The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-13
New Temple of B'Nai Israel Congregation,
Dedicated Yesterday

Dedicate ings of gratitude because of the sym pathy and aid which have been SC generously extended to us by those not 1 of our own congregation, or even of cur own creed.
 ''It has indeed been a struggle, but during all these years, though we had 1 no building of our own, we were stead fast in our faith that the Lord is One, i ard His name is One
 l. Ut needed no building or e,lifice for this purpose, for the synagogue has l simply been the monument and symbol of the religious life and work of Ju- ldaisIn-its inceptive institution from which all its inspiration has gone forth, and all its activities radiated. In otl1 CT words, the Temple Is but the outward manifestation of the heart within.
 My welcome goes out also to those of other faiths, for we have much in common. Our mutual love and ven- eration for the home have been strengthened and ennobled by the Proverbs of Solomon. Our universal IT aise to God has been made more beautiful by the Psalms of David, and 1 the lives of all mankind have been made purer, more charitable, and in ey cry way better; by the teachings of tl1e great Book.
 ! earth this great Book. and it does not esk it back. Israel taught the world tilat the Lord is God, and that there is none else.
 l And so we have met here to-day to dedicate this Temple, and this large assemblage Is impressive testimony to 1 the religious faith and belief, which after all is the great foundation upon which all civilization rests. Here we 1 can assemble to assist those of other | ~s1r.= Al-z l. IL. rs mankind, and in perpetuating those | great truths which have come down | through the centuries. Judaism is broad and tolerant. It interferes with ro one.
 We have placed at the entrance to ! this Temple the words, My house shall he called house of prayer for all peoples and those shall be our well coming words at all times, the House 1 of Prayer for all who believe in God. Thus constructed, this edifice must stand forever through our faith. We have also placed on the outer wall, as well as over the Holy Ark, the Meno- rah-IsraePs Beacon Lght-the Seven i Fold Shining Light of Sinai,-and as 1t sheds its radiance among the na- tions of the earth, let it proclaim that the pillars Or our Temple rest not only upon strength and wisdom, but also upon civic duty, purity and honorable conduct; and let it also emblazon the gospel and truth that Israers mission now and forever is that of peace everlasting peace"
 Lights Perpetual Lomp.
 The lighting of the perpetual lamp by Bernard Klein, the oldest member of the congregation, Ga small red lamp that will hang as long as the edifice stands before the seven lights before the ark) was done by the pulling of a cord when Rabbi David Levy was reading the Scripture beginning with the words, "And God said let there be light
 The placing of the scrolls in the Ark followed. The congregation arose when Messrs. Max LuStig, Henry Har- ris, Dr. M. $. Eosen and Israel H. I>leban proceeded down the center aisle each bearing a roll of the sacred scroll, encased in white and red silk. Rabbi Levy read the Scriptures and the choir sang.
 The Scqfptural lesson of the day was read by Rev. Harry Ettleson of Hart ford
 The prayer was offered by Rev. David Levy, followed by the singing of Zion" by Harold Knowles.
 Dedicatory Sermon.
 The dedicatory sermon by Rev. MT. Levy was an impassioned address, which he began by saying that his in- disposition the past week would be his excuse for the matter and the manner of his message to the people of Bridge port. After quoting Solomon at the conclusion of his address at the Tenn pie, Rev. MT. Levy said that it was the s:tme hope that the present Temple was built. As Solomon declared it was to emphasize the principles of the "ewlSh people, the principles for which their refathers mad suffered so much persecution.
 Judaism was founded on three car dinai principles, he said, around which all the others radiated. The first prin- clple was the absolute unity. of God and his sovereignty over the earth.
 Its second principle was that it en- Jolns charity and justice for all Gods ch1idren-as being in one family, one brotherhood and tends toward the goal or the millennium, the ambition of humanity. It teaches that there is no monopoly of heaven; that We are all cnlluren or this common earth and all de5uned to the same reward. The Principle is expressed in the words Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thv, self"
 The third principle is, "Ye shall be noly, which defines the destiny of the human soul. It prevents malice. sec tarlan hates, expresses the animal nature m man, and raises him to that angels oAi0
 The cardinal principles of Judaism are veritable truth, the foundations of alI renBlon and even of civilization it. self It has survived for centuries and has, seen the rise and fall of great nations The three principles as| stated is Judaism in concrete form. for which our fathers suffered so much: which Jesus preached and Mahomet lifted his voice. The same principIes he said, would endure till the universe would come under the one banner as the United Sons of God
 People Misunderstood.
 The Hebrew people, he said, were the least understood in history, and this was even so down to the present day. The misunderstanding expresses itself in bigotry and many times ex- pressed in the meanest manner. Yet the history of this weak people must baffle the human mind Judaism has given to the world it's greatest law givers, its greatest kings and it's great. est prophets. The very person that Christianity had adopted as it's God head was a Jew, of a Jewish mother, and dead he lies in Jewish soil. Judaism has been supreme in com merce, in music, in law, in literature. The little race has outlived the great est nations that have persecuted it, and been saved to. sing the funeral