Evening star., 1939-05-20
Impressive Rites
Install Rabbi
Gerstenfe|d
Christian and Jewish
Leaders Take Part
In Ceremonies
(Picture on page A-2.)

In an impressive ceremony
marked by exhortations OF prom
inent Christian and Jewish church.
men to stand and resist those
trends that are inimical to every
thing we hold valuable in hfe,"
Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld last
night was formally indicted into
Office as spiritual leader of the
Washington Hebrew Congregation
before more than 1,400 members at
the congregations temple at 818
Eighth street NV.
Standing in the pulpit between
the two memorials, with their seven
candlesticks symbolizing the seven
days of creation, Rabbi Gerstenfeld
faced DR.. Julian Morgenstern, presi-
dent of Hebrew Union College, Gin
cinnati, Ohio, and was warned to
stand guard over Israel and to
teach and to lead and to bless this
household of Israel"
Il install you as rabbi of this con-
gregation to represent it as its am
bassador in the National Capital"
declared DR.. Morgenstern. You will
have great responsibilities but small
rewards for the work you are about
to undertake. bring you best
wishes from your alma mater and
hopes for rich achievements in your
new post"
In reply, the 34-year-old successor
to the late DR.. Abram Simon prom
ised to take heed and prayed that
this hour might be source OF
strength in the trials that lay ahead.
Elected Last April.
Rabbi Gerstenfeld, who had been
associate rabbi of the congregation
until DR.. Simon's death in Decem-
Der, 1888, was elected chief rabbi by
the congregation last April.
Born in Croydon, England, Rabbi
Gerstenfeld is graduate of Chicago
University and also studied at Har-
ward and London Universities and
at the University of Jerusalem. He
was also a fellow in philosophy at
Hebrew Union College. He is mar
ried and has two children.
The Right Rev. James E. Free
man, Bishop of Washington, In a
brief talk preceding the installa-
ton, reminded his listeners that
the ministry of the church at large
must play an ever increasing part
in the world today.
The trials and tribulations Of
the present hour must be faced"
he asserted, land this age calls for
men who can stand firmly for
eternal truths. The hope of your
industry, your commerce, your So
ciety and even your State lies in
this synagogue tonight"
Cites Duty of Followers.
1--WE need men in the church who
dare to affirm those eternal truths
which constitute the justification
of the ministry and of the state"
he said. He pointed out, however,
that leadership calls for and de-
mands the unfailing loyalty Of the
followers. Don't impose burden
too heavy on your leaders shoulders
and shirk the responsibility your
selves" he told the congregation.
Now. more than ever, he said
America and the world sorely needs
freshened courage, freshened hope
and increasing realization of the
powers of almighty God" To OBJ
tain these, he added, fear and
pessifnism must be removed from
the youth of today.
The Rev. Albert J. Mccartney,
chairman of the Committee on Re-
ligious Life in the Nations Capital,
also participated in the installation
ceremony.
The program included the regular
Friday evening services, in charge
of Rabbi Solomon Metz of Adas
Israel Congregation. He was &C
companied by Cantor A. Barotsky
and a mixed choir of four voices.