The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-17
THE HEBREW FAITH.
CONTROVERSY IN SYNAGOGUE Arour rur FORM


CONTROVERSY IN SYNAGOGUE ABOUT THE FORM
OF WORSHIP.
Tne Hebrew congregation OF Bna JeshuruA
have been in a state OF ferment for the past two
years on account OF difference OF opinion be-
tween tne members in regard to certain ehanGed
in the form or worship. Bnai Jeshurun Is the
Oldest Jewish congregation in New York city, have
ing been founded ABOUT forty years ago. Tne drsi
synagogue was Ia Elm street, where worship IN
accordance win ancient Jewish forms was carried
on for several yea 8. The edi1ce proving too
small the congregation removed TO Broadway, and
aiterward TO Greene street. subsequently,
tne Greene street property was sold ana
the proceeds devoted to the purchase
Of the present synagogue in West Thirty
fourth streer, between seventh avenue
and Broadway. For nearly nine months, how<
ever, the congregation have been without a
regular Rabbi. The last one, Rabbi Vidaver, was
agreat re ormer and dissenstons arising among
his mock be resigned MS charge in New York amt
Went 20 san Francisco, where he accepted carl
nom the Reformed Jewish church in tnat CITY,
The membership OF Bnat Jeshurun for the past two
years has been growing smaller by degrees, the
progressive element leeing that bind ad-
herence TO un1mportant forms and customs, whicn
were antagonistlc 90 the spirit OF Inc age was CAL
culateo TO ret2rd the growth and fare OF the
congregation. Tley argued that certain KINDS OK
lnstl umental music were an aid 70 devotion, anu
that the custom of separating the husband rom
MS wife or the brother from mis- sister while In the
trary. on the other hand. the conservative ele-
menr claimed that innovations were dangerouss
that the safest plan was TO preserve the forms
which had been handed down to them from past
ages. They were good enough for their fathers,
consequently they must be good enough Tor them.
These forms were observed by orthodox Jews the
world over: and, turtle rmore, that 70 permit tho
proposed socalled 'ref0rmsn was contrary tn
the spirit and letter of the constitution adopteh
at the founding OF the congregation over iorty
years ago. Inc controversy grew 10 sum ulmen-
ened that about two months ago the Board ot
Trustees appointed two committees representing
prepare reports. subsequently the following no.
tce was issued, which explains ITSELF
CONGREGATION JKsHuEus
NEW YoaK May It'll, ls7a
sis-You are requested to attend general nees,ng %
fourth street on sunday May 10th INST at hlltpass
m ed or adoption by SSn % mr. so
ducton Of organ anu the alteration o. seats INFO
connection with said PROPOSED plan The following
HSf C shane Of y ay Kind
esssshed BY this eonspegatoS Except UPON %
gregatonal meeting specially convened that
BY order Of the Board E. DE YOUNG, secretary
THE MEETING YESTERDAY.
When the meeting was called TO order, whctr
was shortly after The hour appointed, toe syna-
gogue chamber was crowded TO excess with the
1 wealthy and influential members OF the congrega-
ZION. No representatives OF the press were per-
mitted to be present, and It was understood That
\ as it was "lamy quarreln the members were
pledged 10 the utmost secrecy. Mr.. n. stras-
burger occupied the chair. ana an excited discus
i sion, which lasted rom natpaSt Two until seven
r. NJ. was at once inaugurated. The report OF the
\ conservatives" which did not differ 10 any ma
\ terlal respect from the outline given above, was
\ first presented. The report OF the progressiveS
showed the following facts:-
The present number OF members 2ls, Tho
value OF seap released BY members in good standing
Ma so s. 10 seats at SIS soe ladies
set Is @ lcss tnStaInents Snpsid nece6er isg
s542s; amount due members Sl9772 The present
preacher amount about $500. should the sy.
feaiSe say $1,000 rom which deduct amount due
present sea. owners about ssOo' r Thien wlt
we groposes snead oe invested a. ,ns,ng ns
eoSs ne sS earSener work samtns ana remss
ing ana Covering cushions viii not exceed S. 200 cost
Of new srsan $1,000, iotel cost OF alterations, 7ueL
range IN price from sac 10 81 $50 each or from So IT,
Highest Bidder the amount realized pre- enetioas
Se Pc eos. u: 81 the PROPOSED UwnSTs S
seats % receive scrip or due bills Tor The amouns
not included which scrip due bills viii be received
such seats the holder choose purchase
Of ses n enns Rs q soS wa
I and We ne hs no s9
separate classes according 20 valuation each member
Ssd aefbong ~ s is o pswbeS ~
n nsI' NAV Sarchase IN any single pew TnIs pre
posed membership tax estimating the whole number
Gers dTst class. al $50 per snnlm 100; s. MEMBER
II
class, AT So annum Sl2N Total s74lL Add TO THIS
cent interest $4,000 surplus fund from
" pews sav rent q temporary seats During holidays.
I main q deficiency OF $500 Total Sl9O)0 make
this deficiency propose to levy pro rat Assessment
Il ON the valuation OF the pcws seats purchased bv
members follows or two seats, the ful assessment
their valuation and Tor all seats exceeding two
number In single pew. onchalf the
valuation OF The additional seats IA such purchased
u member. Thus ~upp0sing the vau tti0n 81 a pew
be $1,000 the Will assessment valua-
ton Of two OF &Ao and one half on s60D, SsQus
total 500 equal 20 sevenenths OF the valuation "
the entire Assuming tnat nity per cent u the
tire number OF seats purchased Will be sub
icct PRO rata assessment pf one hair
only this will leave subject " full assessments
Sf5Dl subject to haif assessment 509. equal -
will realize 7J1 than sufficient QulTed u make
IN difference required TO defray tie current
penses the alton IL also sted that
new article he added % the bylaws read - fol-
lows lit shall be lawful make adopt
tner alterations changes Of kind nature what
soeser the ritual mode OF synagogue worship
tAbsned by this congregation except NJ ~
al lhrce-ourths the members AZ
grcgau0nal meeting specially convened Tor that par-
pose
II was agreed that both reports should be voted
npon together aud when the roll was called II was
found that there were "a in favor OF adnering 70
the ancient customs, while 60 votes were cast IN
favor OF the proposed reforms Amid great excite
ment, however, several votes on both sides were
challenged, but when the dual vote was raKen the
a1oye result was not materially changed.