National Republican., 1877-08-29
THE HEBREW TEMPLE.
ITS REDEDICATYoN By THE WASH
INGTON CONGREGATION.

DEsCHIFTfON OF THE IMPROVEMENTS-PkO
oRANME OF THE ExERcIsEs-INTERBsTITa
"REMINISCENCES OF THE oReAsIzATIoS OF
THE coNGRRaATroS-wHYT THE HEBREWS
PRAYED FOR SENATOR cAss.
The Temple Of the Washington Hebrew
Congregation having undergone extensive re-
pairs, will be reopencd for divine services on
Friday evening, 3lst instant, corresponding
with the Hebrew month Elul, rs, 1897. II Is
customary with our Israeltish brethren that
the reoccupation Of place Of worship is an
occasion Of especial joy, and the ceremonies on
| next Friday evening will be beautiful and ex-
ceedingly interesting The congregation has
politely rendered invitations to many Of our
prominent citizens, most Of whom, II is under
stood, will be present. Among the invited
guests are the President Of tho United States
and Cabinet the District Commissioners, the
judges of the District Court, 7. j. Dumnt, G.
| +. Stansbury DIR. J, p. Newman, John T. Nit
chell, A. q. Riddle, DIR. Rankin, &c. The build
ing Is situated on Eighth street northwest, be-
tween II and |, and was originally the property
Of the NJ. Il. Church South, and not Of the
Baptist denomination, as enormously stated In
| many Of our contemporaries. When the war
| broke out the building was taken by the
United States and used for hospital, but was
finally yielded up to the Jewish people when
it became known that they had purchased II
| for q synagogue.
by Rev. Isaac Lesser, OF Philadelphia. This
was about fifteen years ago. In June last the
| congregation resolved upon complete renova-
| tion, and engaged G. A. Diddcn, the we'll
known architect, to draw the plans and speci-
fications and superintend the entire work,
which, now that it draws near completion,
gives great satisfaction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The east front, with due consideration for
1 l.. - L II -. l.
the Moorish style Of architecture. It consists
mainly Of a risalit surnounted by a gable
bearing upon II the two tablets, emblematic Of
| the Ten Commandments. Upon the summit
Of the gable is the Mogin Dorid, or Shield of
David, consisting Of two interlaid triangles
making siN-pointcd star. This ornament is
richly cnamcled and FURNISHED in gold.
Strong piasters support q crown moulding and
panelcd balustradc dividing the front into
three fields, the centre one receiving Moorish
arch thrown over the main entrance, above
which Is a star-like rosette, inclosed in an
elaborate interlaced and mitered border or
/ frame work.
The two side fields receive tho large old
windows, which have had new caps, in accord
auce with the general style Of architecture.
The extreme ends of the front are fanked
with imposing minarets starting from the
foundation, which adds strength and solidity
to the whole building. The whole upper
structure is supported bya heavy base wall,
pierced with single opening for the main en-.
trance, which has been widened The en-
trance doors are recessed In a vestibule, so as
to enable them to open outwards Besides
this main entrance there arc four more places
of entrance and exit, two situated on either
side Of the building. The staircase has been
located in a new and substantial structure
erected at the rear of the building, and is ap-
preached through commodiOus vestibulc,
lighted with circular staincd-glass window.
Tho stairways are large and comfortable and
easy of ascent, terminating in lofty and
well-lighted hall leading into the main audi
torium. This room has been very beautifully
decorated According to Jewish custom, the
ark or sanctuary, Oron Kodesh, is situated
In the east.
The ark Is in pure Corinthian style, treated
In white and gold. The Ner Tomid, or per-
petual light is in the front, and will be lit by
the ministers, never to be Intentionally extin-
guished, on Friday evening. Tho Ark is
typical Of the Holy of Holes, and will contain
will be deposited therein with great solemnity
by the officers Of the Congregation who have
them In charge. The readers desk Is in front
Of the Ark, consisting of q Shulchan, covered
with rich crimson velvet trimmed with gold
bullion fringe and tassels A massive four
lighted candelabra is placed on each side of the
platform. The transverse gallery at the west
side of the auditorium has been cut away, and
In its place raised dais has becn erected to
receive splendid new organ from the manu-
factory Of Cook & Hastings, of Boston, and to
accommodate the choir. Rich frescoing and
new gas fixtures complete the interior decora-
tions. The Congregation commenced as a
Minyan Ia preliminary organization of ten
worshipers) in the First ward, and subse-
quently removed to temporary building on
Fourth street opposite judiciary square; from
there another move was made TO q building
south Of Pennsylvania avenue, which was used
until the present site was secured.
II Is remarkable that when this congrega.
, ton first organized the discovery was made
that they could not receive n conveyance Of
real estate, as the law Of Congress- as it then
stood, only permitted Christian congregations
to hold title TO real property. As soon Us this
fact was discovered Hon Lewis Cass, then
Senator from Michigan, brought an enabling
bill into the Senate, and expressed the utmost
surprise and disgust at tho necessity Of having
to invoke any such legislation. Remembering
the prompt action of tho Senator and his gene
! raj kinducss towards people Of all dcnominn,
. tions, when he afterwards injured himself II
l ascending the steps of the Patent Office, tn,
Q records of the congregation show that specia
r recovery. Many distinguished Hebrew divine.
4 have preached in the old building, anon,
whom can DO named Rev. DIR. Isaac Lesser, o
Philadelphia; Rev. Drs. Hochheimer and Sold
of Baltimore. Rev. Drs. Wise and Lilienthal
of Cincinnati; Rcv. DIR. Kleeberg, of Louis
: Vile; Drs f. NJ. Browne, Tintner, DIR. Jastrow
z of Philadelphia, &C., &c.
: All the Jewish charitable associations nee
Q in the vestry rooms and here originated tn,
contributions to the Chicago fire, subscription
q to the yellow fever sufferers in Memphis an,
G Shreveport and all the great movements I.
E relieve the Jewish poor of the city, whicl
/ required last year more than usual labor. Tn
!. Jewish Relief Society has already prepared 70
n winter work. and set an example to othe
:. denominations. In such matters the IsraclitC
d always take time by the forelock, their objet
= being to prevent pauperism. Independent {
q the wisdom of this course its economy is onl
e exceeded by its humanity, The Jewish Relic
y Society takes u complete and careful censu
e of their poor brethren In this city and Georg,
Il town, aud guarantee to them necessary SUI
ply of wood, coal and -four for which no pay
ment is exacted unless the recipients are abb
to reimburse the committee, and this is lef
to the absolute will and inclination of tn
ID benefciares.
Or THE OBLIGATORY SERVICES.
lc The following programme has been arrange
ID for thc dpl icatory services next Friday eyenin