Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-04
THE HEBREW TEMPLE SITE.
By James Croggon.

dred members. The civil war brought
many Jewish soldiers here. who from
time to time attended the services. and
the congregation found the possession OF
rented quarters unsatisfactory.
The members then canvassed for money
to enable them to purchase a permanent
home The Southern Methodist Church,
originally a Presbyterian Church. as
stated, was selected for this purpose,
and they moved in.
The original edifice was at once remod-
eled and arranged for the accomm odation
of the coneregati and dedicated by the
Rev. Isaac Lester of Philadelphia in the
spring of 1863. and since that time 1t has
been the spiritual home of the followers
OF Abraham. Notwithstanding that the
civil war brought many of their belief to
the capital of the nation, the permanent
membership. was reduced. and before its
close there We're but seventy-seven names
on the rolls. Rev. Mr.. We'll in 1867 was
succeeded by Rev. l. s. jacobson as pas
tor. who In two years was followed by
DR.. Herman Baar. b. Gusdorf and H. NJ.
Price, presidents and in 1870 Rev. Isaac
Stemple was in charge.
About this time there was some di-
vision among the members, but the larger
majority favored reform, which called
for some change in the mode of worship
and the singing Of hymns in English.
but the gift of a melodeon by Henry Ad-
Ter caused some excitement and opposi-
ton and thirty-fiye members withdrew
and organized an orthodox congres alton
This did not. however, destroy the old
congregation and the remaining men,
berS have moved on since with unity
of purpose and principle and the church
has gained strength. Michael Goldsber-
was then the rabbi and Simon Wolf
president.
In 1872 the congre ration was strug-
cling to maintain itself and there were
ears that il would have to disband
Economy in expenditures was called for
and the membership dues raised by
which additional revenue was created.
Rabbi Louis Stern was called to the con-
cregation and made his advent here in
1872. Under him began a steady forward
movement, The devotional exercises
were marked by distinctively Jewish
music and the new ritual meeting the
growing needs of the faithful.
By 1877 the temple was rebuilt and
membership was more than doubled. II.
Adler being president. Under Rabbi
Stern, the CONGREGATION increased in num-
bers and in influence. l. L. Bout. c.
Baum, II. King, jr.. and l.. Rosenberg
respectively. filling the presidency. In 1893,
under the presidency Of Mr.. King. the
movement LOT TeDullUllIS Tie
temple and increasing its seating ca
pacity was projected: but owing to the
cot, the work could not be carried
through until 1897.
The corner stone Of the new temple
was laid by September 10 of that year by
the Grand Lodge of Masons. and there
was an outpouring of citizens, including
2. esident Mckinley, members of the cab
met. and others. William Hahn, /. l..
B out. S. Bieber. A. Behrend. NJ. Loeb
n n,,I
Luchs were the building committee.
The congregation has since taken no
backward step, and has had a healthy
growth. j. l.. Blout was the president at
this time and. aided by Simon Wolf. B.
Gusdorf. William Wolf and Moses Cohen.
the interests of the temple here have re-
ceived an impetus. In 1908 Rev. DR.. Stern
had rounded out thirty years of service.
In the spring of that year Rev. Abraham
Simon of Omaha, Neb., was chosen rabbi.
and he was indicted into the Office Feb
.uary j. 1904. Rev. DR.. Roseneau de-
lvered the sermon and Rev. Louis Stern
and Simon Wolf the fellowship addresses.
The inadequacy Of the temple and the
desirable peWs led to the appointment
of a building committee to eniarse and
improve the structure. Jacob Efseman,
William Hahn, j. SOndheimer, Ben 500
mon and Max FISHER being appointed.
The sum of Sl1.tD0, raised by fair, aided
in this purpose.
Mr. Blout has continued in the presi-
dency since his election in 1897. oversee
n the temporal affairs, While the devo-
ms have been conducted by the Rabbi
non. The congregation is growing
ne, and the financial affairs have been
indicted wit success. Early in the
olning of October IL, 1917. a fire took
ace destrl wing much of the rear por-
on III the temple and greatly damaging
ne fine organ. This, however. did not
aunt the congregation. blu, stirred the
,-nbers to energy. The repairs to the
ul,alng as Wen as the rebuilding OF the
gan ana modern improvements were
.ccompl.s ned. and soon they mad the
emple restored. and are justly proud OF
j. rep. eaen.lns as II does value OF a
undleu and twenty thousand dollars.
me congregation now numbers over
% memuerS, and in connection they
axe a nour.sning school, and there are
mont a d.zen orgdntZdt IONS of various
ntnds winch meet the lower rooms
me presen. board Is composed OF 1. l..
Bout, resident: Joseph Elseman, treas
Ier; ID. KAN, secretary. and Messrs NJ
men A. NJ F.shei, c. Golusmitn, -. J
\aufman NJ Fisher. Il. SalomCn, NJ ID.
.,oseperg l.. Baumgarten and l.. IL.
DAVID.
The expenses of tie congregation are
$500 annually. The sueg~ st.on TO dis
rs. of the present tempe ana to erect
M. on a more magnificent scale in the
!, rthwes .ern part of the city. where are
]. he found the II sciences of quite
number of the members as well as OF
.tabbi SIMON and Rabbi Stem, meets
,.ith much favor There is little doub.
lat N the near future a site Will be Sc
..cted and a temple cree ed.
There are tRe her Jewish synagagues
n I CITY. one at 9th and | stress ana
~ a square east at 9TH and ! streets,
hich takes tie place of the former AS
emt,lys p. esby. erian Church. which Was
old by that congregation few years
.ince.