The Washington herald., 1907-09-02
CHURCH HONORSSOLD
New Synagogue ResOundS
with Call of AuctiOneer.
TALMUD TORAH IS DEDICATED
Bidding for seats fn Procession,
Unlocking Edihce, and Carrying
"saered Laws" Bring Large Sum to
Church NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Feast
ing, and Speaking Are Features.

As the sup shone in its most glorious
manner yesterday it flooded the newly
erected Orthodox Synagogue Talmud
Torah, at 4s7-4e9 E street southwest, with
a sea of golden light, and its builders
those faithful ones who calculated day
and night how to raise the necessary
wherewithal shouted "Alleiuia!' and
Amen for they were about 10 dedi-
cate their temple.
Elaborate preparations had been made
to observe the day in a proper manner.
The officials Of the congregation. the
members Of the building committee, the
rabbi, the cantor, and many members
OF the synagogue had assembled at the
residence Of !. Levy, 1918 Four-and-a-
half street southwest, preparatory to
proceeding from there in carriages 10
their new temple. The start was to be
made at 1 o'clock sharp.
But a day like yesterday had 10 be
properly observed. It was the day OF
days. Mr. Levy had bountifully supplied
everything that was good 10 eat and to
drink-a great variety Of dishes. There
was music also-a first violin. a second
violin, cornet, and a cello.
The programme Of music was as varied
and entertaining as was everything else.
The banqueting was broken here and
there by the shouts of the auctioneer
who, in the sweat of his brow, was doing
his utmost to realize profitable prizes for
the privilege of riding to the ceremonies
IN a carriage.
Gone for Five Dollars.
zone dollar for a seat; one dollar
Who'll give two? Make it three. I've got
four, Mr.. Wiegand, for five dollars"
Another man, the perspiration also
standing out on his forehead IN pearly
rows, made the rounds and collected the
money secured in this manner and stuffed
it into small leather satchel swung
across his shoulder by a strap.
There were many carriage seats to be
auctioned of, and il took much time
20 do it, The music struck up the we'd
ding march from 'Lohengrin," the as
sembly RECALLED themselves with a little
more Of that and another glass of this
The auctioneer, refreshed, again took
up his work, and again quieted down
after a while 10 attend TO the inner
man and give the band an opportunity
to diffuse the strains OF "A TIP on the
Derby" It was after 3 o'clock. Every
body was anxious TO be off to the dedi-
cation
But there was stil another honor await
ing the bidders. The Sacred Laws" and
sheepszin manuscripts. the Five Books
Of Moses, were in the safe keeping Of the
president of the congregation. II was
great privilege to convey them to the new
temple The auctioneer soon concluded
the negotiations for this honor and added
another tidy sum to the fund for the pay
ment of the debt on the synagogue. at
last the start was made.
More HonOrs for Sale.
Arrived at the temple, which was pro-
fusely decorated with the Stars and
Stripes. and one large Zionist flag, every
body dismOuuJed and rushed forward to
get a good view of the proceedings
To insert the key in the door and throw
the same open 10 the faithful, was anoth-
or honor and this privilege also was sold
to the highest bidder. The auctioneeT.
with alpaca coat and large black felt
hat almost hiding the upper half of his
face, again was heard. The first bid was
$50. There was no second bid, but Max
Needle, who made the opening offer. rails
ed his contribution 10 $50. and thus OBJ
tanned the much coveted honor
Junior Rabbi Simon, Of the Eighth
Street Temple. stepped to the front, and
made q brief address. He said:
open for US the gates OF righteous
ness that we may go in and worship; let
US enter into this temple with reverence,
/ joy fully realizing that 1t represents our
work. our devotion, and our best senti-
ments. I bid you open these gates"
Mr.. Needle then stepped to the front.
and with a small Yale key opened the
massive doors. The crowd surged for
ward 10 enter. but it was held back
There still remained work for the auc-
tioneer.
Doors Open to Multitude.
To carry the Sacred Laws, the Five
Books of Moses, and the Roll Of Manu-
scripts from the outer door to the inside
door was a special honor. 1t was open
, to any one to bid for IT, And again the
voice of the auctioneer resounded. The
privilege disposed of, and the prize col
Iected, the treasures of the congregation.
the Sacred Laws, were carried as far as
the speakers platform, which was mount
ed by those who had paid for the honor.
Soon the building was crowded to its
/ fullest capacity, the men on the main
floor occupying long wooden, unfinished
| benches, the women and girls filing the
/ galleries. The interior was p-ofusely
decorated with palms. garlands IF oak
/ leaves, and cut flowers. The American
/ flag was in evidence everywhere.
The walls are in rough sand finish. the
/ ceiling being in blue and gold. -Four i'm
mense brass candelabra are suspended
( from the high-roofed ceiling. At the other
/ end of the temple stands the rabbits plat
/ form with the ark containing the Books
/ Of Laws and Five Books of Moses. Above
/ this Is suspended the perpetual lamp. or
/ the light of religion. Directly above the
ark the two lions of Judah, painted white,
with red tongues and names streaked
with gold. surmounted by the shield Of
/ David. the six-pointed star. are promi-
nently displayed. The two lions bear
/ crowns, as does the eagle which occu-
/ pies a position above the lions. The
/ eagle represents the messenger of God.
+ This emblem is painted white, and bears
/ on its breast the American shield with d
! Hebrew inscription.
! Rev. DT. Simon and Rabbi Silver
! stone were conducted TO the rabbi S
! platform, where they occupied seats. Be