The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-09
MOULTtRlE.
.1awish Reform 1n Now York.

From lengthy article in the Worid, Of satur-
day, we make the following synopsis: In 1S4s, a
number Of young Jewish mechanics from Bavaria,
educated, who possessed clear perception in
religious matters" felt dissatisfied with the care
less and mechanical performances Of Divine SER
vice then in vogue and they resolved to effect g.
reform. DR.. LUDWIG MERzBAoHER, Of Furth, came
to New York about that time and built up the first
congregation, corner Of Grand and Clinton streets;
organized in 1875: In 1847, tho congregation built
a synagogue in Christie street; an organ was pro-
cured. The biennial cycle Of the reading OF the
law, the memorial service Of departed souls on the
day Of atonement, and the confirmation OF boys
and girls, were gradually introduced. In l848 an
elementary school was established. In 1854 q re-
ligious soho;l was opened, the days Of attend
ance being tho Sabbath and Sunday. The accom-
modations soon becoming inadequate, the syna-
gogue in Christie street was sold, and q commodi-
GUS church in Twelfth street purchased and chang
ed to O synagogue The ladies' gallery was now
removed in its place family pews wore con.
structed. In 18G4a committee was appointed to
revise the old Liturgy and on Passover, IN March,
1865, Divine service was hold for the first time ae
cording to the form Of the new prayer book. In
tember following, tho celebration Of the second
days of all Jewish festivals wero abolished. Dr.
MER4BAcHER died October l, 1855, and DR.. ADLER,
the present rector, was appointed his successor
In May, 1866, o law was passed ordalnlng the at-
tecdanto of Divine seryics with uncovered heads,
Tho marriage ceremony md funeral service were
put into form suited to the spirit OF the age. In
| December, 1865, they protested against the de.
cison Of On assembly of rabbis, who declared thas
tho Talmud was the lawful l and binding interpre.
against the endeaYors of a number OF orthodox
conereeations, who wished to establish head or
central authority for all America to give decisions
upon all matters concerning jewish Divine service
| and religious obserVances.
During the past year this congregation contrib
uted to the assistance Of the needy Jews in Jern-
salem 81. .S26, and to the Jewish Orphan Asylum IN
| Now York, sl7, 900. Itfounded the Emanuel The
illogical Seminary. At Passover, it presented to
ts rabbi $4,000, and six months later $4,000 to itu
Rsader. The new Temple, now in course Of erec-
ton corner Of 9th avenue and 43d street. Will eoss
some s6OO000. The site alone cost slO8, 750: This
synagocue is to be in the Moorish style, and prob
| ably win he the handsomcst house OF worship IL
America.
of tho now liturgy, viz: The reformed jews in Al
banv. San Francisco Buffalo Jackson, Michigan,
and the Portuguese ReRormers IN Curacao, Dutch
West Indies There is great want felt by
both orthodox and reformed congregations IN thls
country for English preachers-that is, learned
and efficient men who must be nble to express
1 Themselves with facility and elegance in the En-
elish language and, as these are very difficult tc
procure, Hebrew colleges are now being establish.
ed BY both partles II America Ior Inc express pu'
pose Of educating young men for the ministry.
Both branches of Judaism support the Hebrew
I institutions of Now York. The jewish Orphan
ASYLUM derives annually $4,000, and the jewish
Hospital s1O,00O from tae several congregations
< Movements in tho direction Of reform are not o.
recent date There have beon orthodox and hete.
rodox in tho Jewish fold for Centuries just as these
divisions are formed in the adherents Of every
other creed; but there never has been any. broad
concert Of action in this field. Every individual
] congregation has had to work ont the problem fol
itself DR.. STEM in Frankfort, twenty-five years
ago WIS quito up to whero tho New York Reform
ora are to-day, but there being no national Jewish
ecclesiastical organization anywhere now, thest
Of >t the immediate vicinage Of the actor. To ths
New York congregation, we think, belongs o.in ths
ment on o larger scale, and on snore thorough ant
systematic basis than was ever done before else