Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-01
THEY WILL COMBINE,
Congregations Beth Ahaba and
Beth Sha|Ome to Unite,
.LATTER'S OFFER ACCEPTED.
Not a Dissenting Vote Cast at Last
Sundays Meeting.
IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING.
The History OF Congregation Beth
shaIome. which is the sixth Oldest
Establishment of the Kind I'm This
Country.

The two distinguished congregations of
Beth Ahaba and Beth Shalome have
agreed to consolidate. The event is one
of far more than ordinary Importance,
and in Hebrew circles It is regarded with
the greatest interest.
AS the matter stands now, the report
of the joint committee appointed to con-
slider the matter only needs the ratifica-
ton of the latter congregation, and that
Is a foregone conclusion, since 1t was
from that source that the original pro-
position came.
The Congregation Beth Ahaba willingly
accepted the proposed alliance with this
ancient establishment at a meeting held
last Sunday in the Eleventh Street Syna-
gogue.
HOW 1T HAS PROGRESSED.
The proposal to consolidate was sub
mitted at Beth Ahabas annual meeting,
held September 18th. The sentiment of
accepting the proposition, but there being
same question as to the proper proce-
duke, the matter was finally referred To
a copmittee of three to confer with
committee from the Congregation Beth
Shalome. Messrs. /. H. Morris, Charles
Straus, and 5. l.. Bloomberg, were APP
pointed to serve on this committee
Congregation Beth Shalome appointed 4
committee of conference composed of
Captain e. J. Levy, Messrs. n. Ezekiel,
Joseph Cohn, Herbert Z. Ezekiel, and DR..
RI. n. Levy.
4 joint meeting of these committees
was held, MIR. Julius Straus being elected
chairman, and Mr.. II. T. Ezekiel, secre-
tary The report of this joint committee
recommending the acceptance OF the pro-
posal, was submitted to q congregational
meeting at Beth Ahaba on Sunday last,
and unanimously adopted. The report
viii be submitted TO Congregation Beth
Shalome next Sunday.
HISTORY OF BETH SHALOME.
The following interesting sketch of the
old Beth Shalome congregation appeared
i'm the September No. of the Jewish South:
THE passing of the Beth Shalome Con-
gregation will close the history of what
in it's day has been a force in American
Judaism. Founded in 179l it is the sixth
Oldest in the United States. 1t was one
Oh several WHICH sent COHSTdluldIOTy
addresses to President George Washing
ton upon the occasion of his second in
duction into office, in 1893. The reply TO
this was preserved for many years in the
archives of the congregation, but was lost
along with other papers, when Richmond
was evacuated. Among its ministers
were several who subsequently acquired
a national reputation. Among these may
be mentioned Revs. Isaac Lesser. Jacques
Lyons, and Henry S. Jacobs Revs.
George Jacobs and Isaac =. Mendes were
also among it's rabbis The latter divine,
now of Savannah, Ga, was its last regu-
lar minister, though in the fall OF 1873
Rabbi j. II. NJ. Chumacero. now of Cura-
Gao, officiated during the holy days. For
the past twenty years Mr.. Joseph Cohn
has conducted services About seven
years ago the congregation sold its syna-
gogue on Mayo street near Franklin to
the Sir Moses Montefore Congregation,
and since then has held services in Lee
Camp Hall.
MAYO-STREET SYNAGOGUE.
1.-The old synagogue on Mayo street was
erected about 1919, and is the second old
est church building now standing in the
city, The nucleus of the present cemetery
was acquired three years earlier. Prior |
to that the burying-ground was on the |
south side of Franklin street, little |
west Of Twenty-first.
Beth Ahaba is an offshoot OF Beth |
Shalome, and was founded in 1898. 1t is |
fact worthy of comment that Beth |
Shclome synagogue was the first building |
entered by the father of Beth Ahaba's |
president on his coming to this city. Ar
riving here on the eye OF the New-Year,
fri hS
old gentleman with a book under his |
arm. Correctly surmising that he was a |
Jew on his way to the synagogue, the |
youth followed him TO the place Of wor- |
ship, baggage in hand, which he slowed |
under the seat. When the services were |
over the old gentleman took him TO his |
home. and when the holy days were over \
saw that the young man was started OH |
what subsequently, proved to be a most |