National Republican., 1876-06-12
SYNAGOGUE OF ADAs ISRAEL.
Dedication Of the New Tsmple-Imprsssivs
Ceremonies,


The newly Effected synagogue Of the Adas Israel
congregation at the corner Of Sixth and q streets
northwest vas on Frilay afternoon consecrated
to its holy purpose by the solemn and ancient
Jewish rites The ceremonies, occurring on the
eve Of the Jewish Sabbath, were very impressive.
The synagogue is a neat brick ediiee, built AFTER
the manner of most synagogues, with two floors,
the auditorium being in the second story. In the
gable is inserted a marble slab bearing the
Hebrew inscription, "Adas Israel" and beneath
it the words, Erected, $685."
No service similar to that Of yesterday was ever
,b IN TINS ms i ely Tes rpns Tbs wash
ington Hebrew congregation dedicated their
ing is so small that 1t was necessary TO limit the
Spectators to invited guests.
AMONG THE GUESTS
were President Grant and Ulysses s. Grant, IT.,
Senator Ferry, Rev. John p. Newman, Rev. L.
Peter Campbell, Hon. Simon Wolf Mr. Joseph
Williams, the builder: Major Behle and other
prominent citizens. The synagogue had been
beautifully decked and festOOned with flowers.
Directly over the entrance of the tabernacle was
q semi-circle of Hebrew letters, worked in ever
beautiful are thy tents, Jacob; thy tabernacles,
y Israel"
THE CEREMONIES
were conducted by Rev. George Jacobs, of the
Beth ii Emeth congregation of philadelphia,
who acted us minister, and Rev. NJ. Janover, OF
New York About I:2O O'Clock the congregation
was called to order by Mr.. John Boyer, president.
Mr.. S. Goldstein, chairman of the building CON-
mittee advanced to the altar, and, with short
address, presented the keys Of the synagogue TO
President Boyer.
MI. Boyer responded by returning to the COM
mittee the thanks Of the congregation for the able
manner in which they had discharged their duties
and said that although the building was small,
yet they had much to be proud Of as it wa the
hrst synagogue in the city erected by 1sraelites
In conclusion, he invoked upon all who had aided
in it's erection the blessing Of the God Of Israel.
The minister, Rev. Mr.. Jacobs, enveloped in
table robe, and wearing black cap, was then
conducted dOwE the aisle to the vestry by Mr.
Jacob Rich. accompanied by Rev l. Stern, and
Messrs. Wolf, BlOut, Peyser, HartOng, Dannen-
berg, Solomons, Benjamin and Levy, all wearing
broad white scaris over their shoulders. When
the procession returned from the vestry the mn-
lister
KNOCKED LOUDLY
on the door Of the synagogue and exclaimed in
Hebrew, "Open unto us the gates of righteous
ness, the gates Of prayer, that We may enter
through them and offer our homage to God"
The chaEan, Rev. Mr. hanover attired the same
preaching the door, exclaimed in Hebrew: This
is the gate of the Lord; the righteous enter there
in. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts
with praise: give thanks unto him and bless his
name" The door was then opened by the presi-
dent Of the congregation and the chazan aud con-
grcgatiOn joined in a chant Of praise, The minis
ter, with those who had accompanied him, entered
the church in a procession, each bearing the
SCROLLS OF THE LAW.
One of their number bore two lighted tapers. The
slowly up the aisle, occasionally pausing, the
chsZ chanting all the time. When the bearers
of the scrolls approached the ark the curtain was
drawn aside, and the perpetual lamp was dis
closed. The lamp was lighted, and the chaZan
led the congregation in a Hebrew chant.
Rev. Jacobs then offered prayer. The bearers
of the scrolls then began the seven circuits of the
synagogue, which were completed while Psalms
or David, in Hebrew. were chanted. The scrolls
were
DEPOSITED IN THE ARK,
nd rtafO Ovar 10 on
Rev. Jacobs then recited the following words
And when the ark rested he said restore tran
qullity TO the many thousands Of Israel. Arise,
o Lord unto thy resting place, thou and the ark
Of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with
righteousness, and let thy saints shout for joy.
For thy servant David's sake turn net away the
face Of thy anointed. For a good instruction 1
have given YOU forsake ye not my law. 1t is
supporters thereof are happy. Its ways are ways
Of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.
Cause thou us, o Lord! to return unto thee, and
We will return; renew our days as of old"
The minister, Rev. George Jacobs, then pro-
ceeded with
THE SERMON.
He is an eloquent man, and one OF nne presence.
Afeer invoking the blessing of peace upon the
congregation, he described eloquentiy the dream
OF the patriarch Jacob when fleeing from home,
and all the associations that bound him to his
parental roof; when he beheld the wonderful
providence of God represented by the ladder and
his ministerlng angels going up and coming down,
>
grace of God. when he woke up with his heart
flled with the vision, he exclaimed, "this is none
other than the house OF God and this the gates Of
heaven" By this it was shown what really con-
stituted the house of God Now, that they beheld
the fruitOn of their abors, It we'll to consider
how so to establish this place. as to make it in
truth and sincerity the house ofGod. The speaker
then developed the fact that in any place where
they caused his name to be truly remembered
GOD WOULD COME.
He spoke of the influence the code OF Israel had
exerted upon the world, and said that to imagine
the universe without the code OF Israel was to
call up barbarsm. The divine law on which their
religion rested commended itself to the human
heart; It was unaltersble, irrevoca0le, everlast-
ing. He spoke Of the light that had been given
to the world. and Of the hand that had guided
Israel through all the ages. Their sanctuary
should be, he said, house Of instruction.; words
of God must also be house of prayer, by that all
WAS attained. 1t was the wonderful bridge that
spapned the river of time and landed them in
eternity. Prayer was that mighty power by
which the soul Of man essayed to soar above the
earth into celestial light. Prayer not only on
indisputBble duty, but blessed privilege, a boon
Of priceless mercy. In conclusion he eXorted them
to let oblation be laid upon the altar which
had the slightest stain or hlemish. Their worship
to have proper effect should be spiritual, intel
lectu and devotional He concluded deyoutly
praising God. and hen offered a feryent prayer.
The conservation exercises were concluded by
singing Hebrew hymn.
The regular Sabbath evening services were
then commenced.