Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-10
SHU'BUOTH.
The Great Jewish HOliday-The Feast
Of Weeks-serYices at the syna-
gOgues Yesterday,
Combinations by ReVs, Rabbi Samield
and Rabbi Sarner-IDterestiDg
Ceremonies.

the world, celebrated Sh'buOth, or Feast
Of Weeks, in cOmmemOTatiOn OF the de-
livery to Moses OF the ten command
ments on Mount Sinai, Among the an
cient Jews this was also set apart as
national thanksgiving, as it was the sea-
son of harvest in Palestine, for which
reason especially the festival was also
called Pentecost, meaning the tiftieth
day, it being exactly fifty days from the
first day Of Pessch, or passover, on
which day an offering Of barley was
brought into the temple Of Jerusalem;
hence it is called feast OF Weeks, ''as it
will be seen that it is exactly seven
weeks from PeSach, which is considered
the commencement Of the religious year
among the Jews. The modern Jews
have set apart .SH6uOth for the rite Of
confirmation of Jewish children in their
faith. Formerly other festivals were Sc
lected for this purpose, but it was
deemed appropriate to perform the cere-
monies on the day which commence
rates the reception Of all fundamental
laws their forefathers received from
their God through the hands of Moses.
Thus, as it were, the children are also
initiated to the duties of Israelites. Here
in Memphis the two congregations cele-
brated the day by holding services in
their respective synagOgues, with all the
beautiful and appropriate ceremonies
prescribed by the Jewish ritual, which
are of q most impressive character. The
temple Of the
CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL,
at the corner Of Main and Exchange
streets, was beautifully and artistically
decorated with bouquets and garlands Of
flowers, which, with their many varie-
gated hues and soft OdOrs, seemed APP
propriate to the occasion, and at once
conveyed wonderful sense of grandeur
and sanctity to the spectator. The edi-
fee was filled to OVERLOOKING, and among
the deyOtees could be seen many of our
most prominent and esteemed citizens
with their families. On the entering Of
the rabbi, Rev. DR.. NJ. Ssmfeld, the Or
gan played a soft, sweet melody, we'll
calculated to inspire the hearts OF the
wOrshippers, and as soon as the reverend
rabbi in flowing robes of black had as
cended the altar, the usual morning ser.
vices for the festival began by the recit-
ing and chanting of prayers in Hebrew,
interspersed with beautiful music by the
invisible choir. The music by the choir,
which was under the leadership of Prof.
G.. 2. Winkler, deserves particular men,
ton by reason of its great beauty and
artistic merit, and also for the correct,
conscientious manner in which il was
rendered. The programme OF the eXer-
cises was necessarily lengthy one, but
WAS carried out to the letter. By far
the greater portion of the music is either
of Prof. Winkler's own composition or
of his arrangement, and little, if any
thing was sung which did not exhibit his
superiOrskill as an accomplished musical
leader. Messrs. II. 7. TOmlinsOn and
Holiday, who had kindly volunteered
their assistance with their fu'e ,iprOved
welcome auxilisries, and lent additional
charm, contributing greatly to the COM
pleteness of the music, The opening
song, "MizmOr TesOdO, " solo, performed
by Miss II. BaTinds, with her clear
voice, is a very fine Hebrew melody,
while the next, min Hametzqr," pre-
coded by "HOdu," and preceded by
"OnO," presented all those rich COM
binatiOns of harmony for which AalWy,
their composer, is so justly celebrated.
Upon the conclusion of the lsSt-named
song, the continuation took place.
While the cOnfirmands, composed Of
six beautiful little girls, dressed in spot
less white, ana two yOuths, proceeded
to the place reserved for them, the "COr-
onation March, from MeyerbeeI's
prophet" was performed by Professor
WinkleT. "Leu ScheOrim,n q favOrite
Hebrew song and chorus, was finely
rendered, with solo by Mrs. a. Moy stOn.
tSh'ma Israel" . song at once express
i've OF the Jewish faith and appealing to
their hearts, was given in fine styles,
70
The various hymns and sentences,
the cOutiTmands seemed tOifit exactly in
their places and were rendered with
spirit aud correctness. Several of them
are exquisite gems, as for instance, "No.
g." but especially "NO. s." Nos. 6
and z" also possess great merit. The
hymn "Let there be light,n was eX-
pressly composed for this occasion, and
afforded great pleasure to those who
heard it. The Mus al KedushO,"
with its alterations from solo to trio
and to chorus is 3 handsome piece OF
music and was eXquisitely rendered,
while the closing song TALON OlOne,"
composed by a former Organist of the
temple, and well known to many OF our
citizens as an accomplished musician,
Professor SchlesingeT, who now resides
in Mobile, finished the exercises very
appropriately, this being ahy fnu said to
be three thousand years old, And in use
in the Jewish temple from time imme-
mortal.
The conirmands performed theirparts
equally well, and their proficiency
speaks volumes for the skill and perse-
verance of the young minister, Rev. DR..
Samfield. Their answers were
given in q very clear and dis.
tinct manner and their prayers
were short and impressive. The follow
ing are the names Of the young Israel
ties who yesterday took upon themselves
the obligations to practice the religion of
their fOrefathers, the essence of which is
embracedsin this one sentence, "Hear,
0 Israel, the Lord thy God, the Lord is
One" Misses Ida SchalsCha, Isabella
Levy, Josephine DTeyfus, Bella Seessel,
Carrie Strauss, Title Frank, and Mas
tiers Phi. Halle and NJ. Cans.
The choir, which is one Of the finest
in the city, is composed of the following
ladies and gentlemen: Mr.. S. Feucht,
chairman; Mrs. A. MOystOn, Misses Ii.
Barinds, L. FrankIand, and X. Harmon,
Miss NJ. Hitzfeld, alto; Mr..
w. H. Guerrant, tenor; MessTs. Refs
and GrOnauer, BASES; Messrs. TOmlin-
son and Holiday, flutes; Professor e. r.
Winkler, Organist and director.
An agreeable surprise awaited Rev.
DR.. Samlield at the conclusion Of the
Just as the WOrshippers had
risen from their seats, and We're about to
Master Pr. Halle stepped from
among the cOnfrmands, and in a neat
little speech presented, in behalf of HIM
self and his fellOw-pupils, to their be-
loved teacher a superb gold watch, in
token Of remembrance of this memora-
bic day. 1t was indeed a complete sur
prise to the rabbi, who had not sntici-
pated anything OF the kind, and it was
some moments before he could respond. !
AS soon, however, as ne had recovered
from his surprise, he thanked the do
GOrs, with his voice full Of emotion, in
short but most eloquent speech.
OF TIE CONGREGATION /
"BETH Ell EMETH."
AT this well known place Of worship /
the ceremonies were equally beautiful |
and impressive. AT the conclusion Of /
the usual service for holidays the rite Of |
was administered to ten |
five boys and five girls. An
immense congregation witnessed this
ceremony, the services being
conducted by Rev. DR.. SaTner, of New |
Ork, who arrived in this city some six
weeks ago and since his arrival has |