Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-05-01
THE IsRAELITEs IN MEMPHIS.

The Rev. DR.. WISE, who Oficiated at the opening
of the Synagogue in Memphis, having returned to
Cincinnati, gives the following particulars of his
visit, through his paper, the L'raeEhs;
"Memphis is young and thriving city and her
people are hospitabe sOoiabe polite and enterpris
ing The city being located on the second of the
ChiokasaW bluffs, several hundred feet above the
level of the Mississippi has a healthy location and
offers one of the finest prospects on the banks of
the gigantic river. The large and substantial
buildings erected and in progress now, show the
enterprise and progressive spirit of the people, as
we'll as the rapid increase of commerce and manu-
features
.,The Israelites of this city number between fifty
and sixty families and about twenty to thirty young
men Six years ago, several Of them established
the congregation, Benai Israel and forwards also
burial society and Hebrew Benevolent Society.
The young men associated in a club, styled the He
brew Glee Club The Israelites of Memphis are
respected by their fellow citizens with whom they
are on the best terms Of mutual friendship aud con
cord and by sober industry, contribute largely to
the prosperity and progress Of the city. With the
exception of one or two gentlemen, none Of them
are very wealthy; they are a young industrious
and operative class of people therefore, there is
no poor man among them. Successful as they are
in several enterprises, they liberal and generous
as the people of this region of the country generally
y
spirit Distinguishing Them that they succeeded in
acquiring a Synagogue which is an ornament to
themselves and an honor to Judaism"
"The officers of the congregation for the current
year the following gentlemen: ]. Strauss Presi
dent; D. Frank Vice President E. Bsrinds Treas.
urer; E. F. FARMLAND, Secretary; l. H. Lehman,
B. Walker, NJ. Bamberger, H. Caro- and NJ steiuler,
Trustees. Too much praise can not be bestowed on
these gentlemen for their laudable ZEAL manifested
constantly and manfuly on behalf Of our sacred
1t is by their and especially Messrs Strauss
and Franks exertions, that the leading business
houses of our brethren pledged themselves now, as
they have a proper place of worship, TO observe
oonsoentiOusly the Sabbath of the Lord, and at
tempt dufully to maintain and elevate the worship
of the Most High.
''Several months ago the congregation determined
upon having place Of worship Of their own. A
building committee, consisting Of Messrs. Lehman,
Seessel and Caro-, was appointed to cooperate with
the vestry in the erection Of proper place Of
ship. They, especially by the untiring zeal of Mr.
Strauss, succeeded in obtaining the bank building
corner Of Exchange and Main streets, which they
renovated and elegantly furnished for synagogue
The front of the building with six Corinthian pillars
Of solid stone, is imposing. The interior is neat
spacious, and makes good impression on the visi
tor The ark is a miniature imitation Of that in the
new Synagogue of Mannheim. Elegant are the cur
tairs before the ark and the covers of the pulpit and
desk presented by Messrs srauss Hoffman The
curtain is Of silk velvet and heavy god embroidery
A gold eagle, bearing the palm of peace in its
clutches, stretches its wide pnons aud recalls To
the mind the divine words, "And bore you on
eagles wing and brought you unto me-" Above the
eagle glitter the gold stars, directing the mind
heavenward and the Imagination to the American
eagle, her stars and striped banner, which protect
alike all religious creeds. This present Of Messrs
Strauss s. Hoffman costs about two hundred dollars.
1t is ornament to the synagogue and an honor to
themselves.