New Britain herald., 1927-05-02
Jacob Kaplan Pays $500 for First Key and s. L. Kaplan S1O0 for Privilege of Turning on Lights

Impressive services in the olt Hebrew ritual marked dedication O
 the new synagogue of the Congre
 gation Tephereth Israel yesterda!
 afternoon, during which the honol
 of possessing the first key to tht building passed to Jacob Kaplan wht
 outbid other members of the con gregation and paid $500 to hold tha distinction, while Samuel L. Kaplar 1 paid S100 for the privilege of turn l ing on the electric lights
 Other mementos and honors were ;auctioned with members of the con- gregation vieing with one another q: i Constable Fred Wrinkle placed tho | honors on the block. Patriacha ' members of the church had the coveted privilege of carrying tn. scrolls and articles used in the cere.
 monials to the rostrum where Rabb
 J. H. Aronson. leader of the church l went through the ceremonials. 1 Attorney M. D. Sake was master o1 ! ceremonies. In behalf of the congre-
 
 r. B. Hungerford who had assisted /, in the synagogue movement. He then introduced Mayor Weld who extend. ed the felicitations of the city gov ernnent. The mayor said:
 Tt Is an unusual privilege to be here with you this afternoon, and il is a pleasure to join in the exercises that are incident to the dedication ceremonies of this beautiful syna- gogue.
 "The Hebrew religion is acknowl- edged to be the oldest in the world, and as we look back through history and recall the Biblical teachings of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob, it is be- fitting that as your Jewish com munity grows in New Britan. that it should bend its efforts to carry on the traditions and the self-same re- ligion taught by your learned an- cestors.
 We all of us learn many beauti- ful tales from the Old Testament. It is filled with countless stories Of the heroic sacrifices made by the Hebrew prophets and leaders for their people. Even in those days, when they were oppressed by invading tyrants and heather rulers, the great mission of the Hebrew was the per- petuation of his religion through service to God, and the care and bringing up of his children.
 50 even, it is today. There is no race. nor nationality which is so unselfsh and so solicitious for the welfare of its children. In these children of today, we are building the character and the strength of the nation of tomorrow. Before We u.a build that character, we must have instilled that fundamental, conscientious belief in religion. 50 you. my friends, members of the Congregation Tephereth Israel, are to be congratulated and have reason to be proud, that you have constructed this handsome syna- sogue. as an edifice where you and your families. and your children, can come to worship. We can never have too many buildings of this na- ture and we can go to no more joy full a celebration, than the dedication of new temple to God.
 "No doubt you have all worked hard in unison to achieve this dis tinction in the life of the Jewish community It is a tribute to your persevering effort and in an humble way, may I again express my appre- citation for your Invitation to me to join with you. and may God speed you In your work"
 The other speakers were Rabbi De Sola Pool. the chief rabbi of the Portuguese Hebrew congregation of New York: Rabbi J. H. Levenberg. chief rabbi of New Haven: and or ganizer of the Jewish seminary. and Lawyer Sake.
 The program arranged by the com mittee in charge of the dedication ex- ercises follows: "The Star Spangled Banner" Hatikvah, music; Ma To- 700, cantor; invocation. Rabbi J. H Aronson: presentation of the syna- gogue, by chairman of the building committed; acceptance on behalf of the congregation. president; address of welcome, Chairman Morris D. Saxc; address. Mayor Weld: "Open
 for Me the Gates of Justice" by can tor, procession with Holy Scrolls, key presentation. opening of the Holy Ark hanging of poroches. Ladies Auxiliary; lighting the perpetual light; address Rabbi J. Hoffenberg
 address. Rabbi Gershon Hadas. The committee in charge of the dedica 1 ton exercises was s. Hanon. Sol Du. ihowy. A. D. Lipman and H. Finkel. stein.