Evening star., 1934-12-16

was largely responsible for the erection Of this
building and encouraged 1t in every way, but
he did not live to see it begun. In talking To
Harry King the other day in his office In
Kings Palace it was refreshing to note the
sentiment and devotion manifested by him for
his father and the high regard he held for the
memory of his mother.
The elder King was a native of Germany
and came to this country and TO this city
when young. In the ffties he owned cloth
ing store on the south side of Pennsylvania
avenue, near Ninth street, and here his son
Harry born at a later date. The Justice
Department covers this site.
In 1859 he went into the millinery business
and later also engaged in business at Ninth
and F streets, before moving to the present
building on Seventh street. He was active in
charitable work and took part in many civic
matters of importance to the city. He had
six sons, Harry, Joseph, Philip Abraham,
Meyer and Samuel. and one daughter Grace.
All are living except Meyer and Joseph. Harry,
whom We all know, is a graduate of the old
Columbian University (nOw George Washing
toni while Philip and Samuel graduated from
Princeton. Phil King was one of Princetons
star foot ball players.
OF course, there were others who rendered
valuable assistance in connection with the
new temple, especially the members of the
Building Committee, which included William
Hahn, chairman S. Bieber, Amnon Behrend.
Meyer Loeb, Max Kaufman, S. Sondhemer and
Leopold Luchs.
At the dedication Past President Henry Gus
dorf, Hon. Simon Wolf, Dr. Abram S. IsaacS and
DR.. Louis Stern took prominent part.
OF the early leaders and rabbiS of the WASH
ington Hebrew Congregation Rev S. M. Lans-
burg is worthy of note. as is Rev. S. Well.
who was succeeded by Rev. I. S. Jacobson, and
he by Dr. Herman Baar. Then came Rev.
Isaac Stemple in 1870, followed by Michael
Goldberg, Louis Stern and DR.. Simon. Rev.
Stern came in 1872, at time when the
congregation was struggling nightly" and
the idea Of disbanding was often expressed.
He proved to be the man of the hour and
during his administration the church was
twice greatly altered and improved.
NR. ABRAM SIMON the present rabbi, for
merly Of Omaha. Nebr., came to the
Temple February S, 1904, and since then he
has been one of the outstanding figures in
Washington. He has had the honor of opening
Congress with prayer distinction also granted
Drs. L M Wise d. Philipson, ]. L. Levy. Edward
H Galisch Joseph Silverman and Rev. Stern
The Washington Hebrew Congregation has
always been of a progressive nature, and has
long since abandoned many of the so-called
orthodox FORMS such as segragating the women
from the men, avoiding the use Of instrumental
music, the wearing Of hats by the men when
in church. and other early forms. On account
of this spirit of progressveness, split in the
synagogue came in 1870, and since that time
other Jewish churches have been formed here.
Today there are about twelve, and there Is also
q Hebrew Home for the Aged, Jewish Foster
Home four Hebrew cemeteries and an up-to-date
nfait, CSvfoo optI
street.
Altogether, the people of Washington have
much to thank their Jewish brethren for, since
they have not only made good citizens, but
have helped to build Washington and to make
it better Washington beside.