Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-22
THE NEW TEMPLE
To be Erected by the Israelites Of
Memphis-C0rner-St0 to be
Laid Sunday.
Sketch Of the Old Synagogue and Con.
neutrality-suspicious. and Re-
union Of the Sects.

h-lorueu Jews, on the southeast corner OF
Main and Exchange streets, is now offered
for sale, the congregation having at last
begun the erection of handsomer and more
com nodious temple on the south aide of
Poplar street, west Of Third. The new
structure is going up rapidly, and the cor
Der-stone will be LAID with impressive cere-
monies next Sunday. Prior to year 1850 the
Hebrews of Memphis were unorganizsd, and
had no place of worship. During that year
q number of the most prominent formed
society for the relief of the poor and needy OF
their nationality, and applied to the
proper authorities for a charter. The
charter was granted four years
after the organization of the society,
with toe following incorporators: J. ]. An
drews, Moses Simous John Walker, ID. Levy,
Julius S ,ndac, +. Folz NJ, Bamberger, NJ.
Bloom, Joseph Strauss and z. Reinach. The
name and style Of the body polite was the
Congregation Children of Israel"
The congregation was assisted in the work
il had in view by the celebrated philanthro-
pist Judah Touro, of New Orleans. He do
mated large Gums Of money al various times
to aid in building synagogues in smaller
cities, and 10 the
MEMPHIS CONGREGATION
be gave $1,000 Soon after the donation was
MADE a lot on Second street WAS purcha sed,
Dun no Dutlulh3 YVES tT6Ctcu. OeINtCcs were
held in = small hall On Main street, but the
congregation grew in numbers so rapidly
that 1t became necessary 20 seek more COM
modious quarters. Ia 1857 a committee ap.
pointed by the congregation conferred with
The owners OF the building on Main and Ex-
| change streets, which for long time was
known as the Merchants and Farmers
Bank. The building was leased, with the
| privilege Of buying whenever the finances of
the congregation would allow them 10 do so.
| Many alterations were made in the building
| to prepare for use place of Worship, aud
| it was formally dedicated in February, 1858.
| The Rev. DR.. Wise, Of Cincinnati, oficiated.
THE PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED
shortly afierward aud has since that time
rem aiUed in the possession of the congrega-
ton. At that lime the Isrseiites of the city
were nearly all orthodox. The services were
conducted by reader who was known as
chaZ IN. The chszan wss also teacher of
school Of religion established BY the congre-
| cation. The chszaus were SUCCESSFULLY J.
! S.ernheimer, II Judah and ]. J. Peres. Be-
| sides the ritual il was the custom for the
| congregation 10 wear their hats during ser
vice, and all OF their prayers were in He
| brew. After a while more liberal ideas
began to prevail in the congregation, who
grew tired of the old forms and became de-
sirous OF securing the services of a minister
who could lecture ia the prev Aiing tongue.
The Rev. S. Tusks, who was we'll qualified
for this position, was elected
RABBI AND LECTURER
on the LIST OF July, 1860. The congregation
continued TO Increase, and in 1865 and 1865
| il was sweled by numerous fresh arrivals
| from the North and East. Most of these were
| fully in sy mpathy with the spirit of reform
Uhinh ya itoalf ha
| GO que, and were strongly in favor OF any in
| telligent improvement in the established
forms Of worship. Family pews were intro
| ducej, aud an rgsn and choir soon had a
| place in the synagogue. An abridged prayer
| book WAS also used By most OF the me n bers
These reforms were viewed with disfavor by
| a number OF the congregation, who still en-
| tertained orthodox views, and they
left the synagogue, forming a new
| congregation with the name Beth Ell
| Emmett. A hall was rented on the corner
of Second and Monroe streets, where the
| services we're carried on according to the old
ritual. Prayers we're said in Hebrew, and
| the worshIpsrs wore their hats without inter
| ruplion.
THE GROWTH OF THE SYNAGOGUE
was not checked, however, by this desertion
| but continued TO flourish ans gain in popu-
| larity. Prof. j. Hale was put in charge of
| an educational institution which was organ
| lied and carried on under the auspices of
| the copgregalio 1t was not exclusive,
Gentiles aud Jews being admitted alike
| The school hourished under Prof. Hale's able
| management but grew 80 expensive at last
| that il had to be discontinued. At this time
| there were about seventy five families en-
brsced in the membership. After ten years
| OF faithful service the Rev. Mr.. Tuska died
universally lamented. The congregation were
without rabbi until July, 1870, abou seven
months, when the Rev. M. Sam6eie, who
was formerly rabbi OF European congrega-
| ton, and at that time rabbi at Shreveport,
L., was selected as the Rev. Mr.. Tuska's
] successor, and be has filed the Office with
| the greatest credit to himself aud his people.
| He did not speak Eug iish very clearly at
| first but has been hsrd and close student,
and now occupies an enviable position as
| logical and eloquent lecturer. His cougre-
| CATION was considerably diminished by the
epidemics, bot survived them all, and is to-
day in splendid condition as 10 numbers and
fnsnces. 10 December OF last year the or
| ihodox congregation, which had been for
| two years without PASTOR, was reunited
with the Reformed church, and has wor-
shipped with them cordially ever since.
| THE NEW SYNAGOGUE
will be in the Moresque style. Two massive
towers grace the front, having an Sof
$50 feet. The frontage of the building will
be 6fy-six feet, by depth of 100 feet The
| approach 10 the entrance will be by a m assive
| flight OF stone steps, leading to a vesribule
| Through stone archway, and into which
the auditorium is reached. The interior ex-
hibits the same style of architecture a, the
exterior, carrying out the same character.
| istics OF form The roof is OF a peculiar form.
| showing It's timoering and intfical. arrange.
ment OF trusting. Al the south end ia the
dais znd ark. Ths ark will be in strict ac-
| cordance with the ritual of the Jewish faith.
| the eternal light in froot, the ark in the
rear, and above the cherubim watching over
| all. Elevated above this aud facing the
congregation viii be, in a rect IS of peculiar
| form, the organ and choir. the com mjttee
propose 10 make this, as it should be, fea-
tura, for they Intend to provide an organ sec-
| opd to no otner IN the city as to voicing and
| capacity. The arrangement Of the choir il
such that its full effect will be given. Be-
nesth the auditorium are the various offices
connected with the Temple; ALEC The .chool-
room, f1rnace-room and lsvato les. All
these have separate exi's aud entrances, aud
are Sd arranged as 10 give proper acclmmo-
datiou to each department. This Temple
when fnIshe }, which will BE- about the LIST of
December next, will be quite an addition TO
the church architt cture Of Memphiu-noyel.
gorgeous and a departure from prescribsd
ideas.