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The Hebrew Education Society of Philadelphia
have since our last made farther progress in their
organization, and have elected on March 2d, as their
English teacher, Miss Evelyn Bomeisler, who has for
several years acted in that capacity with
distinction and credit, in one of the principal
public schools. The appointment was entirely
unsolicited on her part, and it required the
persuasion of several members of the committee to
induce her to assume the task, knowing as she did
the difficulties of training the youthful mind
properly, especially as the religious education is
to be mixed up with the instruction in worldly
things. But at length her hesitation was overcome,
and she relinquished a post which was highly
honourable to one who numbers <<57>> yet so few
years, to join her labours with others for the
furtherance of the interests of our faith. We trust
that she will never have cause to regret this step,
and that all Israelites here will encourage the
enterprise in which the Society is engaged. Mr.
Michael M. Allen was at the same time chosen Hebrew
teacher, and the uniform good conduct of this young
gentleman gives us every hope that he will not omit
anything to promote the welfare of the school. We
must not omit noticing the happy circumstance that
both our teachers are natives of this city, and we
are truly pleased to be able to chronicle that the
first regular school established here has been able
to call to the good work two persons born within the
vicinity where their labours are required. We hail
it as the surest evidence of progress among us. It
is the intention of the committee to commence the
school, unless prevented by the backward state of
the necessary preparations, on the 7th of April, and
we have been honoured with the task of delivering
the opening address on the day previous, and we
trust that all may proceed as now designed. We
cannot avoid stating that the members of the board
and the various committees, having the business in
charge, have proceeded harmoniously and
energetically ever since there was a prospect of
making a beginning, and at the frequent meetings
required, a remarkable punctuality in attending has
been Witnessed, and it must not be forgotten that
nearly all the members are business men, with whom
time is precious. So good a beginning ought to be
followed by a good result, and we trust that we
shall be able to report, in future numbers of our
Magazine, that this has been achieved.
New York.—On the 23d of March, about
midnight, Major Mordecai M. Noah departed this life
in his sixty-sixth year. His life has been a
remarkably chequered one, having filled many public
stations, and been distinguished as an editor of
several papers during his busy career. But we cannot
venture to give an extended notice of his life, as
we lack the materials to do him justice. We had
hoped to receive a full account from his family in
time for this number, but we have been disappointed;
but still we look forward to obtain such a one for a
later period, and it is not likely that this worthy
Israelite will be soon forgotten, or that the
interest in the details of his life will be
diminished by a little delay.
Mobile.—We learn that the lot on which the
Synagogue is to be built has been purchased, and no
doubt speedy steps will be taken to proceed with the
structure.
New Orleans.—The consecration of the
Synagogue Shangaray <<58>>Chased took place on
Wednesday the 5th of March, with proper solemnities.
Rev. M. N. Nathan of the Portuguese congregation
assisted the minister, Mr. Gutheim, and we learn
that the latter enchained the close attention of the
audience by a masterly discourse which occupied
about an hour. The service consisted as usual of
verses selected from the Scriptures, chiefly the
Psalms, suitable to the occasion; the blessing
“Sheheheyahnu,” a prayer “Shemang Yisrael,” as is
usual among the Germans, after which were recited
Psalms lxxxiv. and xxiv., followed by
ובנחה יאמר, when
two verses from the subjoined hymn were sung.
Hymn.
I.
Thou All in All—Universal Lord!
There is no treasure man can hoard
That is not thine! Then how can we
Presume to offer aught to thee?
‘Tis but withpure and earnest lays
We God can thank, and sound his praise.
Chorus.
Thanks to thee, O Lord! we render,
Let thy grace accept our lay;
Words are all we now can tender,
All the homage man can pay.
II.
This temple to thy hallowed name
Is raised, thy glory to proclaim;
Here we for sins forgiveness crave,
Our hearts from secret pangs to save,
And here thy sons, in sacred phrase,
Will thank thee, Lord, and sound thy praise.
Chorus.
Thanks to thee O Lord! &c.
III.
Vouchsafe this house thy kind regard,
And to our prayers incline thine ear;
O let its founders meet reward,
And blessings its supporters cheer.
Thus filled with joy; they, all their days,
Will thank thee, Lord, and sound thy praise.
<<59>>
Chorus.
Thanks to thee, O Lord! &c.
IV.
Grant that Israel soon may see
Jerusalem to its site restored;
When all men’s hearts from sin set free,
And nations all with one accord
Will chant thy name in sacred phrase,
And thank thee, Lord, and sound thy praise.
Chorus.
Thanks to thee O Lord! &c.
Next succeeded the sermon, followed by Psalm cl.,
benediction, and finale by the orchestra. We regret
not having received a more detailed account, which
we needs must ascribe, we suppose, to the modesty of
the parties interested, being unwilling to speak of
their own exertions. At all events we rejoice that
the new Synagogue is completed, and that the people
have another place where they can assemble and
praise the Lord.
The New Orleans Hebrew Benevolent Association
gave a ball on Purim evening, which we doubt not was
all that was expected of it, to judge from the
preparations made. We are also pleased to observe
the kindly feeling expressed by the various papers
sent us towards our brethren in the South, and we
sincerely hope that both as men and Israelites they
may always deserve the love and confidence of their
fellow-citizens.
Charleston.—We learn with pleasure, from a
reliable source, that the Rev. Julius Eckman makes
many and blessed exertions to restore religion to
its former orthodox standard among his flock. Our
sincere wishes are with him, that he may indeed
succeed in implanting a greater desire for religious
conformity, and in drawing the hearts of many to the
service of the Lord our God.
The Thirteenth Annual Examination of the
Hebrew Sunday School of Philadelphia took place in
the Portuguese Synagogue, Cherry Street, on Sunday,
the 30th of March. The exercises were of the usual
nature, and the number of scholars about the average
of the last several years, to wit, about one hundred
and forty. The examination passed off quite
creditably, and added another testimony of the
usefulness <<60>>of an institution where the
children can weekly obtain wholesome instruction in
religious truth. The superintendent presented the
following report which was read by Mr. A. Finzi, the
acting Hazan of the congregation Mikve Israel:
“On the thirteenth anniversary of the Sunday School
the superintendent has the satisfaction still to
speak of encouragement and co-operation amongst
congregations of Israelites in this city, of
continued aid and faithful service from teachers of
intelligence and affectionate deportment in pupils,
and of generous contributions from patrons. In
pursuing this “labour of love” her heart warms to
the cause which, being blest by the Father of
mercies, she doubts not will grow and prosper to the
latest time. The more his words are studied and
known, the more generally will they be heeded and
obeyed; every mother in Israel will teach them
diligently to her children, “speaking of them when
they lie down and when they rise up;” and the daily
habit of loving God and keeping his commandments
will accompany and cheer them through the rugged
path of life, ever giving strength to endure and
gratitude to enjoy the destiny marked out by
Superior Wisdom. We are taught that religion should
be our every-day garment, should cover us when we
sleep, and when we awake go with us wherever we go,
teaching us to trust stead fast on that watchful
Providence which shapes our course. ‘For it is not
in man that walketh to direct his steps.’
“In the accompanying account of receipts and
expenditures it will be seen that efforts are making
to create a permanent fund which it is hoped in a
few years may become sufficient to secure the
permanency of the school, should it fall into less
zealous hands, or on times of difficulties which
might check the generous impulses to which it owes
its origin.
“Many of the present teachers are former pupils in
the school; from the same source others will rise to
take their turn, when the present generation passes
away, or are called to other duties. May the
Guardian of Israel still be nigh to rectify their
ways and grant them peace.”
The receipts were, Balance, March 1850, $28.53;
amount deposited with the Pennsylvania Company,
$100; amount received from contributions at the
examination, $88.02; received for books sold,
$39.07; interest on $1000 Pennsylvania 5 per cent.
stock, $47.50; interest on deposit, $9.63; total,
$312.75. The expenditures were, Paid for books and
refreshments in 1850, $52.58; for one year’s rent of
school room, $50; for books and refreshments 1851,
$37.78 balance deposited at Pennsylvania Company,
$172.39: total, $312.75.
A
collection was as usual taken up during the course
of the morning, the result of which we have not
heard. Several scholars recited selected pieces, and
one delivered a well-written valedictory address,
his own composition, and spoken from memory. It had
more than the average merit of such productions, and
we trust that it is an earnest of what this young
Israelite will be able to do and also accomplish
when he advances in life. |
