The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-06-03
WITHIN THE SYNAGOGUE
A Great Throng Attends
the Dedication Of the
Hebrew House of
Worship.
THE MAYOR PRESENTS THE KEY.
Imposing Ceremonies, with Music
of the Grandest and Most
Solemn Character.


A Protestant church was yesterday
transformed into Hebrew synagogue.
The building recently belonged to the con-
gregation of the Free Reformed Church.
1t is located at Nos. 1856 and 1877 First
street. When the members decided to
unite with the First Presbyterian Church
they offered the place of worship for sale,
and the Sons of Israel congregation
bought it for 5000. The dedication took
place yesterday and the church was
crowded with people of different kinds of
Mayor Cleveland, the Rev. A. Al. Zabris-
kie, the Rev. Cornelius Brett, DR.. L. j.
Gordon, Major Q. K. Pangborn, George j.
Heaney and w. j. TAFT. 1t is the first
synagogue in the city. The Hebrews
heretofore were compelled to worship In
halls
The appearance of the church had been
much altered, and rows of comfortable
chairs surrounded q platform in the CEN
tire of the floor. This platform was about
three feet high and was used by an or
chestra of half dozen stFinged instru-
ments and choir of seven male voices.
The music was perfect. The choir be-
longs in New York and was under the di-
rection of the chazan, or, in English,
leader or minister. Directly In front of
this is the brass reading desk, on which Is
inscribed, in Hebrew, THAT the Lord
will be before me forever"
The desk has nine candles, in arch shape,
over it, and the Rabbi using it faces the
arck, which is at the extreme rear end OF
the pulpit and is covered with a beauti-
full maroon colored curtain richly eTn-
broidered with gold.
THE GOLDEN CROWN
The prominent feature of it is the em-
blem of the golden crown worn by, Solo
mon, and six pointed star with dozen
Hebrew said "This is the crown of the
law" Over this curtain, between two
gilded lions, were two clasped hands also
gilded. 1t was emblematical of the an
cient manner of blessing priests.
When the orchestra had played a beau
tiful air, the Rev. Mr.. Zabriskie informed
those near him that his duties made it
necessary to go to his own church and he
left the building.
The services were advertised to take
place at half-past two O'Clock, but it was
half an hour later before they began, and
when they did it was by the chanting OF
Psalm Xxx by choir wearing white and
blue scarfs around them, and a leader or
minister enyeloped in robe of white silk.
Soon afterward Psalm xiv was chanted,
and then Mayor Cleveland, who was the
only Christion on the platform, in a for
NAL manner presented the key OF the
synagogue to B. Drachmann, the president
of the trustees.
PRESENTING THE KEY.
The Mayor said
II feel 1t an honor to be assigned to the
duty of representing the State at these ex-
ercises and / present the key of this edi-
fee to the President with great pleasure.
know, while doing so, that nothing will
be done that win not promote the best in
fara9tS of nyff citizens -
The Mayor continued his remarks. and
said that it was because the people or
these United States could worship where
ever they pleased that has made this
nation strong and that other nations look
at ours in admiration and wonder.
President Drachmann in accepting the
key remarked that it was the symbol OF
possession and confidence. He declared
he would perform his duties as well as
possible, and bade all a hearty welcome.
He gave brief biography of the Jewish
race fromthe time of Jacob, and said that
for ten centuries the Jews had no home or
place of worship except in Poland, which
he declared was peopled by noble race:
Although the synagogue is nearly paid
for, he directed that subscription papers
be sent around the audience.
THE RABBI's ADDRESS.
A psalm was chanted at the close of the
address and Chazan Samuel Goldberg
dress by Rabbi Bernard Drachman. who
said his heart was filed with joy because
he was able to welcome those present to
aid in dedicating and consecrating this
place of worship. 1t was q pleasure to
him, he said, as Jew and minister to
see Christians in the building. 1t proved
that in this country all are brethren, al
though they may differ in faith. He then
turned toward the ark and exclaimed
You, oh sacred ark, we cOnsecrate to
God, and may it you aid in giving the
congregation better morals.
Facing the brass reading desk he said
in solemn tones, And you, Oh reading
desk, do the same"
The Rabbi said the house that had be-
come the property of the congregation
had been acquired for a lofty and sublime
purpose. In all churches there are some
who bow their heads, fold their hands
and go away satisfied. This sort of relig-
on the freedom of worship in this country
compared to Germany, Russia and
France, and declared the people here
''want unity and not uniformity"
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
Chazan Hyman WeinscheQ took from
the ark the Ten Commandments and the
law of the prophets, which were enclosed
In metal cylinder cases and in manuscript,
and while chanting q psalm, solemnly
carried them through the aisles, and after
repeating this several times he returned
to the ark and replaced them.
A PROTESTANT MINISTER'S SPEECH.
The Rev. DIR. Brett was then invited to
make some remarks and every one was
curious to know what Protestant clergy
man would say.
"Mr. President and members of this
congregation,' said he, sit seems natural
to stand here, for until few weeks ago
it was one of the Reformed churches
Continuing his remarks he said:-"I Invoke
your aid in the great work OF salvation.
1t matters not whether we are Christian
| or Hebrew We have all creeds here.
The man who believes the law of Moses,
and lives as that law teaches, must be
| good citizen. Help us to sweep away
| atheism and we will welcome your syna-
gogue."
THE CHIEF RABBI.
| Major q. K Pangborn was invited 10
make some remarks, and in his happy
way he congratulated the SONS OF
Israeli on the possession OF the new syn,
agogue, and said that ''the Jews had
been oppressed more than any otueF race
that ever lived"
Several other addresses were made and
after a praye. and sermon by Chief Rabbi
! Jacob Josepho the services were concluded.
| They lasted from half-past two o'clok un-
| til six o'clock The following is list or
| the officials OF the synagogue
| Officers-B. Drachmann president; 5. Gold
| berg vice president; M. Brody, secretarys u.
/ Lipshitz, treasurer
trustees A. Levy, H. Goldberg and l.
| Schelansln.
and Aaron CasseL
| Ex-President--M. A. Nathan.