The Jewish South. [volume], May 12, 1899, Image 3

About The Jewish South. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1893-1899

Image provided by: Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA

                
pulpit, and The Jewish South had been given, and
there was no reason to believe that a larger attend
ance would ever be secured.
Mr. I. Cohen explained that the committee had
looked into the question of finances very closely.
There would be no difficulty in getting the money.
The building could be put off for years if necessary,
but the lot would have to be acquired at once. The
congregation could decide at anytime when-to build.
The option is only for thirty days. Let a committee
be appointed to raise the money, and if it is not ob
tained of course they cannot purchase.
Mr. Isaac Held did not think the committee should
do all the speaking, and stated that what he would
say was as an officer of the congregation and not as
a committeeman. There is not a seat for sale in the
body of the synagogue. Recently half a pew was
made vacant by death, and there were five applicants
for it. Young men were kept out by the lack of seats.
A new synagogue had been needed for live years.
A MATTER OF PRIDE.
Mr. H. S. Binswanger thought the people present
wanted to know exactly what motives had actuated
the committee. The question which appealed most
to him was the pride which should be taken in this
movement. The present house of worship is not in
Ee* with the dignity and advancement of the
M.J. Straus inquired how it was proposed to
r the lot if purchased—what would the terms
Charles Hutzler did not know exactly, but
it they would probably be one fourth cash.
?a was to take the $2,000 now on hand and
make a cash payment of that amount at once. Then
tbscriptions should be asked and their payment
ide as lenient as possible. He would suggest five
ar subscriptions, one fifth payable each year and
I interest. As fast as the money is received pay it
! the lot. Another plan would, be to receive sub
scriptions and float bonds, which would be taken up
(they became due. He believed that the entire
lount would be taken by the congregation without
MOTION TO THE POINT.
Mr. M. J. Straus moved that the committee on
c be merged into acorn nittee on subscriptions and
soon as $15,000 is pledged on the line suggested
by Mr. Hutzler the lot be purchased.
This brought forth a protest from Mr. Louis
Nachman, who insisted he had never heard the sub
ject of a new temple discussed in a congregation
meeting. It was only a suggestion of the president's
and the committee had been appointed between
meetings.
The president and secretary explained that while
the recommendation was made in the annual report
of the former, the committee was appointed in ac
■nce with a resolution passed at the last annual
ig of the congregation. Mr. Marx Gunst
stated he had made the motion in question.
Mr. Strauss motion was supported by Mr. A. J.
Marcuse, who expressed the hope that the option
would be renewed, even if it cost something, if it ex
pired before the committee had time to make the pur*
Mr. Fleishman maintained he had heard no good
reason why a new temple should be built. He was
decidedly opposed to it, but would abide by the deci
sion of the majority. He attended services regularly
on Friday evening and had never seen the building
overcrowded. Such was the case only two days in
the year. There was plenty of room for the young
KMr. Binswanger had struck the keynote when
it was a matter of pride.
ENTIRELY TOO MODEST,
opinion was expressed by Mr. Leon Waller
hat the assemblage was entirely too modest.
I hoped that after the plain report of the com
mittee that others not on the committee would have
spoken in support of the report. Our lives are made
up largely of sentiment. Is it not a matter of pride
that the community his advanced in every particular
during the last twenty years? A more eligible site
meant a larger attendance. As had been said, a new
temple must be built by all, and he hoped, unless a
large majority was in favor of the project, that it
would be dropped.
Mr. L. Z. Morris had come to listen,not to speak.
He appreciated the efforts of the rabbi too much to
oppose his wishes without good reason. He had
considered the matter carefully and came prepared to
vote no. He did not admit the claims of the young
people. They had done nothing and deserved noth
ing. He would acquiesce in the result, and when
called upon his subscription would be ready. Sulking
was not in his vocabulary. As treasurer of the con
gregation, he would say there was but $1,000 on
hand as surplus. Sentiment is all very well, but a
temple cannot be built with nothing. The project of
starting out to build a $75,000 temple with $1,000
on hand did not appeal to his sense of reason. A
fund should be created in advance.
MUST MAKE A START.
Mr. Isaac Cohen wished it understood that he
wanted a new temple no worse than any one else,
but a start must be made at some time.
Rabbi Calisch, speaking a second time, stated he
wished it understood that all his remarks were in
tended to be strictly impersonal. He wanted to see
the question settled on its own merits. He cited the
recently-erected mortuary chapel as an instance where
a building was begun without a dollar on hand, and
yet to day there is not a cent's indebtedness on it.
The young people must be appealed to personally, as
is done in all other denominations, to attend service.
The president, Mr. Julius Straus, was called upon
to address the meeting. He began by stating that
oossiblv. with an exception or two, he was the oldest
member of the congregation present. He remem-