Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-13
NINE CONFIRMED
TRE FEAST OF STRENUOUS CELEBRATED BY
TIE ISRAsLlIES.
Elaborate and Impressive Ceremonies at Toe eeblew
Synagogue - Bow tha Occasion
Was Observed.

One of the most Important OF the six
Jewish feasts OF the year, the feast Of
Shewuous, was celebrated in Wheeling
yesterday, as elsewhere, with becoming
services. 1t is celebrated in memory OF
the receiving of the law from Mount
Sinia, and on this day it is that in the
more reformed congregations the rite
OF confirmation is adminsted to the
boys and girls who have attained the
age Of fourteen years. This feast is the
Jewish PentecoSt, insOmuch as it falls
fifty days after the second day o. the
feast of the Passover, which was at the
beginning OF the vernal harvest, and
when the new dough made of the years
harvest of corn was first eaten.
1t is also the day when Jewish chill
dren are confirmed in their faith. The
Jews Of olden times had no such rite for
the girls, and the rite Of confirmation is
a beautiful thing not commanded any
where in the Bible. The confirmation
services took place yesterday morning
at the Hebrew Synagogue at the corner
of Twelfth and Chapline streets, anu
were of most interesting and impress
sive character. The services began at
10 o'clock and continued until shortly
after noon. For the past few weeks
the cOntirmandS have been instructed
in special understanding OF the jew
ish faith, and their prayers, notices,
ETC.. have been in constant rehearsal.
The synagogue was handsomely be-
decked with flowers for the occasion,
and they were most Hastily arranged,
especially in the vicinity of the pulpit
where there was a profuSion Of beauti-
ful specimens. The interior never
looked more inviting, and for the ad-
mlrable floral arrangements the society
is largely indebted to Mrs. Morris Horl-
heimer.
The society was largely represented
at the confirmation services, and all
present evinced deep interest in the
beautiful and instructive ceremonies.
The services were conducted by Rabbi
b. A. Bonnheim.
The service of the regular Shewuous
feast opened the programme, and this
was followed by the choir singing an in
troductory hymn. During the prelimi-
nary vocal exercises the cOnfermandS,
headed by the chairman of the Sunday
School, Mr.. Victor Rosenberg, entered
the Synagogue, after which came the
reading of the Thoroh. The girls, six
in numb were arrayed in white, while
the boys were in black. All bore bou-
Duets to the Ark of the Covenant. The
male confirmands then assembled the
pulpit and recited, before and after the
reading, the ancient benedicton of the
Thoroh, after which it is replaced in
the Ark. Music by the choir was fol-
lowed by sermon by Rev. Bonnheim
TO the occasion, which In
cluded an instructive address to the
class, which followed in prayer.
They were then examined in religion,
and the Rev. Bopnheim's address was
continued, which was followed by the
confession OF faith. The choir re-
heated "Shmah JiSroel," after which
the minister's address was continued
and the class was called upon to receive
the blessing Of their parents.
The ministers address then continued,
after which the confirmants each dellv-
ere Il short address in the following or
der: Master Meyer Steiniield, Miss
Carrie Steinhauser. Master Nathan
Kraus, Miss Blanche Speyer, Miss Linda
Rosenberg, Master Leon Frank, Miss
Celia Speyer. At this point the class
deposited their bouquets at the ark, and
the Two remaining members, Miss Stella
Kraus and Miss Bertha Reich, made
their addresses. The conclusion of Rev.
Bonheim's address followed, after which
the class was blessed by him, and the
choir sang "Jeworecheco," the priestly
benediction, the word in English mean
ing, 'God Bless thee" Mr.. Henry
Baer and Mr.. Rosenberg were to
have made remarks, but owing to the
absence of Mr.. Baer, and the lateness
of the hour, this feature of the occasion
was omitted, and the exercises closed
with the presentation of the contirma-
ton certificates by Mr.. Rosenberg.