The record-union., 1895-05-30
CONFIRMATION AT TIE SYNAGOGUE.
Observance of the Feast of Pente-
cost.
Interesting and Impressive Offering
of the jewish Youth to
the Lord.

A service commemorating the festival
of Shavuoth, or the Feast of Weeks, was
held at the synagogue on Sixth stree.
yesterday, it being Pentecost. The syna-
gogue was beautifully decorated with
flowers and plants, especially the altar.
The feast being on the day when the
Jews originally brought their first fruits
of the harvest as an offering to God. they
now make it an occasion for bringing
their youth to be cOnsecrated to God.
esterday morning, in accordance with
this custom, there were eight candidates
for confirmation: Gertie Harris, Josie
Levison, Rosie Levy, Annie Marks,
Belle Zemansky, Lizzie Zemansky, Rob-
ert Asher and Ernest Gattman. The
church was crowded and many of other
faiths were present to listen to the im-
pressive and beautiful service of the
jewish Church.
A special choir had been engaged for
the event, composed of Horace Crocke or,
Ii. L. Cohn, Mrs. Mary Ross, Mrs. Il. H.
Hawley. and Mrs. Tomaso organist. The
Pentscost service music was rendered as
follows. "Borchu." "Shema," "Micho-
mocho." "ohema," !"Lecho Adonoy,"
"J'hallalu," 'Lecho Exbach" and
"Hodo" four times, "Ono Adonoy," Eng
lish hymn, Love Divine; TX edu-
schoh," Readings" "Three Amens,"
"Vaanachnu," 'Mourner's kaddish."
Rabbi Simon otficiated and was assisted
by ii. Weinstock, President of the con-
gregation, and Albert Elkus, the Vice
President. After the preliminary serv-
ice the confirmants came up the aisle,
two by two, escorted by the President
selves at the altar, the girls each carrying
a bouquet for the Offering of flowers and
being dressed in white, and the process
sional, "Boruch Habbs," was sung by
the choir.
The programme was as follows: Open
ing prayer. Josie Levison; class hymn,
class; meditation. Ernest Gattman; tenor
SOLO, "Jerusalem"; 1.-The Significance of
tho Day." Gertie Harris; offering of
flowers, Annie Marks; quartet and solo,
choir; notices, class: address to parents.
Lizzie Lemansky; quartet, "Remem Der
Me-" choir; examlnatiOn-Part l., class;
1.-The Ten Commandments" Rosie Levy;
examination-Part H., class; vaiedictory
Robert Asher; bass solo, Invocation;
closing prayer, Belle Zemansky; Con
fession," class; presentation of diplomas;
benediction, Rabbi; quartet, "Hallelu-
kjah."
A The prayers and addresses by the chill
dren were given in a style that surprised
the auditors and would have done credit
to older persons. Many remarks were
made concerning the feeling and under
standing manifested by them, as. well as
their seif-possession and clearneSs OF
enunciation. 1t was evident that they
fully appreciated the importance of the
obligations they were taking upon them
selves and that they were deeply affected.
especially during the benediction.
Throughout the addresses was appar-
ent the feeling OF gratitude to God, OF
love for the religion OF their forefathers
and for their parents. Mr.. Weinstock
presented the diplomas and in his re-
marks said that they had taken upon
themselves vows to defend and continue
In the religion Of Israel, and he wanted
them to realize the fact that henceforth
their course and their actions would be
judged, not as individuals, but as Jews
and Jewesses, and he hoped that they
would show themselves to be upright
men and pure, noble hearted women,
whose conduct should never bring dis
grace on the church which they were
this day entering.
Rabbi Simon referred to the fact that it
was the first class that he had ever
brought to confirmation, and said it was
the proudest and happiest moment of his
life. He told them that the two greatest
qualities they could possess were mod
esty and reverence. which are, alas. too
scarce in these days. He hoped their
future lives would prove that he had not
brought them to this conservation before
they were ripe for it, and ne did not
think he had.
In the afternoon Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Lev
iSOn and the other mothers held recep-
ton for their friends in honor of the oc-
casiOn.
Mr.. and Mrs. n. Zemansky also gave
reception on behalf of their daughters at
their residence, 1918 Fourth street. Many
friends were present and the occasion was
happy one to all concerned.