The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-27
THE FEAST OF HANUKKAH.
The CoacIusiou Of the Great Feast
Of Lights
CELEBRATED BY THE ORTHODOX JEWS
"A Enjoyable Time for the Children.
Presentation TO superintendent
Dannenbaun.

Yesterday was the eighth day, and the
closing Of this festival. and was cclebrat-
ed by the Bikor Cholim Society, assisted
BY tho ladies' Adath Yeshurn auxiliary OF
Z the orthodox congregation of the Jewish
church, whose place of worship is located
in little frame building on Preston ave-
nue.. at tho corner OF Hamilton street
The most prominent feature OF Hanukknh
Is q childreu's celebration. consequently II
was celebrated yesterday by the pupils
OF the Sunday school. of which Mr.. Henry
Dannenbaum Is superintendent, There
were not only a number of children pres
ent, but adults as we'll, and the little
church was alled to more than it's seat
ing capacity.
Mr. Dannenbaum prefaced the celebra-
ton by referring TO the good work done
by the Bikor Chiim Society which was
started" satd be. with charity as It's
primary object. but this excellent Sunday
school owes its existence to the good work
and the fostering care OF this organization
Mr.. Dannenbaum Introduced sir. Joe Sam
as tho master OF ceremonies.
Mr.. sam, after paying compliment 10
the excellent school, said that II owed It's
success chiefly to the zeal and untring
work OF Mr.. Dannenbaim az the superin-
tendent. and that In behalf OF the Bikor
Cholim Society he had been delegated 10
ask Mr.. Dannenbaum's acceptance OF & tri-
fling memento. not IN compensation for
his priceless service, hut as a mark Of os-
TEEN In which he WAS held by the Sunday
school. the congregation and the Bikor
Cholim society. With this he presented
Mr. Dannenbaum with a beautiful gold.
diamond studded watch charm, bearing he
inscription, From r. G. TO Superintendent
Henry Dannenbaum."
The handsome gift was modestly yet
very appropriately accepted by Mr. Dan
nenbaum, who in turn introduced Rev.
J. Lowenste'n the uahbi OF Temple Beth
Israel, who related the significance OF the
feast OF Hannkkah. He said the occasion
was one that made the day glorious in
tho history or the Jewish race IL rcure-
sented the victory Of the Maccahees, IN
dispelling the Indebtedness imposed upon
the Jewish people by Antiochus Epiphanes
whp was conquered by the Maccaboan he
roes. Our ancestors said be- were
brave heroes. who fought and died for lib
erty and Independence Their achieve
meDts are the most precious jewels that
adorn as a bright inheritance the brow
OF Israel With the festive lights we shed
additional MISTER upon that heroism OF en-
euranoe which has led Israel in all the
long ana weaIisome march OF ages, These
HaDukkah lights which the children were
ab0ut to start should be beacon lights in
years 90 come reminding them Of their
faith. so IL commentaries the preservation
OF the national existence and the liberation
OF the jews from oppression the most
calling. the deltverance Of Israel from the
hcathepisan OF Greece. .sr
Antiochus EpIphanes, the Syrian king
OF the second century. b. G., goaded on
~ selfish greed and In his hntrOd OF HIS
Jewish subjects aud their religion. hat,
determined to cxtcrmiuatc Jews and .iuda-
Sm Though many wavered Ia their faith
fulnass 70 the Cod OF their fathe,s. vet
the majority olanS With fidelity to thsir
religion. and the tyrannical edict OF the
Syrian despot did not have the effect de-
sired by their author When finally the
woke became too heavy. The Ave heroic
Meceabeen brothers. descendants Of ths
noble and distinguished family OF the
Hasmoneans. gathered around thenselyes
a small army OF gallant, patriotic Jewlsi,
men. and they began a war OF freedom.
for National Independence, for reconuucr.
ing tue inalienable right OF worshipplna
Soi according to the dictates of their nwn
conscsences. II was a hard struggle, hui
after several years OF warfare. success
crowned the efforts az the Jews Tha
victorious Hebrews entered ,Ierisalen
purified the tenpie and dedicated Il on tbe
9th day OF Kisiey, ca H. G.
The Maccabean struggle was Distinctly
q reieious etrrggle-one OF t,e earliest
expressions OF the righ; OF private iuJv-
meant In religion II was in this way a
protest against the association ~ ch,,,,,
and State which Is Il charnctar,slir -,
ancient society The Jews decIarad n,,t,
no uncertain voice that though tholr shn,is 4.
might be enslaved or their noli,ira, IN
erty limited. their minds and ronsc,enres
should be kent free AMI untrammsls Il
While HannlSlsah IN thus 10 Inc law ~,
type festival OF that heroic sirugrle ~,
relirIous tolerance which he ms w,,e,
nor 1000 years TO the rest OF clyiiized IN.
e mainly. It also has its message .nd n,
lesson. Suppose Antio.hus had succssina
tn his Wild attempt 10 hellenise iuI".
the whole current of the worllis rci,,,in,'s
history would have been changed Nst,hn,
Christianity nor Observation-Disclosures, wnnI'
have made their appeaunoe II r,a,,,d
be an idle speculation 10 consider NM
would then have been the cou,ss of MN, mnn'
bind. hit the mere mention az mo 90,
nere Indicated IL sufficient 10 show INA,
y Nacrpbeans did rot oniv al, ,;,,,,,t.. ~.
!, the Iews mi far tbo MN. s,,'"s's l"'
n H.