New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
Rabies FOR ONLY A YEAR
LIMITING THE TERMS OF DRS. GOTrHE1L
AND SIIyERMAN CAUSES COMMENT.

AND SILvERMAN CAUSES COMMENT.
The many friends OF the Rev. Or. Gustav Gott-
he'll, the senior rabbi of the Temple Emanuel.
puzzled about the attitude OF the trustees o.
the Temple toward the rabbi. without going 80
far as 10 say that there is any indication OF un"
friendliness they cannot understand why Mt the
recent annual meeting of the trustees Or. Gott-
he'll. with his assistant. the Rev. Dr. Joseph
Silverman, was only reelected Cor term or
one year. 1t has been the custom previously to
elect the rabbis for terms of several years Inc
fact that DR.. Gotthe himself was reappoiDed
for only twelve months would not in itself ,e
significant because he is now advanced in lie
and might desire to retire before long. But the
fact that the same action has been taken with re-
gard to both rabies argued Il Is limited some pos
sible dissatisfaction among some members or the
congregation Recently also. number or we'll
known rabies from other congregations nave
officated at the religious services In the Temple
and this is thought TO bear out the 'dea 'hat
want OF harmony exists to some extent. In the
ordinary course OF things the assistant, rapp'
would take the place Of the senior rabbi the
latter resigned as the case when DR. Got1'
heil's predecessor died. In consequence or TINS
It is supposed by some that II there Is any dis
satisfaction il Is with regard TO DR.. SilVerman
and not Dr. Gottheil. the presence OF stran-
to an expected change Of pastors in the near
future.
or course II is not to be understood that there
+, anv direct evidence that dscord exists in the
congregation The recent action Of the trustees.
coupled With the fact that strangers have lateiy
ofticiated in the Temple, has simply set people
talking
When a Tribune reporter called upon Dr. Gott-
he'll the latter said that 1t was true that he had
been reelected for one year. but he added that
II was not true that there was any difference OF
feeling between the congregation and himself
He said that he was asked before the election
what his wishes were and that the reappoint
ment for one year was in accordance with his
own desire. Dr. Gottheil apparently left 1t to
be inferred that he might wish to resign before
long. although he declined to discuss this point
Some Of the prominent members OF the con-
gregaton were also seen. and the reporter was
confronted with a generally non -committa atti-
tude. 1t was denied that any dissatisfaction ex-
listed with Or. Gotthe personally. and II was de-
clared that II he were replaced In the position or
senior rabbi It would only be because OF his own
resignation. Louis stern, or the hrm or stern
Brothers. who is OF the best known mem
bers OF the congregation, would not admit that
there anything unusual in the appoln tment
OF the two rabies for one year only He SAID
that there was no rule In the case although he
admitted that on previous occasions the ap-
pOiniment had been for terms OF five years
When asked whether the short term decided
upon was at Or. Gottheil's own request Mr..
Stern said that he had heard nothing about that.
II was. however. very likely that some OF the
members OF the congregation had asked the
rabbi what his wishes were DR.. Gottneil' he
added is growing old. and 1t Is quite possible
that he feels that he will not be able TO continue
his work much longer. But, as far as know,
there Is not the slightest disagreement between
himself and the congregation.
DR. Gottheil before he came TO this country
ID v,aI xrfsh
gregation In Manchester, England He was
called to the Temple Emanuel as assistant
rabbi TO the Rev. Or. Adler. the father OF Pro
fcssor Felix Adler. This was in 1913. on the
death 90 Or. Adler. DR.. Gotthell became the
senior rabbi and has filed this place ever since
then He occupies one of the most prominent
places among the pastors OF the Hebrew con-
Eregatiols in this country, and has made
reputation both as preacher and writer Since
he became the senior rabbi OF the Temple
Emanuel. he has been Instrumental In crganH-
ing a large number OF charitable undertakings.
and has made the Temple the centre OF large
field Of philanthropic work. In May 1897, he
celebrated his seventy-hfth birthday, and was
the recipient OF numerous and hearty congratu-
laiions. not only from the members or his own
congregation and faith, but from ministers and
laymon ~ other denominations The leadlng
members Of the Temple congregation delivered
addresses In which the work OF the venerable
rabbit highly commended on many occa-
s!ons before then the members had taken every
opportunity To- show their appreciation OF their
pastors services. Ii is on account OF this con-
slant accord between pastor and congregation
IN the past that Dr Gottheils friends outside
the congregation were surprised to hear that he
had only been reelected for one year. when IL
seemed that an election for life would have been
more likely.
The Temple Emanuel is at the head OF the
Hebrew houses OF worship In this city. and IL
the richest Jewish congregation in the United
states The Temple IL at Fifth-ave. and Forty
third-st Services conducted by Dr. Gott-
he'll and Or SHERMAN every Friday evening
and Saturday morning and In addition there is
a SUNDAY morning service. Dr. Gotthell IL one
OF the champions ~ reform In Judaism and was
severely criticised by many persons when he in
aueurated the Sunday morning services.