The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-22
REV. DIR. BENJAMIN ARToM, CHIEF RABBI OF
THE BRITISH sEpHARDIsI.

REV. DR. BENJAMIN ARroM, CHIEF RABBI OF
THE BRITISH sEpHARDIL
Rev. DR.. benjamin Artom, the Chief Rabbi (Haham)
of the Sephardim or Spanish and Portuguese
Hebrews of the United Kingdom died suddenly at
Brighton the morning of the 9th inst probably
from exhaustion consequent upon fasting the whole
Of the previous day in commemoration Of the Begin
ming of the siege Of Jerusalem by acknowledgements
doth Tebcth). After breaking his fast Sunday
night he was attacked by angina pectoris. of which
he died at two A. IA. Monday. Rabbi Artom
born at Genoa, Italy, in 1884. and was kinsman Of
the Chevaer Artom who secretary to Count
Cavour and Senator of the Italian Kingdom. He
received his theological education at Padua under
the celebrated Hebrew scholar s. D. Luzxato He
ocated for several years minister Of the Jewish
congregation at Naples. Some twelve years ago the
we'll known philanthropist Miss Anna Maria Gold
smid while travelling IN Italy, heard him preach.
and was impressed by his eloquence and strong
personal magnetism that she sought an introduction
to him. and on her return to London spoke OF him
in high terms fit person to FIJI the position Of
Haham or Chacham. This position had then been
vacant for forty years. since the death OF DR..
Meldola. the Spanish and Portuguese Jews being at
loss to find suitable for the Office. On Miss
Godsmd's recommendation to Sir Moses Mon
tcforc, the most eminent Jew in the COM
munity. DR.. Artom invited to go
to London. He went, and after short
stay was elected life the Office so long vacant
When first elected he could speak no English, and
his sermons delivered in French. He soon
mastered tho English tongue, however. and his
ministratons in the Bevis Marks Synagogue and in
the branch OH Bryanstone street effected something
OF revival among the Spanish and Portuguese
jews. His sermons were of the most eloquent aud
impassioned character and their effect greatly
heightened by the preachers splendid physique. DR..
Artom was very tall. broad-shouldercd. with now-
ing brown beard large and lustrous brown eyes and
q voice of peculiar sweetness and persuasivcness In
the pulpit black silk robe trimmed with
ground of purple satin. HIS appearance and his
bearing made him for time u lion in Anglo-Jewish
circles Though an orthodox Jew, Dr. Artom was was
election Office to abolish the position Of body
servant which up to that time had been inyarabe.
albeit useless. appendage of the Office. He abolished
the wearing OF uniforms in the Portuguese Jewish
charity schools. He reorganized the schools of his
community and introduced several new features, in
Guiding the study of music ana French.
DIR. Artom was most popular man in London. Ho
DR.. Nathan Marcus Adler the chief rabbY Of the
German jews and the Rev. Professor Marks, the
chief munster of the reform Jews, both of whom
assisted ut his funeral At time il hoped that
when the position filled by DIR. Adler should be-
come vacant the two communicable the Spanish
united under DR.. Artoms rabbinatc. Had
he lived this result might have boon achieved DR..
Artom accustomed TO illustrate his discourses
! with parallels from the Tanlud. volume of his
sermons printed at the wish OF his synagogue.
Three years ago he married lady Of the family Of
the eminent Parsec merchant. Sir Albert Sassoon,
but left no children His funeral took place the
Sth inst. in the famous old Portuguese synagogue
in Bcvs Marks London, where he had long minis
tered. He buried in the Mile End Cemetery. DIR.
N NJ. Adler. Chief Rabbi Of the United Congregations
Ashkcnazrl) of the British Empire, pronouncing the
funeral discourse. Nearly every distinguished jew
of London present.
REV. RICHARD Low, IL. D., SCOTTISH EDUCATOR.
DIR. Richard Low, late head master of the Dundee
High School, died at Home Lodge. Broughty Ferry,
on the 4th inst, In the eighty-third year OF his
age. He was born at Dundee In 1913. was intended
for the Church of Scotland, educated at the old
Grammar school at Dundee. and graduated both in
arts and theology at the United college. 81. Andrews