1847
Petition To Those Interested in Behalf of Religion
The followers of the Jewish religion in the Borough of Wilkes-Barre, Pa, are very desirous of erecting a synagogue in that borough for the public worship of God, according to the forms of the Jewish creed. Those professing that faith in said borough number about eighteen families. They have bought an eligible lot and have contributed liberally toward the cost of a new synagogue, but being in number small their own liberality is insufficient to enable them to obtain their so much desired object. They need about $1000 more. In view of the facts, we, whose names are hereto subscribed, take pleasure in extending to the members of said church, the hand of friendly assistance, and we freely give them the sums set opposite our names for the object named and recommend their circumstances to the consideration of the friends of religion and the public generally, assuring them that any assistance they may extend to them, shall be received with grateful remembrance by the Jewish Church.
J. J. Slocum - George P. Steele - John Gay
Andrew Kessler - Thomas W. Miner - Hendrick B. Wright
Andrew T. McClintock - William R. Griffith - Harrison Wright
L. D. Shoemaker - W. J. Woolward - E. W. Reynolds
V. L. Maxwell - D. Mordecai - H. M. Nicholson
Thomas P. Hunt - P. MC Gilchrist - Andrew Yohe
Andrew Beaumont - Henry Colt, lumber - Edmund Taylor
N. S. Drake - Mrs. B. A. Bidlack - J. D. L. Harvey
F. C. Ward - J. Reinhard & Co. - William P. Mingle
Samuel Hoyt - Joseph P. LeClare - S. B. Williams
W. W. Loomis - H. Mcalpin - John Abbott
Charles Roth - Joseph Slocum - Jacob Bertels, lumber
Henry M. Fuller - Joseph Brown, merchandise
The followers of the Jewish religion in the Borough of Wilkes-Barre, Pa, are very desirous of erecting a synagogue in that borough for the public worship of God, according to the forms of the Jewish creed. Those professing that faith in said borough number about eighteen families. They have bought an eligible lot and have contributed liberally toward the cost of a new synagogue, but being in number small their own liberality is insufficient to enable them to obtain their so much desired object. They need about $1000 more. In view of the facts, we, whose names are hereto subscribed, take pleasure in extending to the members of said church, the hand of friendly assistance, and we freely give them the sums set opposite our names for the object named and recommend their circumstances to the consideration of the friends of religion and the public generally, assuring them that any assistance they may extend to them, shall be received with grateful remembrance by the Jewish Church.
J. J. Slocum - George P. Steele - John Gay
Andrew Kessler - Thomas W. Miner - Hendrick B. Wright
Andrew T. McClintock - William R. Griffith - Harrison Wright
L. D. Shoemaker - W. J. Woolward - E. W. Reynolds
V. L. Maxwell - D. Mordecai - H. M. Nicholson
Thomas P. Hunt - P. MC Gilchrist - Andrew Yohe
Andrew Beaumont - Henry Colt, lumber - Edmund Taylor
N. S. Drake - Mrs. B. A. Bidlack - J. D. L. Harvey
F. C. Ward - J. Reinhard & Co. - William P. Mingle
Samuel Hoyt - Joseph P. LeClare - S. B. Williams
W. W. Loomis - H. Mcalpin - John Abbott
Charles Roth - Joseph Slocum - Jacob Bertels, lumber
Henry M. Fuller - Joseph Brown, merchandise
Joseph Bussell, shoes - Thomas Davidge, work
A. B. Bacon, lumber - James P. Dennis
Abram Coray - W. S. Reddin - Calvin Parsons, lumber
Luther Kidder - Charles Dennison - H. Pettibone
E. W. Studevant - G. M. Hollenback - A. C. Laning
Charles Streator - Charles Dorrance, grain - S. Meylert
A. H. Bowman - I. and A. Wood, trade - R. B. Flick, nails
J. S. Searle, produce - B. F. Welles - Jacob Waelder
Chester Butler - W. Lee, Jr. - John N. Conyngham
M. C. Mordecai - A. Bedford - S. Butler
S. Pond - Sharpe D. Lewis - S. Tracy & Co., trade
E. W. Porter - J. Lewis - Martin Bauer
Philip Banker - Miss Perry - T, D. Jones
Charles Davis - L. C. Hakes - William C. Reynolds
Thomas Meyers - M. D. C. Shoemaker
Abram Coray - W. S. Reddin - Calvin Parsons, lumber
Luther Kidder - Charles Dennison - H. Pettibone
E. W. Studevant - G. M. Hollenback - A. C. Laning
Charles Streator - Charles Dorrance, grain - S. Meylert
A. H. Bowman - I. and A. Wood, trade - R. B. Flick, nails
J. S. Searle, produce - B. F. Welles - Jacob Waelder
Chester Butler - W. Lee, Jr. - John N. Conyngham
M. C. Mordecai - A. Bedford - S. Butler
S. Pond - Sharpe D. Lewis - S. Tracy & Co., trade
E. W. Porter - J. Lewis - Martin Bauer
Philip Banker - Miss Perry - T, D. Jones
Charles Davis - L. C. Hakes - William C. Reynolds
Thomas Meyers - M. D. C. Shoemaker
WILKES-BARRE
Consecration of a New Synagogue
By invitation of the Israelites of Wilkes-Barre we had the pleasure of being present, on Friday, the 31st of August, 1849, at the consecration of the new Synagogue, B’nai B'rith, just finished by the congregation which has been gradually assembling in the Valley of Wyoming for the last ten years.
The ceremonies were conducted by the Rev. Moses Strasser, the local minister, and Rev. S. M. Isaacs, of New York. The service commenced about 3 P. M., and was concluded about 6. The Rev. Mr. I. delivered an impressive consecration sermon, which left as usual a very favourable impression on the audience, composed of numerous Israelites and many Christian inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood.
It is a commendable circumstance, which we record with more than usual gratification, that the Christian citizens of Wilkes-Barre contributed about one thousand dollars to the building of this neatly fitted up Jewish place of worship, amply redeeming the promise they made when advising our brothers to erect a suitable and permanent building; and the building committee deserve great praise for the manner in which they have discharged the duty devolving upon them.
The building is situated on a lot of 50 by 100 feet, and measures on the outside 44 by 28, and on the inside 38 by about 26, the difference being occupied by the entry and thickness of the walls. The gallery extends only on one side, opposite the היכל; and the main building also is reached by a double flight of stairs, the basement beneath being in part fitted up as a school-room. The men’s Synagogue contains now seventy-eight seats, but there is full space for about fifty more with ease, and with a little crowding the seats could easily be doubled, thus giving ample room for the probable requirements of the congregation for several years to come.
We think there must have been between fifty and sixty male Israelites over thirteen years present at the dedication, say about forty ladies, and a due proportion of children; from these data our readers will easily see that there is material enough to form a permanent congregation.
The general conduct during worship was good, and the singing quite creditable to the choir, which had been trained by the Rev. Mr. Strasser. The rain poured down in torrents the greater part of the day, which naturally prevented many from coming who otherwise would have been there; as it was, the Synagogue was nearly filled to its capacity by an attentive and gratified audience, and the collection which was taken up resulted entirely to the satisfaction of the directors.
On the following day the liberality of the members was displayed in liberal offerings, and they proved that they had not become wearied by the contributions they had already made. Near the conclusion of the service we addressed the assembly on the concerns of eternal life, and were rewarded with the devout and reverential attention of the auditors; and we express only our own honest sentiments and those of our friend, Mr. Isaacs, that we are jointly indebted to our brethren of Wilkes-Barre, for the manner in which they received the message in the name of the Lord, which we were permitted to bring them; and our earnest hope is that many blessed fruits may spring from the seed which was sown in an apparently very fruitful soil.
There is ample scope for a worthy body of Israelites in that elegantly situated valley; and it depends altogether on the people themselves, whether they are to be respected as honest citizens and God-fearing men; and we trust that they will duly appreciate their privileges and liberties as freemen, to acknowledge the mercies of the God of their fathers who has prospered their labours, and cast their portion in pleasant parts. But we can hardly doubt that so auspicious a beginning must progress prosperously; and that we shall hear many good accounts of the new congregation, who have united themselves as “sons of the covenant,” to the general body of Israelites.
We could furnish a few particulars of the exertions of individuals, but where all have acted so well it would appear invidious; but this much we may say without offence, that the hand of the “women of Israel” has been conspicuous in organizing and encouraging this community, for which we trust that many blessings may attend them. The curtain before the ark (the congregation follow the German Minhag) is also a gift of the ladies, and is quite creditable to their taste.
We must record a pleasing instance connected with the consecration: several of the relatives of the residents of Wilkes-Barre, arrived from Germany on the night before the appointed ceremonies, and they brought with them a handsome Sepher, the gift to the Synagogue from Mr. Bernhard Meyers, of Bayreuth, Bavaria, the father of the Mrs. Martin and Marx Long, and Mr. David Meyers, of Wilkes-Barre. The arrival of this sacred book was hailed with joy by the community, and it was duly honoured in the procession at the consecration, there having been but one in town before its arrival.
The congregation have also a neat burial place on the outskirts of the town; it has a substantial railing in front, and is easy of access.
The officers of the congregation are, Martin Long, Parnass; John Konstein, Vice-President and Treasurer; Marx Strauss, Joseph Coon, and Joseph Schwabacher, Trustees. We have thus given all the necessary particulars of this new society of Israelites in the interior of Pennsylvania, and our scattered brothers can learn from it what can be done if the will be there to effect any good. Union is everything, and with it seeming impossibilities are often overcome, and beautiful results crown the labour of those who are earnest in their endeavours. We trust that this pious example may find many imitators in the many small communities which are springing up all over the land; and we can assure them that we will gladly aid them by all the means in our power.
After our services had been rendered we enjoyed yet another day the hospitality of our friends, and early on Monday morning we returned with Mr. Isaacs to our station; but we can never forget the hospitality and kindness we enjoyed during our stay of four days among those whom we met as strangers and parted from as friends. (The Occident and American Jewish Advocate -
October 1849)
