Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-19
PULPIT VERSUS PLAY.
The Hebrew Opera Company
Read Out of Meeting,
LEAVING MANY CREDITORS.
The Rabbi Mimicked on the Stage
and the Play Denounced.
EXPECTED BACK NEXT EASTER

The Hebrew gentleman who was reported
in THE DISPATCH few days ago as OBJ
iecting TO his sons attending the Hebrew
Opera Company entertainments is sup
ported in his ideas by the history of the
company, which came from Philadelphia
about six weeks ago. 1t engaged the Tur-
ner Hail, and, going around to the best
Hebrew residents, secured subscriptions
toward supporting Hebrew opera in Pitts
burg.
A Hebrew club was formed, among the
members of which were NJ. Goldenberg, S.
Magursky, NJ Robin, Samuel Lecktenstahl,
Henry Finkelperl, Joseph Finkleperl and
other leading Hebrew citizens and business
men. Mr.. Finkleperl was elected treasurer
of the club, and, although $40 out by the
transaction, speaks pleasantly of his expert
ence Hesays: ''The people came here and
represented themselves as Hebrew ORA
matte company, and l, as many Others
thought that a historical Hebrew drama
shown with appropriate costumes and
scenery would be an excellent means of edu-
cation, l, of course, helped the project.
There were IA members of the company, of
which three were ladies and one little girl.
lEE LOCS AbOO1 N1oOs
fThev represented, through the managers
and directors, that they were going to pro-
duce new thing, and one which would be
acceptable TO our people. do not suppose
that the loss of the club will exceed 5000,
and know how the funds came in, as was
elected treasurer Of the club. We were
willing to lose that amount or more to have
a Hebrew opera presented, for, say, three
months or 50, but we naturally kick on
having the limit reduced to two or three
weeks. We went to see the opera one night
and saw reproduction of 'The Streets of
New York" in Hebrew, but as most, if not
all, of US had seen the piece in its natural
colors, the production was not altogether
acceptable. Still there were other pieces
produced in the Turner Hall that were
liked, and the opinions were all in favor of
the company until last night, when it was
ascertained that it had packed up and left.
have every confidence that it will return
about Easter time, the Jewish Passover,
when the large patronage Of Hebrew ped
dlers will be concentrated in the city.
They have to return from their various
routes at that time, because they cannot eat
the bread obtainable abroad, and will neces-
sarily center around the large places. But
you can mark my words that the company
will have no club assistance in its enter
prise. 1 understand that it left about 6
o'clock on Sunday morning. and no effort was
made to put a stop to the chapter OF exodus
which was the last act of the organization"
THE RABBI DENOUNCED THEM.
Seeing some other members of the Grant
Street Synagogue, the true inwardness of
the case was shown up. 1t appears that
Rabbi Sivitz has been exhorting his con-
gregation, and telling it that attendance at
the Hebrew performances would be not
alone subversive of morality but would ex-
clude those who attended from participa-
tion in the services of the synagogue. This
is stated by at least six reputable attend
ants at the place OF worship, one of whom
went so far as to say that the Rabbi said he
would denounce and curse, or probably to
use a more understood phrase, excommuni-
cate the members who would visit the show.
The members of the Dramatic Company
with that proverbial disregard for all the
usual conveniences of society, on last Satur-
day night introduced a new feature into the
Streets of New York" a debate, between
Thomasosky who personated what is known
TO the boys as Monkey Joe," and Garten-
stien. one of whom made up to impersonate
Rabbi Sivitz, beard and general appearance
being copied to the life. The debate was on |
the subject of attending dramatic perform
ances, and was, of course, decided in the
affirmative. The reception of this gag on
the general piece was applauded, and
the result can be seen in the
absence of the company from the haunts
which have known them for some time.
A RUPTURE PROBABLE.
The fact that there are several bills owed
by the members of the company is considered
of less Importance by its numerous creditors
than that it was excluded practically bv
work through the Grant Street Synagogue
from the patronage of many of the laUter's
members, and it is more than likely that
this effort at church discipline will make
rupture upon the hill which nothing but the
return of the company, the payment of its
bills and its Endorsement by the ecclesiastical
authorities will assuage.
In one place there were a number of
young girls who were holding an i'm
promptu indignation meeting on the man.
ner in which the opera company had been
frozen out by the icy hand of theological
denunciation. They were in sympathy with
the players with one exception, that of a
young lady whose brother had lost So
loaned to one of the operatic performers
Even she was divided in opinion whether to
condemn the man who borrowed the money
or the place of worship, of which she was
devout member, for making it necessary for
the dramatic company to skip.
The company is now supposed to be in
Philadelphia, whence it came, and the
church fight occasioned by the opposition to
its representations will probably be re-
garded as too good an advertisement to be
wasted, so that Mr. FinkeIpearl's prognosti-
cation Of its return will probably prove
correct.