Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1860-10-16
- From Leslies Newspaper.
Conservation of a Jewish Synagogue in West
Nineteeenth Street, Near Fifth Avenue.

Conservation of a Jewish Synagogue in West
Nineteenth Street, Near Fifth Avenue.
THE GATES OF ISRAEL.
On Wednesday, September 18th, there was
witnessed in this city the imposing and very
curious ceremony of the conservation of a jew
ish synagogue We refer, of course, to the
opening of the the ''Shearith Ysroil or Gates
of Israel" the new and very prominent build
ing in West Nineteenth street, one door west
of Fifth Avenue The day ia question was.
chosen as being the Two Hundred and Sixtieth
Anniversary of the landing Of the first Jewish
settlers in this country. : b. !
1t is not generally known that among He
brews three distinctions are observed, those of
the German and Polish, and the so called Por-
tugese, which latter, however, embrace many
Spanish and English or American descendants
At time when the Jews in the rest of Europe
were much oppressed, and in common with
many classes of Christians politically and So
cially degraded, those who lived in Spain un-
der the Moors enjoyed high consideration and
rose high in court favor. This was, we believe
the origin of the high claim of the Portuguese
or Spanish Jews, to occupy an eminently res
pectable position, though it is possible that
there may be other reasons not generally
known to the Goyim Certain it is that their
number is very small this synagogue being
the only one in New York city belonging to
them. The only formal difference are some IN
important variations in the ritual and in the
pronunciation Of Hebrew.
Shearith Ysron, or Gates of Israel, is, we be-
leveed, the oldest Hebrew congregation in this
city and also the richest. 1t was established
here in 1928. Until 1929 their place of meet
ing was in Mill street. In 1917 this was taken
down and new one built, which was in turn
torn down in 1888 and its materials used to
build a new one in Crosby street, which was
dedicated in 1884 and occupied until the recent
conservation of the Nineteenth street edfce.-
The new building cost more than one hundred
thousand dollars
THE DEDICATION.
At five o'clock the synagogue was filled,
many among those present being Christian
clergy or laymen. The doors then closed and
the service began with curious and interest
ing ceremony. Four members of the congre-
cation held up a crimson drapery near the
door, from which knocking was presently
heard This was the rabbi, Rev. J. j. Lyons,
demanding on entrance. The oldest Hebrew
now alive in New York, Mr. Nathaniel Phillips,
eighty-seven years of age, now opened the
door while the congregation sang, "Open to
me the gates of righteousness, that may enter
them and praise the Lord" To this the min
lister responded, and was again answered by
the choir.
The rabbi then proceeded to the front Of the
desk, followed by the oldest members carrying
the scrolls of the law. The lamp of the ark
was then lighted while the minister sang and
the choir responded, after which the rabbi and
procession walked around the Synagogue sew
en- times This is an imposing ceremony,
which concludes by the deposit OF the scrolls
of the law in the ark
" After the deposit of the scrolls in the ark,
discourse was delivered by Rev DR.. Fischell,
in which he traced the history Of the Jews the
decline of the great nations which had OPP
pressed them, and the final existence of the
Hebrew notwithstanding all this oppression.
prayer for government then followed, and the
Rev Mr. Lyons delivered an excellent conserva-
tive prayer in English. At q little before sew
en- the service concluded with the singing of
Halelujah. 1.-THE singing Of the choir, eigh-
teen voices in all, was very fine, and much ad-
mired by judges Of sacred music. It includes
several members of the lillian opera, and among
the best voices are those Of the Nelson Sis
ters The instrumental part consisted Of eigh-
teen performers. The music was composed
and admirably conducted by Mr.. D. Miranda"
THE NEW SYNAGOGUE.
The new building in Nineteenth street is Of
the Paadian style of architecture, or blend
ing of the Ionic and Corrinthian subdivision of
the Greek style, and is surmounted by dome.
The facing material is Of Nova Scotia stone.
Through the doorway the visitor passes to
small and then large vestibue on the ground
HOOr, OTnaIilGuIeU Dy COTiulIllau COiuiIllls anu
decp-bayed ceiling. Around are numerous
doors, and before doors leading to an open
space without, covered by an arbor hung with
awning for the feasts Of the tabernacle. To
: the left are four StalrcaseS two Tor males and
two for females, the sexes being separated in
the Hebrew US we'll as in the Quaker devotons.
The seats in the church are ranged to the
right and the left, leaving open space for the
desk, the ark, stage and the movable pulpit
of the preacher. The ark itself is surrounded
by roSso nntico marble columns, with glded
capitals, and is richly panneled with rosewood
and otherwise adorned. It's interior is covered
with gold and crimson drapery, and contains
fourteen scrolls. These scrolls are Of parch-
ment and wound round rosewood handles,
mounted with silver ends and three rows Of
gold bells.
The interior ofthe buildingis decorated, while
the windows are filled with richly stained glass
From the pannelled ceiling rise an octagonal
dome, with panneed sides, the opening at the
top being filled with glasses like that of the
other windows.
It is said that the ark of this Synagogue is
the finest in the world. The which next
approaches in beauty is the celebrated one of
the Synagogue of Leghorn. Take it altogether
this Synagogue is one of the first seats of wor-
ship of ''the people, in the world, and decided
ly one of the prominent lions and curiosi-
ties of New York. The name Of its architect is
Robert Nook, Esq.