides all this, we think it
best for Jewish children to become acquainted
together in early youth, that they may be able to
act in unison when they grow up, and acquire
insensibly a proper respect for each other; whereas,
under present circumstances, they imbibe not rarely
that prejudice for Jews which they hear expressed,
incidentally perhaps, by teachers and pupils, and
which the school-books also inculcate. Should not
something be done in this respect? Will the
Israelites of Philadelphia, New York, and other
large cities, not strive to establish among
themselves a high standard of education, by which
their children might be elevated to the proud
distinction of well-informed and consistent
followers of the God of our fathers? The means are
at hand; the only question is, “shall they be used?”
and we trust that the love of money is not so
strongly rooted among us, but that those having the
means will do a little to place their religion in
such an eminent position in America, that we shall
find among us men enlightened in their faith, its
history, and duties, that not all the requisite
learning will have to come from Europe and Asia. The
present defect of our native Israelites in religious
knowledge is far from creditable; it is time that it
be altered.—More Anon.
<<379>>
The Asmonean.—Under this title Mr. Robert Lyons, one
of our occasional correspondents, proposes to issue
a weekly paper, to appear every Friday, in
the city of New York. The prospectus, we find, has
been extensively circulated, and hence there is no
occasion for us to say much of the proposed tendency
of the paper. The price will be three dollars per
annum. We hope that the enterprise will meet with
due encouragement; at the same time, we do not
hesitate in saying that it is more likely to result
in a heavy pecuniary loss to the proprietors. Our
own experience in publishing for our people is
something like a long series of disappointments; and
had it not been that we needed not the smallest
portion of the proceeds for our personal support, we
should long since have relinquished the editorial
chair. We are always sorry to see an inexperienced
person expose himself to the disappointments which
are sure to await him; we know what it is to battle
with a public who do not care to hear from one, no
matter what he has to say, and we therefore had
hoped that for the present no more candidates for
disappointment would have presented themselves. We
dissuaded Mr. Bush from commencing “Israel’s
Herald;” he
nevertheless went on, printed twelve numbers, and
then stopped, having found that we had advised him
correctly. We wish Mr. Lyons a better success,
though we fear the contrary. We shall probably
notice the paper when it appears.
A
Descriptive Geography of Palestine.—Rabbi Joseph
Schwarz, of Jerusalem, now a messenger to this
country, is the author of a
Geography of the Holy
Land, written in the Hebrew language. The
approbation which the work has received, owing to
the rediscovery of many places mentioned in
Scripture and the Talmudical writings, and the light
it throws on many an obscure passage occurring
therein, and the request addressed to him from
various quarters, have induced him to issue an
English translation of it. We have consented to
undertake this work for the learned gentleman, and
he promises to furnish us with all the aid requisite
to do the subject justice. The brother of the
author, Mr. Abraham Schwarz, of 244 Second Street,
New York, is the publisher, and orders may be
addressed to him or to the Editor. The price of the
book, ornamented with maps and drawings, will be
$1.50, and we have no doubt but that it will prove a
valuable acquisition to all libraries. Rabbi Joseph
is a man of high education, thoroughly familiar with
the Hebrew and Arabic, and has been long a resident
in Palestine; he therefore brings to the task all
the elements of doing the work well. We trust that
he will be duly appreciated.
<<380>>
NEW YORK.—The Congregation Anshay Chased, of New
York, are, as we learn, engaged in erecting a large
Synagogue in lieu of their present place of worship
in Henry Street, which has been disposed of to the
Polish congregation now worshipping in White Street.
We hear that it is larger than any Synagogue
heretofore erected in New York; it will be ready for
consecration about the Passover holy-days.
WILKES-BARRE.—Consecration
of a New Synagogue.—By
invitation of the Israelites of Wilkes-Barre we had
the pleasure of being present, on Friday, the 31st
of August, at the consecration of the new Synagogue,
B’nay Berith, just finished by the congregation
which has been gradually assembling in the Valley of
Wyoming for the last ten years. The ceremonies were
conducted by the Rev. Moses Strasser, the local
minister, and Rev. S. M. Isaacs, of New York. The
service commenced about 3 P. M., and was concluded
about 6. The Rev. Mr. I. delivered an impressive
consecration sermon, which left as usual a very
favourable impression on the audience, composed of
numerous Israelites and many Christian inhabitants
of the town and neighbour. hood. It is a commendable
circumstance, which we record with more than usual
gratification, that the Christian citizens of
Wilkes-Barre contributed about one thousand dollars
to the building of this neatly fitted up Jewish
place of worship, amply redeeming the promise they
made when advising our brothers to erect a suitable
and permanent building; and the building committee
deserve great praise for the manner in which they
have discharged the duty devolving upon them. The
building is situated on a lot of 50 by 100 feet, and
measures on the outside 44 by 28, and on the inside
38 by about 26, the difference being occupied by the
entry and thickness of the walls. The gallery
extends only on one side, opposite the
היכל; and the main
building also is reached by a double flight of
stairs, the basement beneath being in part fitted up
as a school-room. The men’s Synagogue contains now
seventy-eight seats, but there is full space for
about fifty more with ease, and with a little
crowding the seats could easily be doubled, thus
giving ample room for the probable requirements of
the congregation for several years to come. We think
there must have been between fifty and sixty male
Israelites over thirteen years present at the
dedication, say about forty ladies, and a due
proportion of children; from these data our readers
will easily see that there is material enough to
form a permanent congregation. The general conduct
during worship was good, and the singing quite
creditable to the choir, which had been
<<381>>trained by the Rev. Mr. Strasser. The rain
poured down in torrents the greater part of the day,
which naturally prevented many from coming who
otherwise would have been there; as it was, the
Synagogue was nearly filled to its capacity by an
attentive and gratified audience, and the collection
which was taken up resulted entirely to the
satisfaction of the directors.
On
the following day the liberality of the members was
displayed in liberal offerings, and they proved that
they had not become wearied by the contributions
they had already made. Near the conclusion of the
service we addressed the assembly on the concerns of
eternal life, and were rewarded with the devout and
reverential attention of the auditors; and we
express only our own honest sentiments and those of
our friend, Mr. Isaacs, that we are jointly indebted
to our brethren of Wilkes-Barre, for the manner in
which they received the message in the name of the
Lord, which we were permitted to bring them; and our
earnest hope is that many blessed fruits may spring
from the seed which was sown in an apparently very
fruitful soil. There is ample scope for a worthy
body of Israelites in that elegantly situated
valley; and it depends altogether on the people
themselves, whether they are to be respected as
honest citizens and God-fearing men; and we trust
that they will duly appreciate their privileges and
liberties as freemen, to acknowledge the mercies of
the God of their fathers who has prospered their
labours, and cast their portion in pleasant parts.
But we can hardly doubt that so auspicious a
beginning must progress prosperously; and that we
shall hear many good accounts of the new
congregation, who have united themselves as “sons of
the covenant,” to the general body of Israelites. We
could furnish a few particulars of the exertions of
individuals, but where all have acted so well it
would appear invidious; but this much we may say
without offence, that the hand of the “women of
Israel” has been conspicuous in organizing and
encouraging this community, for which we trust that
many blessings may attend them. The curtain before
the ark (the congregation follow the German Minhag)
is also a gift of the ladies, and is quite
creditable to their taste. We must record a pleasing
instance connected with the consecration: several of
the relatives of the residents of Wilkes-Barre,
arrived from Germany on the night before the
appointed ceremonies, and they brought with them a
handsome Sepher, the gift to the Synagogue from Mr.
Bernhard Meyers, of Bayreuth, Bavaria, the father of
the Mrs. Martin and Marx, Long, and Mr. David
Meyers, of Wilkes-Barre. The arrival of this sacred
book was hailed with joy by the
<<382>>community,
and it was duly honoured in the procession at the
consecration, there having been but one in town
before its arrival.—The congregation have also a
neat burial place on the outskirts of the town; it
has a substantial railing in front, and is easy of
access.—The officers of the congregation are, Martin
Long, Parnass; John Konstein, Vice-President and
Treasurer; Marx Strauss, Joseph Coon, and Joseph
Schwabacher, Trustees. We have thus given all the
necessary particulars of this new society of
Israelites in the interior of Pennsylvania, and our
scattered brothers can learn from it what can be
done if the will be there to effect any good. Union
is everything, and with it seeming impossibilities
are often overcome, and beautiful results crown the
labour of those who are earnest in their endeavours.
We trust that this pious example may find many
imitators in the many small communities which are
springing up all over the land; and we can assure
them that we will gladly aid them by all the means
in our power.
After our services had been rendered we enjoyed yet
another day the hospitality of our friends, and
early on Monday morning we returned with Mr. Isaacs
to our station; but we can never forget the
hospitality and kindness we enjoyed during our stay
of four days among those whom we met as strangers
and parted from as friends.
Danville, Pennsylvania.—In this place, also, they
were to meet for worship during the holy days. Our
congregation lent them a Sepher; but we hope that
they soon will acquire one for permanent use. In
Lancaster, likewise, we learn that they meet weekly;
in fact, they have done so for two or three years;
but we have never obtained any particulars.—At Fort
Wayne, Indiana, and Wheeling, Virginia, they were
also to meet for worship.—Our readers will thus sec
the leaven of Judaism is spreading.
Richmond, VA—At an annual meeting of the Kaal Kadosh
Beth Shalome, held on the 9th of September, 5609,
the following officers were elected for the ensuing
year (5610):—Jacob A. Levy, Parnass; Isaac Schriver,
Gabay; Jacob Ezekiel, Secretary; Ellis Morris,
Hattan Torah; Naphtali Ezekiel, Hattan Bereshith.
This congregation has been without a Hazan for the
past year, one of its members having officiated, to
whom much credit is due. There is, however, a
gentleman (Mr. Julius Eckman) of distinguished
ability (with whom arrangements have been made)
expected at Richmond in a few weeks, from
Portsmouth, England; and there is great reason to
suppose, from the various testimonials which have
been received relative to his literary and religious
acquirements, that his presence will
<<383>>add
another bright luminary to our hemisphere. It is
contemplated to establish a Hebrew and English
institute in this city, which Mr. Eckman will be the
principal of; in this establishment will be taught
every species of ordinary education, such as is
imparted in similar institutions. The trustees of
the institute have obtained an act of incorporation
from the legislature of this state, on the 4th
of April, 1848, and have been awaiting the
opportunity of obtaining a qualified teacher in
order to go into operation. |
