The herald., 1896-09-07
The Beautiful Structure
Formally Opened
WITH MOST IMPRESSIVE SERVICES
Rabbi Solomon breaches on the
Attributes of Home
ORNATE CHORAL SERVICE
Little Rosa German Makes Presenta.
= tlon Of the Key
II. W. HelIman Voices the Congregation In an
Address Of Acknowledgment
Rabbi Edeiman fndulges In Reminiscent 1em-
orles a. Inspiring to 1ors Active Service.
Judaism Old, Yet Ever New-Arch.
itectural Features
ORNATE CHORAL SERVICE
Little Rosa Germain Makes Presenta.
tlon Of the Key
II. W. HelIman Voices the Congregation In an
Address Of Acknowledgment


lift up your heads, o We gates, and be
ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, for the
King of Glory shall enter. Who is the King
of, Glory? The Lord of Hosts-He is the
A large outpouring Of the children Of
the ancient faith, with a sprinkling of
Christians witnessed the dedicatory ex-
ercises yesterday at the B'nai Birth
temple. Every seat was filled in the
beautiful structure, and the ancient
ritual was solemn and impressive.
The temple was decorated very taste
fully. Along the front of the dais a
bank of variegated flowers extended
between the oaken pillars supporting
the silver seven-branched candlestickS.
The pillars themselves were wreathed
with foliage, while on each side of the
dais were massed tall papyrus plants
and palms. Around the auditorium
ropes of smilax were looped at the lamp
brackets with roses, the windows being
banked in with flowers.
Shortly before 8 o'clock, as the first
notes of Mendelssohn's March Of the
Priests broke the silence, the doors at
the end of the temple were thrown open
and the procession entered in the fol-
lowing order:
Rabbi NJ. G. Solomon.
Miss Rosa German, carrying the key
of the temple on cushion.
President II. w. Hellman and Vice
President M. Levy, carrying the
rolls of the law.
H. w. Frank, treasurer; j. E. Waldeclz,
secretary.
Trustees H. Newmark, A. Haas, j. Sum-
derland, B. Baruch, j. Kahn.
Building committee-J. Baruch, Isaac
Norton, j. Loew.
Invited guests-Rabbi A. w. Edelman,
Herman Silver, Rev. Alfred Arndt.
AS the last notes of the professional
march died away the choir broke forth
into the ancient Hebrew chant, Ma
Tovu. 1t was plaintive in parts, as were
chanted the words: How good are thy
tents, o. Jacob; thy tabernacle, o, Is
rael. Through thy great mercy, O.
God, come to thy house and bow down
in thy holy temple in the fear of thee"
From the altar read Rabbi Solomon:
who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?'
ETC., and with burst Of melody an
swered back the choir: Hear, Q, Israel;
the Lord. our God. the Lord is one"
So alternately the prescribed ritual
was gone through. the choir making an
swer The president and vice president
lifted the scrolls of the law from off the
altar where they had been deposited
and placed them in the holy of holies.
Standing on each side of the rabbi, fac
ing the holy place, Rabbi Solomon read
1.-THE law is pure and holy; forsake it
not"
1T is a tree of life to them that lay
hold Of it," sang the choir in response,
land the supporters thereof are happy"
NJ ff, hn 1fov.
Levy uttered the prayer. BE blessed.
o. Lord, our God, king of the universe,
who hast given health and strength
and permitted us to live and celebrate
this festival day of the dedication of this
house to thy glory Amen" He then
proceeded to light each of the lights in
the -branched candlesticks and
also ignite the flame in the perpetual
lamp hanging in front of the holy of
holes. During the ceremonial the choir
sang:
" Let there be light!'' A second time
The Lord Of Hosts proclaim,
Let ever yield to truth sublime
And justice reign supreme;
The sun then rose on Sinafs height
And poured on thee a flood of light
Taking her place in front of the altar,
Miss Rosa German, holding the cushion
upon which was laid the key of the
temple, presented it, in the following
words:
The task is done-the temple stands,
master work from master hands,
A monument of stately grace,
An honor to our faith and race.
The doors are open-and our hearts
TO all the joy our faith mparts
Here we may seek for truth divine,
There virtue finds fitting shrine.
Accept the key! The door 1t opes
To nobler aims and higher hopes;
Here may we all in concord dwell,
And spread the fame of Israel.
Mr.. Jacob Baruch then, addressing
himself to President H. w. Hellman,
spoke as follows:
men: On behalf of the building commit
tee, the duty devolves upon me to make
this presentation. Before doing so, how
ever, wish to thank the board of trus-
tees Tor their advice at all times and
their hearty cooperation. 1t also be-
hooves Sy me to acknowledge the kindness
OF Mr.. A. N. Edelman, the architect, for
his enective work. and I am sure I
voice the desire of the congregation
when l thus do credit to his talent
IN presenting to you this insignifi-
cant bit OF metal, we cherish the hope
that you will guard 1t for all time, and
that we will all reap our reward in that
spiritual temple not made with hands"
PRESIDENT Hellman responded in the
following words:
ACCEFIING THE CHARGE,
Mr. Chairman of the Building Com
mittee: 1t is with great pleasure that
accept from your hands the key to this
beautiful temple and I assure you that
the words expressed by you have pro
foundly impressed me and hope they
may be realized in the near future,
Ladies and Gentlemen: My heart re-
joices to welcome this favorable hour
and fully appreciate the honor to per-
form the solemn duty 1t imposes. To me
1t Is indeed one Of the happiest momentg
of my life and heartiest feelings to the
Almighty who in his infinite .Srace and
mercy permitted me and all OF you as
sembled here today to live and witness
this glorious day Of dedication. have
therefore accepted in the name of our
congregation, B'nai Birth, the key o,
this beautiful temple, which now stands
completed. pride and everlasting mon
ument to Judaism and an ornament to
this, our great city.
In conclusion. I wish to thank the
board Of trustees and also the building