Evening star., 1952-11-17
Truman Joins Rites
In Cornerstone Laying
For Hebrew Temple

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President Truman in q simple
ceremony placed the cornerstone
Of the new Washington Hebrew
Congregation temple yesterday at
the buildings site, Macomb street
and Massachusetts, avenue NV.
The Nations Chief Executive,
accompanied by Mrs. Truman and
daughter Margaret, received a
spontaneous burst of applause
from the large gathering as he
walked to the temporary plat
form.
5000 Attend Ceremony
A clear blue sky and spring.
like weather attracted approxi-
mately 5000 persons to the his
toric occasion. 1t was part Of the
Tooth anniversary observance of
the congregations founding.
This is a happy occasion for
the Washington Hebrew Congre-
CATION" President Truman said.
Il am glad to take part in it.
1t Is also an important occasion
for all of us, because 1t Symbol
Lies the great ideals of belief
in God and religious tolerance
which are the foundations of our
Nation"
This theme was strongly
stressed by Rabbi Norman Ger
stenfeld, spiritual leader of the
congregation, in his talk intro
ducing the country's leader. He
selected two letters-one from the
Most Rev. Patrick A. O'Boyle,
Catholic Archbishop of Washing
ton, and the other from the Rt.
Rev. Angus Dun. Episcopal
Bishop of Washington-from
many received to emphasize this
point.
THE members of your congre-
cation have rendered signal and
notable services in all phases of
our civic life and have particularly
distinguished themselves in the
field of charitable endeavor,"
Archbishop O'Boyle said. Their
significant contributions to the
general welfare of the community
have been acknowledged by all as
a prime factor in the extraordinary
development of the city during
the past century.
Il am confident that the &C
complishmentS of the members of /
your congregation, under your
jealous direction, will be Of even
greater value to our community. 81
Bishop Dun Comments.
Bishop Dun pointed out that
"Your congregation and mine
share together in the common
life of this city and Nation. We
are heirs together of the American
tradition of religious freedom
and understanding tolerance. We
cherish together the American
dream of a society in which people
OF many traditions and many con-
victions can bring their diverse
treasures to the enrichment of the
common life.
Without minimizing in any
way the distinctive tenetS of our
faith, we must rejoice in the build
ing of your new temple and pray
that in your worship there justice
and mercy and truth may be set
forward"
President Truman commented
that the two letters demonstrated
"the mutual respect that exists
and must continue to exist-be-
tween the great religions Of our
country.
The leaders of different creeds
should stand together against the
outbreaks of bigotry that arise
from time to time in this country,
as they arise throughout the world.
Here we can prevent bigotry, If we
will be true to our national ideals.
Mutual respect and tolerance for
the beliefs of others is the secret
of the strength of this blessed
land"
The President was presented
with a Hebrew prayer book by
Rabbi Gerstenfeld. The latter in
presenting the volume declared it
was "a token of our profound
esteem of one who like Joshua was
ever strong and of good courage
and to whose fortnight righteous
spirit the historians of future ages
will refer with great homage"
Truman Presents Gavel.
Mr.. Truman then gave pound
ing stone and a gavel, which he
said was made from wood of the
old White House, to the congre-
CATION. 1t was accepted by Gar
field I. Kass, congregation pres
ident.
A corsage and a gift were pre-
sented to Mrs. Truman by Mrs.
Charles Goldsmith and Mrs
Abram Simon, members Of the
congregation. Mrs. Simon is the
widow of the late DR.. Abram ST.
mon, congregation spiritual lead
er from 1904 to 1888.
District Commissioner Renah F.
Camalier assisted the President
and Rabbi Gerstenfeld in the
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