New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-28
ANXIOUS TO REGAIN THEIR CANTOR.

JEWISH CONGREGATION TAKE THEIR ALLEGED
CLAIM ON HIM INTO COURT.
Justice Pryor of the Supreme Court yesterday re-
served decision on the motion made on behalf OF the
Jewish Congregation Kol Israel Anshepon, OF For
syth-st TO have injunction, granted temporarily
by Justice Truax. OF the Supreme Court against
their cantor Isaac Herlands made permanent The
Injunction restraints Herlands from singing in any
other synagogue than theirs while lis contract re-
mains In force with the Kol Israel
It was said by Moses Esberg. counsel for the palm
tiff congregation, that written contract was en-
tered into between the cantor and the synagogue
which would end to-day. This defendant had gone
TO another congregation In Henry-st, and was
there officiating as He had been engaged nj
sl.4Oo year by the Ko Israel. but was now 70 re-
ceve 500 year more.
Justice Pryor-Couid you not get some other can
tor?
Mr. Esberg-No sir
Justice Pryor-Does the function OF cantor require
any special. unique skill?
Mr. Esberg-It requires certain PROFESSIONAL
training A man must be able TO chant according
TO the ancient Hebrew melodies. Certain OF them
must be studied artist must study an opera
The absence OF this defendant from the synagogue
on the last two Jewish holidays has actually broken
up the congregation
Counsel further asserted that renewal OF Inc
contract had been effected April q for the COM
ing year, the cantor agreeing TO accept 800 year
increase OF salary but Her!ands nad gone AWAY !"
violation of this contract Such thing was rare In
the history OF the Jewish Church in this city.
Otto Irving Wise, who represented the cantor
said that the Kol Israel had not acted honestly with
Herlands from the start. He was entitled under
his agreement TO sing anywhere In the city. Ire
fact that he got two Sabbaths in summer and
two in winter showed that the cantor was not alto
gether indispensable, and as to his abilities being
UNIQUE he had been years in this country
before he was employed. He denied that the con-
tract had been renewed. AS to a special service OF
music being necessary. Mr. Wise said that In q part
was chanted but surely 1t would not be contended
that this chanted two or three thousand years
! ago. The congregation gave the cantor SliW
year. but he had pay $500 for choir out OF that
| Justice Pryor asked II there was any record OF
q secular court interdicting man from performing
religious function.
MI Esberg did not think there was. but when a
man holding such place disregarded his duties he
did not think the Court would assist him.
Justice Pryor-We not here 10 prcmulgate
moral ethics, but administer mundane law:
Mr. Esberg suggested that three rabbis decide
the matter according Jewish law, but he wanted
cantors to know that they fuAl contracts Ike
! Herands back with open He asked the
Court TO give decision before the next Jewish Sab
| bath.
| Justice Pryor said he would decide the matter at
once. unless counsel wished to present new matter
| 10 him in affidavits Mr. Esberg said he had not
seen the other sides affidavit denying a renewal Of
| the contract Mr. Wise replied that he had no new
| ported by affidavlts already.
! Decision reserved.