The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-03
SAVED AN HISTORIC RELIC.
MiclSva Israel Congregation Have
Regretted the Loss of Its Scroll.

Regretted the Loss of Its Scroll.
The congregation Bielva Israel is the
eldest religious organization in the
city. II was formed when sayan-
nah was In its irfsncy ard in
Is keeping is The original scroll of
the law that was brought over from Lon
don when there were but a handful Of col
onis.s here. This scroll and later ones were
IN danger Friday night, when fire broke
out in the basement cf the temple. The
minister and membeIs of the cougtegation
hurried 10 their rescue, and they were re-
moved to a Place of safety.
July IL 1888 the same year in which sa-
vannah was named, there arrived from
London on the second ship that left that
port for Savannah, the following persons,
the first Jewish settlers - Georgia: Dr.
NUNS and his mother, Mrs. Nuns; Daniel
Moses and Sipra NUNS and Silem Noah
their servant; Mr.. Henriques and wife and
Shem, their servant; Mr.. and Mrs Bor-
nails, David Olivera, Jacob Olivera, his
wife and three children, David, Isaac and
Lean; David Depiveu, Benjamin Gideon,
Jacob Costa, David Depass and wife, Vene
Reul Molena; David MOranda, Jacob Mo-
randa, David Cohen, gife and four chill
dren, Isaac, Abigail, Hannah and Grace;
Abraham Minis and wife, with their two
daughters, Leah and Esther; Simeon Min
is, Jacob Yowall, Benjamin Sheftau and
wife and Abraham DeLyon. 1t was these
people who brought over the Sephar To-
ran, or scroll OF the law, which is still
preserved by the present congrega ton.
The hrst place of worship of these pio-
neers was a rented house that stood near
the present site of the market and there
the congregation continued to worship I'M
der
I'll about 1140, when, owing to the many
removals to Charleston, the congregation
was dissolved. Services were re-esta blish-
ca again, however, in 1856 in a house on
ST. James Square, and in 1890 a charter
was granted the congregation by Gov. Ed
ward Telfair
From the minutes of the CONGREGATION.
which were preserved from 1870. il is found
that a synagogue was built at the north
east corner of Liberty and Whitaker
streets in 1920, and that the edihce was
consecIated on July o. 1921, by DR.. Jacob
De LaMotta.
On Dec. 4. 1899. this building was de-
stroyed by an accidental fire, but the
seraphim and ark were saved. On the
same site brick structure was built in
1888 This was used, additions being made
as. needed, until the completion of the
present handsome temple on Monterey
Square.
DAVID 10. Butler, grand master of the
Masons of Georgia, laid the cornerstone
of the temple on March l, 1876
When Rev DR.. 1. P. Mendes, the present
minister in charge of the congregation,
came to Savannah the temple was but four
walls. 1t was due to his interchangeable en-
ergy and zeal more largely than 10 any
other enc cause that the blu ding was COM
pleted. A year after 1t was finished the
mortgage bonds that had covered it were
burned.
DR.. Mendes watched the building of the
temple. He has practically seen every
stroke of The painters brush applied to it
and the building has almost become part
of himself. II was with heart almost rent
that he watched the imminent danger in
which the temple stood Friday night, and
his thanks assembled when he saw that the
efforts Of The firemen would tie crowned
with success, .et...sor
Service was held yesterday morning in
the temple. DR.. Mendes believes there
will be no occasion to discontinue them.
The. interior of the auditorium, as was
feared, was somewhat defaced by smoke,
but its restoration may be accomplished.
1t is believed, without the necessity of in
terrupting the usual services. The base
ment suffered considerable damage. The
carpet on the floor of the auditorium was
soiled and besmirched by the firemen, in
their efforts to put out the fire. the chem
ical engine hose having been dragged
over 1t.