The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-27
pR. DAVID pBILLTPsoy breaches
SERMON OF REPUBLICATION
AT beth AHABAH,
JE w AND CHRISTIAN
ONE BEIIvES IN JUSTICE AND So
CIAb SALVATION NOW, OTHER
IN LOVE AND SALVATION
HEREAFTER.

HEREAFTER.

hedegicaton exercises of the Beth
Ahabah synagogue were begun last
evening in observance Of the com
pletton of extensive interior decora-
lions of the temple and will be con-
cludee by the Sabbath service this
morning.
I Several noted diyines Of the Jewish
religion are assisting in the exercises
and tho redidicattou sermon by Rev.
| David Phillipson. u. D.. Of Cincin-
/ NATL was greatly enjoyed by the large
congr6 cation which was present last
evening,
/ DR.. Cailsch made an historical nd.
dress tracing the growth of the Beth
Ahhaha congregation from its very
/ beginning in IS4l. and Rabbi Louis
/ ID. Mendoza, OF Norfolk, pronounced
the henedlcHon
/ America and the Jews
! Or. Philiipson chose MS his subject
''Fhe American Jewish Reform Con-
greEation." America said the
speaker, '1s the promised land of the
ages just as was Canaan in the long
ago. Here are gathered the repre-
/ sentatives Of many countries to stand
for liberty and bringing with them
the message OF liberty and brother
hood. This has been the position of
the Jews from time in memorial and
]
/ social service and Justice shows the
turning Of the world toward the
Jews opinions
'Onr Christian friends have lust
celebrated their Christmas and we re-
joice with them over the spirit of the
occasion. for that which the season
means 10 them. Upon the birth of
Christianity there came a division of
the ways: the aid, that of the Jews,
standing for justice with social saliva
ton here. while the new, that of the
Christians, stands for love with saliva
ton hereafter. The many reform
movements now before the public
show that the worlds opinion is rap
idly turning toward that of the old,
that of the Jews. And truth lies
deepest In the Jewish Reform Com
greEauon.
"But we are not alone Jews. we are
| also Americans, and as ouch must
seize the opportunities which have
| been opened to us here as in no other
| place, We have certain ideals to live
up to and which the congregation
must take part in
| Perseverance, of Jews.
f II ~. Jewish perseverance, which
/ according TO the speaker. has enabled
! them to live through the eighteen
/
the true religion while others on
every hand were groleltng In idolatry.
They are "a people without a country
yet they persist In the perpetua1on of
their traditions and live on even as
was prophesied. I'VE are to be my
wttnesses'--that Is the purpose of
| their wide separation throughout the
world" said Or. Philiipson, and that
they might fight in the cause OF truth.
He also spoke of the Yiddish langu-
| age. telling of the changes In It, call
ing II the language of oppression and
| degradation. The speaker praised the
beauty Of the new synagogue.
/ DR.. caflsch, in relating the history
| OF the Beth AhabAh, traced the growth
from the humble beginning iii a single
room In the year 1921. In 1871 the
first synagogue was built. There was
no rabbi for the congregation and the
services were conducted by a reader.
Then in 1876 n regularly ordained
minister was secured and two years
later tho Increased size Of the congre-
cation made II advisable to erect an
other and larger synagogue. This was
done, but the war clouds which had
been gathering soon broke, and as
Virginia and Richmond suffered. SO
did the Jews; so that from 1868 unti
the present synagogue was built In
15p4 tHS IAtIAflptA pGNS nave DuL att
| tie history.
Handsome Building.
| The synagogue as at present is one
| of the handsomest places of worshi .
in the city and one OF the most beauti-
| full. The interior decorations are
iavishly beautiful yet show the great
est taste in selection and harmony,
1t Is to the great aid given by the
women OF the congregation that the
| ' tar,fs a
! the rabbi praised them unstintedly
He called attention to the numerous
memorial windows and other me-
MORALS, especially mentioning the
perpetual lamp, the new pulpit, which
stands In memory OF Mrs. Charles
Hutzler, and the hymn tablets in
memory OF Mrs. Julius Strauss.
Special music was rendered ap-
propriate to the service by a large
choir, which Included: SoBranos-
Mrs. u. F. Van Ripper. Mrs. w. c.
Mercer, Miss Ida Clarke. Mrs. NJ. L.
Coffman.
Altos-Mrs. Thomas whittet, Mrs
j. X. Bowman, Mrs. Celia Weilman.
| Tenors-J oseph Whittcmore, Moses
May, Joseph ii. Stokes.
! Bassos--H Toward -. Bryant, Joseph
| r. White, II. X. Powell.
Organ!st-Professor Jacob Rein
hardt.
This choir will ALSO sing at the ser
vice this morning
! Rabbi Mendoza preached the ser
mon at the service today, the pro-
gram for which is an follows: NAH
| Tobbu." the choir: morning service,
/ the Rev. Edward n, Calisch: anthem.
King All Glorious Barnby sermon,
I Rabbi Louis -. Mendoza; I'm kelo.
henu," congregational; closing SER
vice IIannukah hymn. congregations
al; benedietiou. the Rev, David
! Phillipson. d ID. g Rabbi Mendoza's
/ TONIC Will be "The Shirt Of God"