JUBILEE OF THE DUNEDIN SYNAGOGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21431, 4 September 1931, Page 2

JUBILEE OF THE DUNEDIN SYNAGOGUE

SPECIAL COMMEMORATION SERVICE The jubilee of the opening and consecration of the present Dunedin Synagogue in Moray place was commemorated on Sunday last, when a special service was held, attended by almost every member of the local Jewish community. The service was conducted by the Rev. A. Astor, 8.A., who was assisted by Mrs D. Falck at the organ. The musical portion of the service included Psalm c (a Psalm of Thanksgiving)), sung as a duet, and the chanting to organ accompaniment of Psalm xvi (a Psalm of Memorial). After the prayer for the King and Royal Family had been read, special memorial prayers were offered for the founders and for members of the congregation who had fallen in battle. Mr Astor then read the lesson from Ecolesiasticus, chapter xliv: “Let us now praise famous men, etc.’,, after which he delivered the following address: —

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto Thy Name 0 Most High.—Psalm xcii.

This text, taken from one of the most familiar psalms in our liturgy, must surely epitomise the thoughts that are with us to-day. For our service is not only one of commemoration, but also of grateful recognition and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. Fifty years, almost to a day, have passed since the synagogue in which we are now assembled was consecrated to the worship of the God of Israel. In our retrospect we have much to be thankful for. On an occasion such as this we cannot help reverting to the early pioneers, those staunch Jewish souls who were among the first settlers in the infant colony. Most of them came from England only a short time after the disabilities under which Jews lived had been completely removed. In New Zealand they worked as equals with their fellow citizens towards the upbuilding of their new home, and the proud position and prosperity that the Dominion enjoys in the Empire today is due in no small measure to the zealous and unselfish labours of those early pioneers. They were men of intense religious fervour, men fired by a love of their God and their faith, and so is soon as their numbers were sufficiently large they formed themselves into a congregation and laid the foundations of Judaism in Otago on a sound and firm basis. Many though their difficulties were, being so far removed from any large Jewish centre, and in spite of the hard conditions under which they lived, they were able, within a short space of time, to build a House of God, and, with the assistance of competent laymen, to hold regular services and fulfil their duties as God's witness people, and as loyal citizens of their adopted country. Many a soul-stirring service has been witnessed within these walls. Whatever the event that moved the hearts of England’s sons—when a great victory evoked national rejoicing, when a Sovereign had been stricken down by illness and when it pleased the Lord to send him healing, when a joyous national jubilee was kept, every event was commemorated here with voice of prayer and supplication, of praise and thanksgiving, proving that then, as always, the Jew has been a loyal and faithful citizen. And this house of God, a noble fane of which Dunedin Jewry may always be proud, this house of God is a monument to its founders, and we to-day, in the words of our text, feel that “ it is a good thing to give thanks-unto the Lord and to sing praises unto His Name." In the midst of God’s temple we think of His loving kindness in having sustained and preserved the congregation, so that our synagogue, after 50 years, continues to be a holy influence to us all to carry on its noble traditions.

But an anniversary such as we are today celebrating should hot only induce retrospect, but should also urge us to look forward to the future with all its uncertainties, its difficulties, its .perplexing problems, and increasing responsibilities. The close of 50 years in the life of a community is an opportunity for deep reflection, and as we halt on our journey to-day- we are obliged to consider some crave and serious problems;,' Is Judaism in New Zealand stronger or weaker today than it was 50 years ago? Is the faith for which our ancestors suffered unparalleled torture and martyrdom still a living force among us, or is it an outworn moribund system failing to satisfy the yearnings of our soul, failing to exercise a blessed and ennobling influence on our, lives? It cannot be denied that not only locally, but also abroad, Judaism has lost much of its hold on many of our people. Economic conditions and nonJewish environment militate against its strict observance, and spirit of willing sacrifice is less evident, while many ot our younger members are carried away by a wave of indifference and materialism. . , x , But while this is true and to be regretted. it is also true that in some respects a condition of affairs is noticeable which augurs well for Judaism in the future. In the field of Jewish culture .and education Anglo-Jewry has, during the past decade, made a marked and commendable advance. Due largely to the efforts of the Jewish War Memorial, now known as the Jewish Memorial Council, Hebrew and religious education in the Empire has been co-ordinated and systematised, with the result that our schools have attained a much higher standard of efficiency. Further, there are clear and unmistakable evidences of a Jewish renaissance. World Jewry to-day, is more united than it has ever been since the dispersion. The national idea has given an impetus to the study of Hebrew which has become once more a living language, while the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish national home under British protection has helped to'- arouse the histone consciousness in untold numbers of our people. In this connection, we recall today the fact that as early a 5,1904 a Zionist Society was formed in Dunedin, due largely to the zeal and enthusiasm of Hip late Dr Wolf Heinemann, while m later yearstbe part played bv the conrregation in the upbuilding of this vast unifying influence in Jewry has been a proud and noble one. , P And now, looking to the future, us resolve to make no less of the next half-century than of that which has culminated in this jubilee The worthies of the past served well and wisely, but they have now passed on, and we of the pre ent will either improve or mar their work before we follow them into eternity. But the House of Israel as our synagogue is called lives on, and each generation has Its own share faithfully to complete towards ensuring the beneficial permanency M our congregation. Our synagogue should radiate Jewish influence, attracting members of our faith towards thnt holiness for which every synagogue testifies. However any individual Israelite may sadly tail behind the ideals of his people. Judaism itself is infused with a high sense of communal and personal honour, and inculcates the strictest integrity and. the warmest generosity. A synagogue displays these lofty principles continuously before our eyes and the eyes of the children entrusted to our charge. We should, therefore, make a real endeavour to be ■present on each occasion-—-Jewish, civic, or national—commemorated within these walls for such services are the means to the end for which a synagogue is established—to cultivate our Jewish and our social consciousness, to inspire us with the intention to maintain within our homes the consecrated traditions of our fathers, to fill ns with enthusiasm for that sublime work Jewry has still to complete, the moral perfection of mankind under the kingdom of heaven, by means of the example set by our own staunch fidelity to the ideals of holiness. Our synagogue will continue its holy functions during the coming years if yon to whom I speak, and throuch yon your children after you, still love this House of God as did those who worshipped here before you, if you assemble here in full numbers for its various celebrations. if you foster religious education here and in the schoo'rooms by zealous direction of your children, and most of all if. in your personal and private lives, you honour the venerable and hallowed ordinances of our grand old faith. Then shall the congregation go from strength to strength and this synagogue augment its usefulness and be ever a source of noble and blessed influence to its members. The sermon was fol'owerl by a prayer, and Ihe service eoiHudod with the singing of “ God Save the King.” After the service an enjoyable social afternoon was s-u’nt in th« hirge hall of the Jewish Social Club. The room was very tastefully decorated with spring flowers and foliage, and a dainty afternoon tea was served. Messages of congratulation were received from sister con-

(negations in Australia and New Zealand. Berninis -ent speeches in happy vein were delivered by severnl of the older members of the community, and a brief history of the congregation since its inception in 1881 was read by Mr Astor. A musical programme completed the afternoon’s celebrations-