Arizona republican., 1921-10-31

More than 50 persons, including those of several denominations as well as Jewish people of the com munity, assembled at Second and Gull yer street at 3 o'clock yesterday af- ternoon to witness and participate in the ceremony of laying the cor nerstone of Phoenix first synagogue.
 The new building, construction of which will proceed immediately, is intended primarily for Hebrew com munity center. but pending the erec- tion of the main unit at a later date will be used also for religious ser vices- The edifice now being started eventually will be one of three units of the Temple Beth Israel.
 Because of his absence from the city Governor Thomas E. Campbell. who is was hoped would give the principal address of the day. was un- able to attend, sending instead a let ter expressing his best wishes. II was read by the rabbi of the congre- | gation Beth. Israel, Dr. David L. Liknaitz. and follows:
 The Governors Letter
 Oct. 27, 1921. My dear Dr. Liknaitz:
 It is a matter of sincere regret to me that other engagements necessi- tate my absence from the city next | Sunday, and therefore preclude my acceptance of the very courteous in- vitation extended to me by yourself and by the committee in. charge oi laying the cornerstone of the edifice to be used by the Jewish people of thi, city as a community center and temporary place of worship through Mir. 1. F. Wolpe, secretary of the Phoenix Hebrew Center association, to be present at the laying of the cor 1 nerstone of the edifice.
 The laying of this cornerstone is not only, in itself. an event of great importance in the community, but it also constitutes the outward and | visible sign of a notable achievement in the religious life of this city. Con- struction of this building and estab- | lishment of this center is. to my mind, most gratifying evidence of the success which has attended your eff ! forts and those of your communi- cants and it denotes the very genuine recognition which your splendid 1 qualities of leadership have induced among your people.
 We can never have too many build | ings of this kind. The edifice that is dedicated to the worship of God stands as a light in the community,
 
 crass materialism of the age to con- sideration of spiritual things.
 You and the members of your con- gregation are to be congratulated on laying the cornerstone of higher and finer things-of values that can never be measured in dollars and cents. From this center there will, from this time forth, radiate influences for good. the extent of which no man can measure. carrying great blessings | into countless lives.
 With the earnest hope that you may be greatly blessed in this un- dertaking. I am
 Sincerely yours.
 THOMAS E. CAMPBELL.
 Mayor Gives Address | Mayor Willis H. Plunkett. on behalf of the city, congratulated the Jewish people of the city for their step for ward. in helping to make Phoenix a | better place in which to live
 The synagogue. like every other place of worship. is always q big fac | tor in teaching better citizenship and | always proves a decided asset to 8 | city. All the people of Phoenix will feel, directly or indirectly. the bene- fits of such an institution" he said and quoted: Let the future state bt a religious state"
 Rabbi Martin Zielonka explained the significance of the occasion by pointing out that the erection of th' ! synagogue will cause general cen tering of authority in the church to 2 more defined extent than is now eX- | perienced.
 Through this synagogue all th' 1 Jews of the great Southwest will !