Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-28
TUMULT IN A CHURCH.
A Hot Dispute in the Orthodox B'nai
Israel Congregation
CALLS FOR POLICE INTERFERENCE.
Counter Charges of Disturbing the Meet.
ing Considered.
TWO OF THE MEMBERS SUSPENDED

There was stormy time in the synagogue
of the B'nai Israel congregation, on Grant
street yesterday, and it was all caused by a
dispute as to who should read the prayers.
The day is set apart as fast by the Ortho-
| dox Hebrews to commemorate the Gestruc-
tion of Solomon's temple, and the services
consist of the recital in Hebrew of 70 pray.
ers. Heretofore it has been the custom for
the best Hebrew scholars in the eongrega-
tiou to take turns in reading
these prayers, but this year Mr..
Morris Rosenthal, President of the Congre-
cation, instructed the cantor, or official
reader, to recite the prayers himself. The
reason for the change, Mr.. Rosenthal says,
was because in the past some of the volun-
teer readers were not perfect II ebrew schol-
ars, and their mispronunciation caused
levity.
Yesterday the cantor had proceeded
through 42 prayers when he became hoarse
and tired, and the President asked men,
ber of the congregation to read the next
prayer and thus give the cantor q little
rest.
THE TROUBLE BEGINS.
Then another member arose and began
reading the forty-fourth prayer, but the
President ordered him to desist. This
brought Mr.. Samuel Miller, an ex-Vice
President, to his feet, and he demanded to
know why the rules had been changed. He
said it had been the custom, since the con-
gregation was organized, for the members to
read these prayers. According to Mr..
4lo od xutt
heat, "You sit down; you've got nothing to
say. You're a know-nothipg; you can't
say your prayers correctly" Mr.. Miller
thereupon handed the Book of Prayers to
the President, intimating that he could
teach the latter.
Several other members took hand in the
proceedings, among them Mr.. MIller's
brother and Jacob Levi, and finally the
tumult became so great that Officer Crossan
entered the synagogue and called the meet
ing to order. The meeting quieted down
and the cantor finished the services.
A little later church meeting was called
and charges of disturbing the services were
preferred against the two MiIlers and Jacob
Levi. The matter was referred to COM
mittee of five and they found the defendants
guilty. The Millers were suspended, they
say for two and a half months, but the Pres
ident and member of the committee say
for five months. Levi was merely repri-
manded.
CHARGES AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.
A similar charge was made against Presi-
dent Rosenthal, but as it lacked five of the
necessary seven signatures it was not con-
sidered. ....
The discussion on the charges was very
bitter and the President spent most of his
time endeavoring to restore order by pound
ing with his gavel. When the noise was at
its height Officer Crossan entered and in
formed the President that if the meeting
did not quiet down at once he would send
for the patrol wagon and arrest everyone
present. The meeting thereupon dissolved.
Mr.. Samnel Miller stated last evening
that he was singled out for punishment be-
cause he had been prominent in his opposi-
ton to Mr.. Rosenthal's reelection as Presi.
dent, and also because he was friend of
the rabbi, who was not in favor with the
President. He also declared that Mr..
Rosenthal was in the minority, and that he
refused to consider matters brought to his
notice by the majority. He further said
that the President was despotic and unfair
in his rulings.
THE PRESIDENTS STATEMENT. Il
On the other hand, Mr. Rosenthai said
his actions yesterday were sustained by
nearly the entire congregation. He ad-
mitted that his position gave him almost
despotic power, but denied that he exercised
it. He said his last election was contested
warmly on account of mistaken impression
that ne was opposed to the rabbi, and he
had only majority of one vote He said
he was friendly toward the rabbi and con-
tributed to his support. He had always
been on friendly terms with the Milers,
and did not see why they should take
umbrage at his acting within his authority
and arranging the manner of conducting
the exercises.