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Philadelphia.—On Sunday the 6th of April the
school of the Hebrew Education Society of
Philadelphia was formally opened by an address from
Mr. Leeser, conformably to a resolution of the Board
of Managers. The address, such as it is, will be
found in this month’s Occident, where it appears by
general request of the meeting who desired its
publication. We regret to observe that many were
absent who ought to have taken an interest in the
matter; we could easily assign a reason for this,
but it is nothing more than has taken place on other
occasions, that those who are loudest and most
active where injury can be done, are generally among
the missing when a great and a good deed is to be
accomplished. For our part we thank the audience for
the marked kindness with which they received our
remarks, and only hope that they may support the
institution in behalf of which we spoke, in every
possible way, so as to secure its permanence, when
even its original proposers are no longer among the
living.—On Monday, the day following, the scholars
assembled to the number of twenty-two, in the
presence of the members of the school directors who
were in the city, and the business of instruction
commenced forthwith. The little time that has since
elapsed does not enable us to say much of progress;
but what has been done proves that the teachers are
faithful and capable, and that the plan of the
society is easily susceptible of a successful
execution.
The Young Men’s Literary Association is
progressing; it has a small library and some little
funds; but it will no doubt increase is both in a
brief time. It was organized on the 23d of June
last, and the first lecture was delivered on the
evening of the 10th of April by Mr. L. Tobiason, a
member of the society, the meeting having first been
opened by the Chairman, Mr. M. M. Allen, who was
followed in <<117>>a brief address on the objects of
the Society by Mr. Leeser. The next lecture of the
course will be delivered by Mr. S. C. Van Beil, on
the character of Mohammed, in the evening of the 8th
of May. Mr. Tobiason’s lecture was on Moderation
and displayed a great deal of correct thinking, and
more good sense than one had reason to expect from
so young a man; it would have done credit to older
heads. The officers for the present season are M. M.
Allen, President; S. C. Van Beil, Treasurer; Jacob
Lyons, Secretary; S. L. Linsé, Librarian; Morris J.
Arch, L. H. De Young, and J. M. Emanuel, Managers.
Easton, Pa.—On
Sabbath Eve before the Passover the congregation
Emanuel of Easton consecrated their Synagogue to
the worship of God. We learn from an eye-witness
that the building was filled with an attentive
audience, and the ceremonies were both impressive
and conducted; so as to reflect high credit on all
concerned. Mr. M. Loeb, Editor of the Doylestown
Morning Star, was present by invitation and
delivered an oration on the day following (Sabbath
Haggadol) which received universal approbation. On
Sunday, the 13th of April, a meeting was called of
the members of the congregation, when Mr. M. Cohn,
the Vice President, was called to the chair, and Mr.
L. Traugott appointed Secretary. A committee
composed of Messrs. A. Hofhimer, M. Marx, and L.
Adler, drafted suitable resolutions expressive of
the sense of the members, which were adopted and
duly communicated to Mr. L. We are pleased to
witness an appreciation of services thus rendered,
and the fact that there are men among us, others
than those connected with the ministry, who are able
to do our cause justice.
New York.—The Congregation Bnai Israel,
composed mostly of Netherlandish Jews have left
their place of worship in Pearl Street, and taken
possession of a more commodious house in Chrystie
Street, which they dedicated to God on the second
day of Passover. The officiating ministers were Rev.
S. C. Noot, the Hazan of the Kahal, and Rev. Dr.
Raphall, who preached an appropriate sermon.
Albany, New York.—We learn from Dr. Wise that
the formerly existing amity between the various
Jewish inhabitants of the capitol of New York, has
been restored; and that his Synagogue has been well
attended during the Passover. The usual examination
of his school took place on one of the days of the
festivals, and we are assured that the scholars
distinguished themselves greatly by the proficiency
they exhibited in their studies.
Syracuse, New York.—The Hebrews residing in
Syracuse, are about to erect a Synagogue. Its
estimated cost is from $7000 to $8000.
<<118>>
Cincinnati, Ohio.—We have received a paper
from one of our friends containing the
correspondence between certain Israelites and the
Secretary of State, the Hon. Daniel Webster, with
reference to the Swiss treaty, of which we spoke in
our March number. Mr. W. in his reply promises, that
the objectionable clause should be stricken out; and
as the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate
of the United States recommended this step, and the
treaty having thereupon been confirmed, we have no
doubt that the Swiss cantons will retract the
offensive step they have taken, and submit to have
the treaty so modified as to place no barrier to its being acceptable
to the taste of the people of this country. We are
pleased to record mat this attempt against our
rights has been so signally rebuked by the
authorities of the country, and that the Israelites
in many places have been duly attentive to protect
their privileges as citizens by energetic remonstrances in the proper quarters.
Memphis, Tennessee.—The Israelites of this
city, which is situated on the Mississippi River, in
Western Tennessee, have been presented with a
burying-ground, through the liberality of Mr. Joseph
J. Andrews, formerly of Philadelphia. The people
have lately formed themselves into a Hebrew
Benevolent Society and adopted a constitution and
by-laws for their government. The officers for the
current year are Benjamin Emanuel, President; Moses
Simons, Vice President; Emanuel Levy, Secretary;
Jacob Bloim, Treasurer; and Nathan Levy, Henry
Oppenheimer, and Moses Bamberger, Trustees. The
Society have charge of the burying-ground, and the
pamphlet before us, embracing their regulation
contains also rules respecting the mode of
internment, and we see that they will be at the
expense of putting it in proper order. We doubt not
that with the usual energy attending on new
settlements of Israelites in this country, those of
Memphis will duly made the trust they have received,
and speedily organize a regular congregation for
public worship. We hope to be soon favoured by their
worthy president and his colleagues with substantial
tokens of progress to effect the end we have
indicated.
Mobile.—We hear from a valued correspondent
that the Synagogue about to be erected there is to
cost about $15,000. The brick work is to be finished
during the course of the summer, and the basement,
which is hereafter to be used as a school-room, is
to serve temporarily as the place of worship. When
the building is completed, the people, we
understand, wish to engage a preacher, and we are
pleased to record this desire, as it shows that they
have a true appreciation of public religious
instruction.
<<119>>
New Orleans.—We learn that the charity ball,
which took place on the night of Purim, resulted in
the nett sum of nine hundred dollars towards the
funds, and we doubt not that had it been ten times
more it could not have been better bestowed than it
is on those who so sedulously strive in that city to
relieve the distresses of their fellow Israelites.
San Francisco, California.—We are pleased to
learn that at the latest account the Israelites were
busily engaged to devise means to erect a Synagogue
forthwith. We see in the Evening Picayune of March
14th a call for a meeting of Israelites of that
place to convene on the evening of 16th at 7
o'clock, (signed by Messrs. J. J. Joseph, H. Hart,
J. Solomon, A. Watters, Samuel Marx and Louis Cohen
as committee,) to receive a report and to devise
means to effect the object in view, and we cannot
doubt that before this the work has been actively
begun. We extract an editorial notice from the paper
mentioned, to show the estimation in which our
people are held in California.
“The Israelites.—We are highly gratified to notice
that the large and respectable class of our
fellow-citizens, above named, are taking spirited
measures towards the construction of an edifice
suited to the convenience of their solemn religious
services—the most ancient and revered known among
the worshippers of the ‘One Living and True GOD.’ We
are glad for them, that they have chosen to cast
their lot amongst us, under a government that gives
them the fullest protection in the exercise of their
faith and worship, and which affords them equal
opportunities with all other citizens to develops
any extent of their aspirations their political,
social, religious, and civil interests.
“In the flourishing condition of our city, we notice
with pleasure among this class of citizens, a
steadily progressing prosperity, and the evidences
of permanent thrift, based upon their habits of
close application to business, and an honest fulfilment of the engagements which they undertake.
Their increasing wealth; their consistent and
intelligent support of our political system of
government; their open-handed charities to relieve
the wants of sufferers of whatever country or
religion, and the good moral influence of their
general character, render their admixture with us on
the grounds of a common civilization most able and
useful; and we trust that their purpose to
accommodate themselves, and adorn our city with such
a religious edifice as their wealth and liberality
will enable them to erect, will be perfectly
successful.
Montreal.—The annual examination of the
Sunday School took <<120>>place on Sunday, the 23d
of March, and was attended by the President and all
the members of the congregation. The children
present amounted to near thirty, and all acquitted
themselves well. The elder boys, under the immediate
tuition of the able Hazan, the Rev. Mr. De Sola,
translated portions of the Mishna, Bible, prayers,
&c., and were made to analyze several difficult
sentences, which they did with great facility,
affording evidence of the great progress they have
made since last year. The younger ones, both boys
and girls, under the tuition of the lady teachers,
were carefully examined in “Scripture Questions,”
“Pyke’s Catechism,” “the Creed,” “Ten Commandments,”
and also replied with great readiness and evinced
much improvement, thus showing how faithfully their
teachers perform the pleasing duty they have
voluntarily assumed.—Before commencing the
examination, the whole together sung Ane
Kelohanoo, in very good voice, and closed with
repeating the Shemang.—Our correspondent
also informs us that the congregation have repainted
and otherwise improved their place of worship. It is
indeed gratifying to find the spirit for adorning
the house of God prevailing everywhere, and we only
hope that Israelites whilst so engaged will not
forget to adorn themselves with righteousness and
purity, and to remove from theft the odious sins of
hatred and envy which are so unsightly in their
councils, and derogate from their character as true
servants of the Most High.
Sweden.—A letter from Stockholm, of the let
of March, says:— “The committee charged by the
general Diet of the kingdom to examine the motion
having for its object to grant the Israelites the
same civil and political rights which are enjoyed by
other dissenting citizens, which means those who do
not belong to the Lutheran Church,—have declared
themselves by a large majority in favour of this
motion. Five of the members of the committee, Baron
Stedingk, Count Selverstolpe, Messrs. Gustafson,
Sunblatt, and Wasse, have recommended a perfect
emancipation of the Swedish Jews.”—Archives
Israélites of April 1st.
Switzerland.—A letter from Luzern, dated the
9th of March, to the Journal of Geneva, says,—“The
Grand Council which has been in session since
Tuesday has passed a law granting to the Jews the
liberty of establishing themselves and carrying on
business.—Ibid.
[The wording of this paragraph leaves us in doubt
whether it is for the Canton of Luzern alone or the
whole of Switzerland,—we are in-dined to regard it
as the first. Perhaps some better acquainted than we
with the internal affairs of the Helvetian: may be
able to inform us. —Ed. Oc.] |
