The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-03

Jewish new year, and toward the end of
the service Rabbi S. II. Sonneschein
assembled the pulpit and to the profound
establishment of the audience he an
nounced his resignation of the post of
pastor to the congregation. His address
was replete with pathos. lie said thatthe
forthco ming separation of his hearers and
himself could be likeDed to the estrange-
ment of an engaged couple who found
themselves unsuted 10 each other
At first his meaning was but imperfectly
Compensated, for the rabbi preached in
German, his native tongue, and only per-
cenIage OF the audience understand that
language. Those who did not understa nd,
however. were quickly made aware of the
change about to be made, and quite dis
tinct murmur of establishment was heard.
The resignation of DR.. SoDneschein was
the sole topic Of conversation in Jewish
circles yesterday. He has been In the
city only short time, having arrived here
in December last he was formerly rabbi
in Chattanooga, Tenn. and for twenty
three years in st. Louis. Mo. He was ac-
counted one of the highest salaried rabbis
in the United States while he was In the
latter city. The congregation there is a
large one, and he might have continued in
the enjoyment of his pastorate for many
more years. Rumors of a damaging char
acter were. however, circulated, which
eliminated in his divorce from his wife
the congregation.
At the end of last year, while on a visit
to this city, Rabbi Sonneschein was elect
gogue.
This congregation has been established
for thirty-fve years, and during its exist
ence has experienced many vicisstudes.
Its formation was the outcome of a split
in the Temple Emanuel con gregaiion,
who then worshiped in synagogue on
Broadway. AT its inception 1t was quite
successful. Some $4,000 was collected
and the plat and building on Mason street,
near Post, was purchased. In the course
of years, however. interest in its welfare
diminished, and the membership to-day
barely exceeds fifty souls. So badly sit
uated financially is the congregation, that
the plat and building were sold a few
weeks ago for $4,000 to the Native Sons
of the Golden West. who propose erecting
structure of their own on the site.
There appears to be considerable uncer-
tainty. as to whether the rabbi has resigned
Of his own free will. or whether he has
been given his congo. The younger ele.
ment incline to the latter opinion, but the
Older and presumably better informed
members do not, though they are singu.
larly reticent on the subject.
The rabbi can certainly not be charged
with incomDetency, for he is one of the
most learned Talmudists of the United
States, and has great European reputa-
ton for the depth OF his theological learn.
ing. His age is somewhere in the fifties.
and he has been termed the Jewish Henry
Ward Beecher. His celebrated paper on
Judaism" read before the recent Re-
ligious Congress. will be rememb ered. His
appearance In the pulpit is everything that
could be desired.
In conversation last evening prominent
official connected with the Mason-stree {
synagogue said: Eyes, DR.. Sonneschein
Is about to leave us, and his resignation
will be placed before a special meeting of
the board Of trustees to be held on Thurs
day, the 18th inst. There appears to be
no rupture between the pastor and his
flock. but his platform is in opposition to
the ideas of the members"
''In what regard is he in discord ?" was
asked.
swell, he is too reformed and progress
sive. 1t is known that the rabbi is not in
sympathy with our holding two days