The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-19
THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER
IN JEWISH SrNtGOGUES IND ~ THE
IIFIH 4 gJ;NUE TEMPLE
Rabbi Gotthcti, the Heforincr. In his Pulpit
Ills People and their Worship The Cor
reous Tcntpic-1he Unii"rmity or its Cruz
cirnrtnlty Who were Present How the
Hnbbi TnIks-IIis Peculiar Gcstures.

,yni was celebrated in Joyful manner IN New |
York yesterday. Perhaps II more impressive |
scrvic, was never observed in the magnificent |
tcmplo in Fifth avenue than that of this occa-
SION when. led by the suavc and courtly banker. !
Lewis May. u great congregation OF Hebrews !
nilrl the gorgeous auditorium. and stood un- !
covered in the presence OF their Maker. while !
lis servant Gotthcil declared to them the law.
Among tho Reformed Jews Rabbi Gotthcil is
prcGmncn lie wears no bands. arrays him
self in no gown; he seats his people in family
pcws. men. women. and children side by sidc
no pridcs himself on intelligent observance Of
tho spirit OF the Inv. yet adhcros with tenacty
10 such rcvcrcnt formulas and symbols Hs secm
to him potent in tho education and progression
Of his charge. lie has Il biz head and rromi-
mont nose.
Many years ago Rabbi Gottheil was lending
spirit among the Reform Jews in England. but
yearning for n larger field with greater liberty.
he came to New York. made his mark. gathered
his pcoplc about him. and to-day breaches in
the most beautiful jewish temple in Christcn-
dom, draws 10000 year salary. pays s6OOO
yonr for the best church music in the city. and
ranks with our foremost thinkers. writer's. and
teachers.
Yesterday rs DR.. Gotthcil sat in an arm chair
on the broad platform between the sumptuous
decorations OF the Ark and the elegant carvings
OF the desk. he looked more like Il student
careless Of dress. pose. and manner than any
thing else. When he stood up book in hand.
and followed the admirable reading and melo-
dious chanting Of Mr.. 4. Rubin. the reader his
short. sturdy body safely poised on two stuNby
legs swaycd from side to side But later on.
when. in tho heat OF defamation. he sank the
man in the rabbi his eyes flashed. his large nose
doomed out like u beacon ON II rock. his large.
we-cut mouth sent out carefully chosen sem
tences and he looked precisely as II he was
conscious of the fact that knowledge is power.
and that he knew 1t all. In Tact. sell assertion.
rabbi IL aggressive. He intends TO force his
hearers by the cogency OF logic, and is impatient
Looking from his easy chair, Or peerinE over
the sacred rolls. he can see the hold, strong.
wcll-mnrkcd faces Of men of note and women
May ' Of the bank q May 4 King Being Presi-
dent OF the congregation. he also sits on the
platform. This Is not an ancient custom. ana IA
done very little outside Of the United States
man likes To play at President IL is considered
nm honor. and therefore INDUCED; Simon
Sternc. lhs frequent pampheteer is also one OF
and hotel celebrities attend the services ~ the
temple .EX-Judge Dittenhocfer, counsel OF
shook < Palmer, representative Of an lnierna-
tonal theatrical copyright. and friend OF the
Ale and Brewers Association. il one OF the most
d'yout. Joseph and Philip Stiner Jacoh Gold
smith, known wherever oil is known. the Worm
ser Brothers. once successful tailors IN sac
rameno now fortunate bankers here, the Adj
lers, the Beruhemers and many other import
ers bankers and mcrchnnts. form nucleus Of
wealth and social strength not surpassed IN any
Encouraged by these men. Rabbi Gottheil
won't on ~ his career OF reform preachlns a.,
English to the rising generation. until their
boundaries became too small. and the present
temple was put ny;
And such a templel 80 =,
All that the cunning art OF the designer could
suggest the liberal hand OF capital provided.
The cdifce IL an ornament TO the city and the
pride OF tho avenue in which II stands. first
One OF the chief features OF its interior is the
uniformity Of its cruciformity;, The temple, t.
gorgeous Persian carpet which covers its pulpit
literally blossoms with crosses. About the tes-
with crosses. over th~ windows al the side arc
series Of paralleograms fashioned into crosses.
Facing the congregation stands broad. wide
platform. in the front centre Of which is n desk
Tor the reader aud the rabbi few feet "a the
lett. and back. sits the President. few feet 70
the right, and back, are two chairs Tor the RABBI
and the reader. In the rear centre two sliding
aside. reveal n sumptuously decorated and up
holstered interior brilliantly illumined 10y gaS
sts within huge SWINGING lamp W"n ,S o, HmI
end Of the ediiice. extending nearly from side
10 side is "A magnificent organ. Whose ornate
facade is Ill Introduction 10 the beauty and
power and sweetness OF lie tone.
The rabbi intends to keep the young people
He provides them with comfortable pews
wnere they SIT together, unlike the worshlppers
In other temples. lie furnishes a choir such as
Is not surpassed by any IN the city. LED py
Nine. r4uIltseh. pure soprano Of rare dell;
cacy and wonderful power, the choir sings and
chants delightfully."- while Mr.. A. j. Davis mas
tors his instrument absolutely.
But these eNtcrnas are not all that make the
temple attractive.
Tl.se might answer for season. but could
moi suffice 10 Keep IN" great templr nleu WIN
sirons-la'cd men ana beautiful women, whose
clUlrrn. Us like their parents IN nina ana
heart rs IN eye and features ilnd their sabbath
loa,uIi', tu"re rather than elsewhere.
!Rr rabbi gives them meat 10 eat. and he
makes il palataDle by the spices Of progress, OF
s'i'nce. and Of Intelligent compliance Win lhe
Yesterday he naturally preached concerning
tr Passover. and explained why, when other
od-tme ccremonials are being dropped out OF
usage by Intelligent Jews, thls should be pre-
served. and especially observed.
The rabbls English is very pure for one who
Germnn. HIS manner Is blur free. and easy
hut pleasant winning, in fact HIS chief ges-
ture consists IN laying the lore finger OF ms
hand alongside his nose. and when ne makes u
particularly good point he keeps II there while
MS eyes twinkle as II he would say Don t}ou
At times he drops his body down. by throwing
out his knees SO that the top OF his well covered
head Is barely visible above the desk. lie keeps
suddenly puts Ills nngcr ON his nose. anditwh-
He speaks with deliberation. and in the course
OF an address three quarters OF an hour long,
but one mlSuse-hnd That exceedingly technical
was observed. He mover hcsitates for WORD,
hhu mover indicates the least embarrassmcht vi
any kind,
His arrangement OF critics hostile to the jew
cent tribute 10 the open-handed, generous
hearted, hospitabe people over whom he pre-
sides. Jews are not found begging. Jews are
mol seen Keeling IN the streets. jews do not Ill
q4lI Ias, jews do not support our gin mills.
Put Jews. and especially Rabbi Gotthels Jews,
duru.rman Jews. lead the van OF progress, ana
eolh fortunes every year glance over MS
CONGREGATION shows that his people are German
ypWs anu their descendants strange to say,
,.lpy are the advance guard Of reform IN Judt-
isH' ,WllIe the old American and Anglo -Ameri-
can jews are the conservatives.
The rabbi was in n specially ioyial mood
ourlhg The festival. He enjoyed the triumphant
ahlnem, and, when the movement WAS not too
Intricate. kept time with his large but not UNI
ehhpeiy lotl. When one OF the sheets OF ms
sermon took 10 itself wings and flew away, Ike
ulr dove from tie ARK ot Noah, he shared the
amused smile that ripped over the iull lips ana
h!Ihklru the noses Oi ms flock
lnr lrasl OF the anb, ~ enjoyed by the bulls
all brats IN the Temple Emanuel. was an un'
qualified Success
Al Us close Tho elders and chief men ap'
preached the platform, and the rabbi shOu
diaHds with them all. Young women nnd oll
p.l lNe same, exchanging with nm wishes 81
n"llhess and prosperity, HIS perorWion Wa.
laIr'ularly and touehingly happy. Aver con-