The New York herald., 1870-06-06
The TEMPLE SHEARlTH ISRAEL.

Its Fine Interior-Its Oniccrs and Prominent
Membership-The Floral Decorations for
Pentecost-Unique Ceremonies-The First
Day Of the Feast Of Weeks.
The Portuguese synagogue, "Shearith Israeli" in
West Nineteenth street, Fifth avenue. was the
scene yesterday of impressive and unique cere-
monies. 1t was the first day OF Pentecost and in
commemoraion OF this solemn festival the syna-
gogue was profusely decorated with flowers and
evergreens. The pillars and galleries, with the
altar and ark were all decked with wreaths and
festoons OF beautiful flowers, upon which the light
from the candles around the altar and before the
ark shed mellow and softening light. The In
terror or the synagogue forms perfect square, with
the exception OF the ceiling, which dome and Is
painted IN light and agreeable colors In front Of
the entrance TO the synagogue proper Is
THE ALTAR,
standing nearly In the centre of the building. IL
Is made OF black walnut with railing OF the same
wood, and Is raised some feet above the ground.
The reading desk is draped IN rich brocaded satin.
In front Of the altar IL the ark which forms The most
prominent feature OF the Interior Before 1t four
large candies. Four red marble pillars two on each
siae support an arch in the centre OF which the
Ten commandments on marble. The bases OF the
pillars are square and are OF green marble. Between
the pillars are sliding doors or black walnut wood
which, when thrown open, display the interior OF
the ark, which contains the books OF the law writ
ten upon scrolls of SILK ana MORE antique of difer
ent colors. Before the ark hangs the 'perpetual,
lamp, made OF an oriental pattern. There are two gal
lerles TO this temple The first Is the In which the
fair ones sit, "the observed Of all observers.n It
runs round three sides or the structure ana was
Tiled yesterday with
GALAXY OF BRIGHT STARS,
arrayed In the newest modes. Above this gallery is
smaller one taking up but one side OF the build
Ing and Is used by the choir, which is composed en-
tirey OF male voices there being nine boys and thIr
teen adults. The choir Is well trained and is under
the able leadership OF Mr. siberberg The tenor is
Mr.. Beunum. who evidence n havi
wen cultured in his fine solo, the air OF which
was taken from the opera of "LEclair" The basso is
Mr.. Helnemann. The synagogue under the gov
ernment OF five trustees OF which Mr.. A. II. b. Mo.
ses Is fresident Judge CardozO Vice President and
Messrs Daniel Benriin0 Jonas Phillips and Mr.
Gratz Nathan 1.-THE Assistant Corporation Attorney
the associates. The Treasurer is Mr. Alfred Tobias
and the Secretary is Mr.. Isaac Phillips. The
men as matter OF course tand custom as0) sitting
down stairs where they could obtain an excellent
view OF the fair utering doves In the gallery above
while they were inwardy murmuring@the rogues2
though outwaldy their cOuntenances bore the most
severe and devout aspect-"ThOu art near and
yet 80 faro The ladies in return TOR being so iso.
lated from the 'sterner sex'' looked provOkingly
pretty and displayed their charms to the best ad-
Coquertish erntgr4 bonnets danced tantazingly be.
fore the eyes OF the young dandies In ame colored
Kids preventing that serious attention which 1t Is
considered 80 necessary TO show outwardly no
matter how far away the thoughts may be, to reli.
gious, services. One young Apollo who had
for the space OF one consecutive hour been
gazing with ''al his soul In his eyes" wide
the latest yellow covered, &c.) upon fascinating
BELLE who had been looking glanaushingly sweet ever
since her entfee got up in agony which 1t was
impossible for him to repress. and hastily whispered
to a companion that he 'cOuld not stand II any
longer-he must CO." And he did 60 much TO the
vexatton OF the aforementioned belle. AS
THE SERVICE
was not IN English a stranger would have been un-
able to interpret It, 1t was, however, the one usually
performed at Pentecost, and consisted OF monOto-
nous chant by the minister, with frequent responses
by the choir and congregation. The books OF the
law were sung rather than read. Every gentle
man had "talatt," as 1t Is called, thrown
around his shoulders This, with the custom of
wearing The hat IN church, gave them q
somewhat singular and odd appearance. The
shawl part, though had rather graceful
effect. The "talatt' is a white silk shawl with O
blue border, which the gentlemen are requested to
wear out OF Difference TO tradition Altogether the
services were very Interesting and in certain parts
impressive. Among the prominent citizens who at
tend this synagogue are MIR. Benjamin Nathan, DR..
Gomez, DIR. Blumenthal, Judge J0achimsen, ]. s.
ADecasls, Mr.. Joshua Hendricks, Mr.. s. DE Cordova
brother of the popular lecturer OF that name; Mr..
Isaac Hendricks, Mr.. Abraham Cardozo, brother of
Judge Card0z0; Mr.. Henry 8. Allen, Mr.. Il. b. Hart
who Is one OF the commissioners of OF Emil
grafton and Alderman elect; Mr.. Joshua Phillips,
Secretary to the Board OF Public Correction and
Charities Major D. s. Hart chief clerk to the Mayor
Mr.. julius J. Lyons, J. Soils Ritterpand Mr. Alfred
Lyons anu Mr MeudeZ Nathan,