Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-27
KENESATH ISRAEL.
THIS CONGREGATION CELEBRATES
ITS THIRTy-FlrTH ANNIVERSARY.

THIS CONDENSATION CELEBRATES
| ITS THIRTy-FlfTH ANNIVERSARY.
Evening Services, Splendid COLLATION. and
Good Observation-Disclosures OF the
Speakers Briefly Printed.
The celebration OF the thirty-ffth
anniversary OF the Congregation Kene-
saith Israel on Sunday night will be long
remembered by all whose fortune il was
TO participate as most enjoyable enter
tainment.
The programme OF the observance
began with evening services in the
synagogue. Mayo street near Broad,
conducted by Rev. j. ID. Sapir, the
minister OF tho congregation. These
were concluded with an address OF vel
come.
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE.
All present--about three hundred in
number, about one half OF whom we're la
dies-then proceeded to the basement of
the Synagogue. This was handsomely
decorated, the walls and ceiling being
hid by drapery OF red, white, and blue.
Pendant from this were many festoons
of cedar, relieved by artificial flowers.
In one end of the room were the figures
showing the age of the congregation
and at the other the word Welcome"
A number Of tables laden with all that is
good extended in every direction.
Chairman Fl. z. Hirshberg, OF the
committee, welcomed all present and
said that with great trouble they had
succeeded in providing what had not
been seen in Richmond fors long time
a kosher banquet. by this he meant
the food was all prepared at home &C
cording to the rules OF Jewish cookery
Rabbi Sapir delivered an address OF
welcome in German. at the conclusion
OF which the work OF demolition began.
Everybody seemed to feel at home, and
not one Of the fifty dishes on the bill of
fare was neglected.
ToAsTs.
When the supper had received the re-
quisite amount Of attention Chairman
Hirshberg raped for silence, and act
ing as POSTMASTER called on Rabbi Sapir
10 respond to "Our Congregation
Kenesath Israel Consecrated to the
One and Only Living God" This the
reverend gentleman did most eloquently,
his remarks being in German.
"Our Thirty-fifth Natal Day-The
Day We Celebrate, was the next senti-
ment. In replying to this Mr.. Philip
Hirshberg, vice-president OF the con.
gregation, was quite happy. Some OF
his remarks were quite amusing and
elected much laughter. He was glad
that the committee had bonored him,
but would rather that they had left him
off the programme. They had, however,
been considerate enough to place him
between two ministers. which according
to the Hebrew significance, showed that
while not a speaker yet he would be &C
ceptable. He predicted that in thirty
five years to come the congregation
would be still stronger. He alluded
to the increase showing that where one
member of family had been founder,
that half dozen or more OF his name
were now members. Mr.. Hirshberg
gave brief sketch of the congregation,
telling how it had started in rented
rooms. Now it has a synagogue, four
scrolls of the law, and a burying ground
of its own. There are nine letters in the
Hebrew name of the congregation. The
figure nine could never be changed, and
for this reason the congregation was
bound to last for all time.
RABBI cALIsCH.
Rev. Edward N. Calisch, rabbi OF the
Congregation Beth Ababa, was the next
speaker, the sentiment being "Our
Faith-Judaism. Beginning, MIR.
Calisch said Judaism was hard thing TO
define, and it was especially hard for
him to tell OF it to an audience who were
more orthodox than himself. Judaism
is what the Jews are and what they
make it. No prettier picture Of it could
be presented than the scene which they
all then witnessed. He was glad to SEQ
the room hung in the Ameri-
can colors, thing that came of Juda-
ism, faith that has always recognized
in the words of the wise man OF old,
1.-THE law OF the land is the law" No
where does Judaism find better place
than under that flag which was then over
them. This congregation is only one of
the integral parts of the faith. 1t is one
of the limbs not to be severed. He was
glad with them and rejoiced IN their sue
cess. On behalf OF the congregation
Beth Abaha he congratulated them on
the happy occasion. All Israel are
brethren, and as such when fessting in
plenty they should remember those who
to-day are orphaned and widowed be-
cause of their devotion to the faith.
E1iled Israelites are coming from the
land of the Gar, and it is their bounden
duty to care for them.
The Congregation Beth Ahaba will,
perhaps, in the near future appoint
committee, with three similar bodies
from the other synagogues, to consider
ways and means for caring for such OF
the refugees as come to Richmond. He
appealed to them to at once select such
committee that those of the faith who
are suffering for the faith should be
careU 1Or.
When another thirty-fve years shall
have rolled around and the congrega-
ton attained the three score and ten al
loted to man but not to congregations,
he hoped it would be stronger than ever,
and that it would still remain Kenesath
Israel to the honor of God and to the
honor Of the faith.
OLD CONGREGATIONS.
"Our Sister Congregations-Hear o.
Israel, the Lord Our God, the Lord is
One" was replied to by Mr.. Joseph
Cohn, reader of the Congregation Beth
Shalom. His, he said, was the father
of the other congregations, having been
founded one hundred years ago this
month. In 1916 the Congregation Beth