Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-13
TROUBLES OF JEWISH
COLONY AIRED IN COURT

fractional troubles between mem
bers or societies connected with the
Jewish synagogue appeared to be
the foundation of a personal suit
brought in court Monday forenoon
by Joseph Wolman against Jacob
Brisk, who was charged with dis
! turbing religious meeting. There
were many witnesses on either side
I.Mr. wolman was represented by
Mark J. Bartlett while Mr.. Brisk had
Fred w. Clair as his counsel. Re-
corder Plumstead found Brisk not
guilty of the offense alleged.
The disturbance over which the
suit was brought took place last
Saturday forenoon about 10 O'Clock
at a meeting of the Congregation
Beth Israel during the service of the
Passover at the Jewish synagogue
on Kelsey street.
Joseph Wolman, the complainant,
was the first witness. He is the
president of the Beth Israel and as
such has certain authorities in con-
nection with the order in the PLACE
during church services. Mr.. VOL
man described the situation. saying
that the rabbi and two elderly gen.
tiemen, Hyman Rosenthal and Bar
net Rubbins were on the raised
platform in the center of the church
and that the rabbi was reading the
Bible. That he had gone out to get
a drink and the fight began while
he was gone. That when he came
back someone told him that Brisk
had been talking loud ana dancing
around looking for trouble. That he
met Brisk in the aisle after he came
in and told him to go sit down
where he belonged or get out. Brisk
answered that Wolman couldn't put
him out and as Wolman says. grab
bed hold of me-" Wolman then went
out to call the police. In cross-ex-
animation Wolman said that he
pushed Brisk in the face once with
his open hand and as soon as he
broke Brisk's grip on his he ran out.
He said that the rabbi was conduct
ing the services and Sam Silver.
who is vice president of the society,
reported the trouble 10 him when he
came in.
Mr.. Wolman testified that Brisk
was formerly a member of the So
ciety but not now. but Ea has a pew
in the front Of the church.
William Levine, the next witness.
said that the rabbi was reading the
Bible when Mr.. Brisk began to
"holler" and Joe Wolman told him
to keep still or go out: that people
were supposed to keep quiet during
the services. On cross examination
Mr.. Levine said tina. the frst loud
talk he heard was LOWS Levine tell
ing Brisk to keep quiet. Mr.. Levine
was somewhat uncertain in his tes-
timony but admitted that there was
no disturbance until Louis Levine
told Brisk to keep quiet. He SAID
also that he saw Jake" strike Joe"
before Joe struck Jake.
sam Silver. vice president of the So
ciety, said that while in one corner OF
the synagogue he heard loud talk be-
tween Brisk and Louis Levine and
when he reached them they were ready
10 night: that he stepped between them
and told them to sit down, which the!
did. Later President Wolman came IN
the door and Brisk walked around ana
started to talk with people on the rear
seat. when Wolman told Brisk to sit
down or go out. Brisk said. You can.
nut me out when Brisk grabbed Joe
by the front of the coat and Joe pushed
out. Here the witness indicated that
Joe" pushed Brisk away with the fla:
of his hand.
..In a minute" said the witness, "ev-
eryone in the synagogue was in the
fight. They put Brisk into the hallway,
where he hollered and raved. and then
thew put him outdoors and Joe went
after the police Mr.. Silver said that
Brisk was not a member of the society
and that it was among the duties OF
the president and vice president TO keep
order. On cross-exanination the wit
ness said that Brisk said that he was
going to fix the president and told what
he vas going to do.
LYMAN Rosenthal, who was one Of
those on the elevated platform, was
next called and described the service
which was taking place when the dis
turbance occurred. He said that Brisk
came back from his seat in the front of
the church and began to talk. which
disturbed him. He told Brisk to sit
down, which he did.
Louis Levines testimony was rather
picturesque. Louis said that Jake came
back and began to talk and that ne
told him to go take a chair and keep
still. Brisk began to give me hell,
said the witness, and he repeated the
/ fact several times. He said that Jake
called him names but that he did not
retaliate.
Max Rabiaovitz, the secretary Of the
society, who was on the platform. said
he heard Brisk talking and that Ro-
senthai told him to go sit down and
that Louis Levine then said Why
don't you be man." Then Vice Pres
sa.zs .;f,.r @otd hin, ~ On sit down and