PEESENTATION TO MR M. JOEL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6149, 24 October 1881, Page 3

PEESENTATION TO MR M. JOEL.

A largo number of Jadie3 and gentlemen of the Jewish congregation assembled in the synagogue yesterday afternoon, when a testimonial was presented to Mr M, Joel, who has filled the positions of committeeman, treasurer, and president of that congregation. Mr A. SOLOMON, the present president, was in the chair, and briefly explained the object for which they had met, and said that the task was liia to make the presentation. Had this duty fallen upon a more intimate porsonal friend of Mr Joel's the sincerity rA the remarks •which he was about to make might ha 4oubted, and some might think that he was giving that gentleman more credit than he deserved. He was not likely to do that. An American writer had said that thero was no such thing as flattery for when the commendation was deserved it was truth, and when it was not deserved it was slander. It was objectionable to speak m terms of commendation of a man beforenis lace and "butter" him, as it were, and ho thereferei thought thero was a good deal on what the! American had said. They might not approve ,of all Mr Joel had done, nor of some of what le had left undone, yet ho Mr Joel) had displayed an amount of zeal, industry, and perseverance that language could hardly express, ftr JoeJf was treasurer for nine years and was ■nrpsirlpnt for the years 1b77-3 and IbSO-81. lie &reat difficulty in expiring to the meetto the energy and attention which Mr Joel had wider all circumstances, gives to the wori- of the congregation, and any of whoso members did feelindebted to Mr Joel must be wv ungrateful indeed. In a pecuniary sense, Ilbo Mf Joel had displayed a liberal spirit, f™ctive°of whether Vwss in the majority orin Pthe minority, and always the fact that tho congregation must be suppo tea. The subscribers to the testimonial numbed 90 per cent, of the congregation, and not a penny of the funds of the congregation liaa been used in connection with it. He tnen handed a handsome silver set s»d an address to Mr Joel, and hoped he would be lo;jg spared in robust health to show them to his children as a proof of the recognition of his colleagues and co-religionists.—(Applause.) Mr Hyman assured Mr Joel that the movement had received a very cordial reception. Having done so, he read the address, which ran as follows:—"To Maurice Joel, Esq.— Dear Sir, —AYe, tho members of tho Jewish congregation, have much pleasure in requesting you°to accept the accompanying piece of plate - lM v small memento of their appreciation of the jii'my valuable services rendered by you during the past 10 years in the respective capacities .of Vrc-iideut, treasurer, and committeeman; also :vj :i souvenir of the completion of tho new syjwo'me during your term of office as President* 'Trusting that you will continue to use your energies, influence, and ability m prornotin" the welfaro of your co-religiomsts oi this city, wishing you, Mrs Joel, and family every happiness, prosperity, and success,—! have the" honour -to remain, sir, yours faith, fully I. J. ROTHSOHJID, Hon. Sec.; J, 'fly man, Chairman of -Presentation Committee,1

) —(Tho address waTalscrslgned by G5 members i of the congregation.) Mr Joel said that ho had not prepared a sot speech for tho occasion, as in acknowledging the presentation he wished to speak from tho /heart rather than from the head. Ho hoped they would believe that his appreciation did not arise from any consideration for its intrinsic value, however elaborate and expensive it might bo. On the occasion of the climax of what had been hia ambition—namely, to erect in this city a synagogue worthy of tho worship of Almighty God, —he would have been perfectly satisfied to have received that plain piece of paper accompanied by the signatures of the ladies and gentlemen who had got up this testimonial. They, however, had acted differently, and presented him with a substantial mark of their appreciation of his endeavours to please them in the many positions ho had occupied—in the high position which he had occupied ; for there was no higher one for any member of that congregation than that of treasurer or president. He had his heart set upon tho erection of that edifice for many years, and he could not find words to express his. gratitude for tho confidence they had placed in him, and for the liberal way in which they had shown it. He trusted that his efforts would act as a stimulus to others, not that lie considered that he had done anything great, but yet if a man pleased others he must be self-gratified. Ho had always done what he considered his duty, and lind never swayed to the right or to the loft. On this occasion he had met with their approval and gained their approbation; and in regard to the discharge of the duties of President during the last twelvemonths, ho mentioned that it was his wish to hold that position during that period, and he therefore strove for it aud succeeded in obtaining it. He then used his best efforts to promote their welfare and tho interest of the congregation, and he was pleased to know that his efforts had met with their approbation.—(Applause.) He would prize that testimonial more than anything else in the world, and would esteem it tho longest day he lived, and hand it down as an heirloom inhis family; and he trusted that his children's children would preserve it, and that it would be a guido to them for their future welfare. He then thanked tho President for his remarks, and also Mr Hyina-n jand the subscribers to tho testimonial, and [concluded by assuring them that his services iwould always bo at their disposal. The Rev. Mi'Liciitexstein briefly addressed the meeting, and spoke in most eulogistic terms of the services which Mr Joel had rendered the congregation. Mr Nathan proposed, and Mr M. Coiikn seconded, a vote of thanks to tho Chairman, and the meeting ended.