Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-25
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


val held by the Israelites in the District of
Columbia, In order to raise funds for the pur-
chase Of copy Of their SAPHAR, or Holy Law,
which IL written on parchment with peculiar
ceremonies and care, the least defect or blot
rendering the whole useless. On entering
Harmony Hall, the scene Of the feast, We
found congregated q large number Of ladies
and gentlemen, but no other Gentile' than
the representative of the Star. Many of them
were Enthusiastically of the Teutonic FACE, and
almost every one had the characteristic phys-
ognomy Of the "chosen people," Some of
the " daughters Of Salem" were of that rare
loveliness which would prompt the service of
seven years apprenticeship to possess them,
az they
-s' walk In beauty like the night
OF cloudless chimes and starry skies,
And all that's best Of dark aud bright,
Meet In their aspect and their eyes"
The feast was arranged under the direction
of Captain Luli and Pibrsm, in the genuine
German style, while everything was in strict
accordance with the Mosaic Law. 1t may not
be generally known to our readers that the
Israelites not only reject all pork, lard, or
other portions Of the "unclean beast" but
use no meat which has not been slaughtered
and dressed in accordance with the customs of
their fathers. As they select no animals
marred by "spot or blemish, ;" the meat bear
ing the Hebrew stamps is sought after by
dainty Christians in our northern cities. To
give an idea Of the different soups, ragouts,
puddings, poultry, game and pastries, served
up with varied grayies, requires a better ac-
qusintance with the culinary lore Of Deutch-
land than we possess.
When the guests were seated at q table
which was set around three sides of the hall
the ladies within, and the gentlemen on the
outside-an appropriate welcoming address
wasmade by Mr.. Joseph Fridenwald, the Pres
q n Mr. fficia
Rabbi Of the congregation, then pronounced
blessing in Hebrew, cutting a portion of the
loaf baked for Sabbath use, and dipping it in
salt before he eat it. The bread was passed
around, and then the feast commenced. Solids
and fluids were presented in abundance, and
were enjoyed by all who partook of them.
After the first portion Of the feast had been
discussed, the officiating Rabbi assembled the
orchestra, and delivered an address to his con-
grsgation. As it was in German, we could
not note down his remarks, but they appeared
to give great satisfaction to his hearers When
he had concluded, Mr.. Fridenwald read the
following Regular Toasts:
The memory of George Washington-Patsr
Patrte. Standing and in silence. d.
The President of the United States
The Mayor of the City Of Washington, John
T. Towers.
The City of Washington-The Capital of
the United States of the United States Of
America; the centre of the Western Continent
Civil and religious liberty-The last hope
Of all men.
The Statesmen of America-The history of
the world has produced no greater
The Press-The Archimedean lever Of a re-
publican government.
Woman-The genius of whose inspiration
controls the destiny Of man.
Responses were made to several of these,
but we prefer giving the remarks of but two
members of the congregation in full, as
defining their real position, and testifying
their frm belief in the faith Of their fathers,
Mr.. Henry King, President of the Hebrew
Young Mems Literary Association. rose in
response to a call, ard said The present fes-
tive occasion is we'll calculated to invite US to
serious reflection. /, at least for one, feel
thoughts Of solenn import crOwding to my
mind, and, with your permission, l shall clothe
them into words, not to amuse you, but to
excite you to action.
Look back with me into the vista Of time
to that blessed land in the East, where our
fathers lived, the chosen people of the Lord,
who, himself, said unto them: 81 am the
Lord thy God, which have brought thee out
of the land of Egypt, out Of the house of bond
age. Now therefore hearken, o, Israel, unto
the statutes and unto the judgements which
teach you, for to do them, that ye may live
and 90 in and possess the land which the Lord
God Of your fathers giveth you. Keep, there
fore, and do them for this is your wisdom and
your understanding in the sight of the nations,
which shall hear all these statutes, and say !:
Surely this great nation is wise and under
standing people"
Thus spake eternal wisdom of the Thorah,
and it has ever been a light upon the way of
the children of Israel. Under that law Israel
became the mightiest nation in the time of
David and Solomon. They obeyed it by the
rivers of Babylon, where they hanged their
harps to the willows. Invent with them when
they were dispersed over the whole earth
and though prosecuted, despised, and trodden
Thorsh remained the joy, the comfort, the
strength, and the rallying point for all Is
raelites through thousands Of years.
We, Mr.. President, and ladies' and gen.
tlemen, are the descendants Of those who were
thus highly favored to possess the laws which
were not devised by the erring judgment Of
fallible men, but by Him whose name is
precious We have assembled here to-day to
devise means and ways to secure to US and to
those after us this written law of our God.
Who is 50 recresnt TO his descent that he would
not willingly give his all to secure to US and
our descendants this highest gift of heaven
/, for one, am ready to do my part joyfully,
and with humble pride. l rejoice that was
proud to be citizen Of America, the home Of
the brave and the land of the free but above
all, thank God that am a Jew-ons Of the
children of Isrssl-the chosen people Of God
Capt. Jonas P. Levy, rising in response to
q cali of the guest, said Ny good friends:
Having been called upon by your for
sentiment on this interesting occasion, de-
voted to the sacred purpose of purchasing
our Holy Law, or what we term in Yedish
q Saphar, 1 will attempt to premise it by
q few words l have never in my life
made q speech, except on ship-board to my
crew; and L scarcely know what to say to
such q respectable audience. Being now
brought to an anchor amidst the reefs and
shoals Of mercantile occupation, surrounded
by the ablest and most talented Of our cOun-
trymen in a section far removed from my ac-
eustomed element, am almost ashamed to
utter q word. But why should be ashamed.
No, my friends, am not ashamed to speak
my honest sentiments in this land of liberty,
where freedom of opinion and of speech is
guaranteed TO every one. Although our race