The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-09
new ERA BEGINS
FOR BETH AHABA.
CONTINUED from First Pageo

craven tho Ten Commandments, were
presented to the congregation by Mr..
Isaac Held In honor Of his parents. Mrs.
Charles Hutzlcr has presented to the
congregation two handsome candelabra
as memorial OF her son, Abraham
Hutzler.
Tomorrow a memorial tablet comnem-
orntlng the life and services OF the late
NJ. j. A1ichelbachcr, first rabbi Of Beth
Ahahah, will be unveiled, the cords be-
ing drawn by Mrs. May Michelbacher
Asher, youngest daughter Of tho lnmcnt-
ed rabbi His widow still survives. The
address In connection with this ttlvcil-
ing wilt be made by Rev. Dr. Edward
N. Calisch.
Tomorrow evening n reception will be
rendered tho congregation. by DIR. Calisch
In honor Of the visiting rabbis at his
residence, No. 1890 West Grace Street.
This promises to be noteworthy social
function.
Threescore Years and More.
The history OF the Beth Ahabah con-
grcgation extends backward for Il period
Of sixty-three years, the sixtleth ami.
versary having been commemorated APP
propriately in 1901, that being also tho
tenth anniversary of Rev Dr. Calischs
service as rabbi It was not tho pioneer
jewish congregation of Richmond. be-
ing an offshoot or branch of the Beth
Shalome congregation. established as
early as 1891. In the mutations of time
and tho vicissitudes of fortune, the pa
rent synagogue was absorbed, being COM
pletely merged into the younger organ
ization. This pioneer congregation had its
first syna gogue on Nineteenth Street, be-
tween FRANKLIN and Grace Streets. but
within q few years built a synagogue on
Mayo Street, where 1t worshipped for
seventy-five years. Since that time their
tabernacle has been occupied by tho Sir
Moses Nfontefiore congregation. which
still worshps there It was in 1898 that
the remaining members Of the once pros
porous Beth Shalmoe congregation came
as a body to Beth Ahaba.
AS stated, Beth Ahabah was an out
growth Of Beth Shalome. In 1899 the Ger
man Jews Of the Beth Shalome congre-
cation formed tho Chebrnh Allabat Yis-
rael dissertation Of the Love of Israeli.
q charitable and social organization. The
old congregation was founded by Portu-
guese and Spanish Jews. and at the time
of tho organization Of this society, the
German Jews had become numerous and
influential, and were not wholly in sym
pathyE. with the forms n of worship pre-
valling. Not long after the formation
of that. society the movement for sepn-
rate congregation began, and after some
effort q house on Marshall Street be-
tween Fifth and Sixth Streets was leased
at S225 per year and about $500 expended
in interior Encouragement and equip
ment for use as a synagogue and 1T
was named Beth Ahaba blouse OF Love-
and consecratcd May Is. 1884, by Rev.
j.. Gotthold, who became its 1rst rabbi
He left soon afterwards, and Rev. M. J.
Michelbacher.} of Philadelphia. came to
the congregation May 10, 1916. The growth
Of the congregation necessltatcd more.
;commodous quarters, and in response to
that demand the congregation on Feb
ruary, 1877. bought the lot, Gi by ITO feet,
on east side Of Eleventh Street between
Marshall and Clay Streets, at a cost of
1880. The necessary money was raised
on the spot, about forty persons contrl-
buting the requisite sum. Additional
funds were raised to build the synagogue,
which was built in that year and conse-
Grated September %, 1913. by the Rev. M,
j. Michelbacller ji 5Ss &