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Philadelphia. The German Ladies’ Society gave
a ball, for the benefit of their funds, on the
evening of the 13th of February, which was
well-attended by a numerous company of both Jews and
others. It was, as usual with all the Hebrew balls
heretofore given, well-conducted, and we doubt not
but that the managers gave universal satisfaction.
We regret not having a list of them at our command,
or else we would have given credit, when it is so
well deserved. The net proceeds, we learn
unofficially, were about 575 dollars, seventy-five
of which were handed over to the Ladies’ Sewing
Society, a sister institution which deserves all the
encouragement possible.—Since our last, some
progress has been made by the committee of
school-directors <<617>>of the Education Society
with the preliminary arrangements, and it is now
hoped that a school will be opened on or about the
first of April next, with one Hebrew and one English
teacher, in central locality and the committee is
prepared to engage assistants, whenever the number
of scholars should demand it. We recommend the
project heartily to our readers, both in
Philadelphia and elsewhere, for upon its success
depends, in a great measure, the farther progress of
religious education among American Israelites.
New York. The building of the Synagogue of
B’nai Jeshurun congregation, we hear, is to be
prosecuted forthwith, and we have no doubt but that
it will be an ornamental structure, and be
creditable to the taste of the projectors and the
liberality of the people who intend worshipping in
it. We have not yet heard a time fixed, when it will
probably be completed.—The Rev. (Mr. Isaacs left for
England, on the packet of 12th of February; he is
expected to return in about two months. congregation
liberally presented him with a sum sufficient to pay
the expenses of his voyage, and many were at the
place of his departure to take leave of their
pastor. Such an evidence of sincere attachment for
their minister is highly creditable both to the
people and the object on whom it is bestowed; and,
while we cheerfully acknowledge that Mr. Isaacs is
highly conciliatory in his manner, as well as kind
in his acts, still we would hold up the treatment he
meets with from his congregation to the imitation of
other public bodies to their pastors, as it often
depends on the people, whether the latter are happy
in their calling, and energetic in their acts of
duty, more than is generally imagined.—We wish Mr.
Isaacs a happy return to his flock.
Easton, Pennsylvania. We learn that a new
congregation has been formed in this flourishing
town, under the name of “lmmanuel;” Mr. Michael
Putzel is the President. The consecration of the
Synagogue is to take place on the Sabbath before the
Passover. They desire to engage a competent person
as minister, to whom, for the place, a liberal
salary will be allowed. (See advertisement.) .
Montgomery, Alabama. At the last election,
the following gentlemen were chosen, for the current
year, officers of the congregation: Henry White,
President; M. L. Gerson, Vice-President; Emanuel
Lehman, Secretary; Henry Lehman, Treasurer; G. Myer
and H. Isaac, Trustees.
Mobile, Ala.
We have seen several letters, in which we find the
gratifying statement that, the people of Mobile are
about taking active <<618>>steps to insure the
speedy erection of a handsome place of worship; and
that, when they have succeeded in this, they mean to
look out for a minister every way qualified
to teach and exhort them, and to point out to them
the way they should go. We hope they may realize
their hopes in both the erection of the house of
prayer and the obtainment of an individual who may
be truly to them a friend and shepherd, who will
lead them safely, under the guidance of the Guardian
of Israel.
New Orleans. Since the commencement of
building the new German Synagogue, the congregation,
until lately, worshipped in the large dining-room of
the St. Louis Hotel. After the destruction of the
St. Charles, the proprietors rented the other, which
had been unoccupied for several years; wherefore the
congregation were requested to vacate it, which they
of course did, without delay, under existing
circumstances. But, as their Synagogue was not yet
finished, the Sephardim invited them to assemble
with them in their place of Worship; and not alone
this, but Mr. Gutheim was invited to preach on the
1st. ult. by Mr. Nathan. Mr. G. acquitted himself,
as we hear, to the satisfaction of the audience,
composed of persons of both sexes of both
congregations. We trust that this cordiality may
long prevail, ands that all Israelites at New
Orleans may only strive to excel each other in doing
good, and to serve the cause of our God and
people.—The
Consecration of the new Synagogue, probably, took
place on the 19th of February, but we
have of course not received the particulars while
preparing this for the press.
Kingston, Jamaica. The National School, under
the direction of Mr. Benj. A. Franklin, now taught
by Mrs. Pyke and M. Delavante, was continued open
during the whole time that the cholera raged so
fearfully in that city; and only one child, of the
numerous scholars, fell a victim to the pestilence.
This institution was the only one which was steadily
kept open during the epidemic. It is desired to
engage a competent unmarried man, of about 25 years
of age, as head-master of school, with a salary of
from 150 to 200 pounds sterling per annum, with free
lodging superadded. Should the party also be
competent to act as assistant minister, either for
the Portuguese or German Synagogue, he would no
doubt, as Mr. Franklin writes to us, be chosen: as
both congregations are desirous of engaging one. We
make the matter public in our Magazine, as the
readiest manner of serving the directors of the
school, as, doubtless, those who see this, and think
themselves capable, will apply to the President, Mr.
B. A. Franklin, Kingston, Jamaica.
<<619>>
Cincinnati. We have received a communication
from the respected Secretary of the Bnai Israel
Congregation of Cincinnati, which says “We have
purchased the ground adjoining our present
Synagogue; and our lot is worth 20,000 dollars,
which you will see is a vast sum to raise for the
purpose. Now we have to raise the means of building;
an appeal will be made to our brethren through the
States, so soon as our plans are fully matured. We
propose to begin this spring, and require 25,000
dollars to finish the building, schools, &c., to be
attached to the edifice, which is to be ninety feet
square. It is absolutely necessary for us to build,
to accommodate the increased and increasing
multitude around us, though we find much difficulty
in our proposed object.” It will be seen that the
new structure is not a matter of luxury, but one of
necessity, with our Cincinnati friends; we trust,
therefore, that when they make their appeal, they
may be liberally answered by those having the means
to aid them. But should the response not be what our
friends expect, we would still advise them to
proceed with their intentions; for, if they even
should incur a considerable indebtedness, they will,
with a little prudent management, be soon able to
extricate themselves from any temporary difficulty
thus caused, and in a very few years they would have
the building cleared from any incumbrance. At the
same time, we advise them too to engage, without
delay, a person who will be able to give them public
religious instruction; the salary would not be a
heavy burden on them, as experience will soon teach
them.
Chicago. We learn that the new Synagogue will
probably be completed early in May, when it is
proposed to consecrate it. The Rev. Mr. Isaacs has
been asked to preach on the occasion, and we are
informed that he has accepted the invitation.
Congregation Bnai Jeshurun of New York.
Postscript. After we had prepared nearly the whole
of this number for press, we received an invitation
to be present at the laying of the corner-stone of
the Synagogue of this congregation in Green Street,
on Tuesday afternoon, the 25th of February. The
ceremony of the laying of the stone was to have been
performed by the President, Mr. Abraham Mitchell ;
Rev. Dr. Raphall was to peach a sermon, and the Rev.
Ansel Leo was to conduct the religious exercises in
Hebrew. We hope that this structure will soon be
ready to receive the worshippers; as it is, among
others, an evidence that Judaism is progressing in
this country. |
