Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-02
HEBREW SYNAGOGUE
BIG INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS
NEARING COMPLETION.

The first services in the synagogue of the
Washington Hebrew Congregation, sth
street between H and I northwest, after the
extensive repairs and remodeling of the en-
tire lower floor have been completed, will
probably be held September 80 That date
will be Rosh-Hashono, or the Hebrew new
year. and will be celebrated in all the syna-
gogues throughout the land. At the serv-
ices on this day it Is the custom to blow
the rams horn as a reminder to the people
of their sins. 1t will be a most appropri-
ate day, for the members Of the congrega-
ton will feel as though they are moving
into an entirely new church edif1ce, since
for throughout the past month or more the
remodelers, painters and fresco artists have
been engaged in identifying the entire in
terror of the building.
On the first floor, which forms the vestry
room OF the synagogue, decided change
has been made. Formerly the room was
very large and each class during the Sun
day school hours had no individual room,
but had the lesson taught in different parts
The arrangement now is one of modern
improvement. The veStry room has been
made to some extent smaller, and the re-
naming space has been divided into smaller
rooms for the different classes. The space
Immediately adjoining the vestry room on
the south has been so arranged that large
sliding and folding doors can be closed
and opened desired, and to a great ex-
tent this will facilitate the work of the
teachers. Back of these rooms and to the
rear of the building are arranged the Of
fees of Rev. Louis Stern and Rabbi Abra-
ham Simon.
In the vestry room is still situated the
miniature ark, as heretofore used by the
congregation. Immediately adjoining the
offices of the minister and the rabbi is the
Office Of the board Of managers Of the con-
gregation, of which l. l.. Blout, the presi-
dent of the congregation, is the chairman
all the standing committees.
While the remodeling in the basement is
most apparent, the frescoing work shows
up well and the good work of the artist is
apparent everywhere, especially in the hall
Immediately before the entry TO the vestry
room. Then. too. upon the second floor the
change Is remarkable.
More Seating Space.
+ Formerly the offices Of the minister Of the
congregation and the rabbi were located on
either side of the ark or altar, but as these
have been removed to the first floor, the
space which they occupied will accommo-
date thirty-two additional pews. Several
windows have been cut In the west wall Of
the edifce, SO as to secure plenty Of light
for the additional seating space. All of the
walls have been frescOed, as have the domes
and columns. In the center dome the artist
has obtained many beautiful cloud effects.
All Of the decorative colors have been Of
sober hue and adopted to the style Of archi-
lecture of the building, which is on the
order Of modernized Moorish. In the dome.
Immediately over the ark. in the center of
which Is placed the tablets of stone with
the ten commandments thereon. the effect
obtained by the artist is very striking. 1t
is cloudlike, with sun-sprays Of gold imme-
diately surrounding the tablets, upon which
the lettering is of gold. The columns
throughout the room will be of an old ivory
color and will be in perfect accord with the
general tone. The arches. Of which there
are many, will all be frescoed In cream
color.
The beginning of the meeting in celebra-
ton Of the new year will be held Septem-
Der o. and a sermon preached in the even
ing.
The members of the congregation which
have composed the committee in charge
Of the repairs are Messrs Jacob Eiseman,
chairman; William Hahn, Max Fischer,
BENJAMIN Solomon and julius Sondhelm.
About $4,000 has been expended on the
work