DUNEDIN HEBREW CONGREGATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 68

DUNEDIN HEBREW CONGREGATION.

(See Illustiations ekew here in this ii = me.)

Among a scr.es of articles descriptive of the religious communities of this part of Ne-u Zealand, th.it dealing vwth the Hebicu Congiegation rnu^t necessarily occupy a vtry modest place. Wheiever they have formed themselves into congregations throughout Australasia the JeM s have commenced the ■work by the assembling m some puvate home of a sufficient spi inkling of earnest and religious men, far fiom the •sources of religious oidinaiice*, and farther removed, by age and struggles with the hard conditions of a new country, from the ' early piuity of their ichgious idea's. They i have been in every instance an msignificantlooking minority, as compared with other religions ; their small communities were often exposed to annihilation by the changes in trdde routes, and in the callings of the people themselves, through which thriving, though small, congregations have disappeared entirely, leaving perhaps a small synagogue now without an echo, and a few lonely and neg!ected graves. But of the congregations which have survived and possess a vitality which ■« ill enable them to keep their places in Judaism, in its general features the history of the Dunedin Hebrew Congregation might almost serve as a sketch of any one of the other congrega- J lions ; ;i New Zealand. The dominant fea- j ture throughout them all has been a living earnestness, religious devotion, self-sacri-fice, and a sincere belief in the goodness of God and the truth of their religion. The individual and inner history of the Dunedin Hebrew Congregation must possess an interest for many who are not Jews, as it will recall the memory of numbers of Jews who possessed the esteem and affection of their fellow-townsmen while still on earth, and left memories still nourished with love and gratitude. But to the Jews themselves who have only the opportunities afforded by holy days of coming to some centre where there are religious celebrations, and to many who once worshipped in Dunedin, but 3re now far away, a sketch of the congregation, from its humble beginning, through its periods of struggle, to what may b? called a condition of comparative efficiency, must have an inspiring and abiding interest. When the '"corner stone" of the present synagogue, in Moray place, was laid on November 11, 1880, by Mr Maurice Joel. Ihen president of the congregation, he gave a most valuable epitome of its history from v documents and his own knowledge and reminiscences of the men and events^ connected -with its formation and early history. This sketch of Mr Joel's supplies much information not otherwise available and our warmest acknowledgments are made to that gentleman. Mr Joel gives the names of the only five Jewish residents in Dunedin with their families prior to the year 1861 — namely, Messrs Woolff Harris, George Casper, Hyam E. Natbin, Jacob Fogel. and Adolph Bing ; of whom Mr Woolff Hams alone survives, a resident of London. Mr Harris's name and that of Mr Bing are almost househoM words in New Zealand, as the founders o f +!-,<* r-reat firm nf Bing. Harris, and Co. •which lias long flourished in the colony. During that year there was a strong tide of immigration to the colony, and the number of Jews increased, so that a minyan (divine service) could be held, which was done for the first time on yom kippur of that year — the day of Atonement, the 10th day of the seventh month Tishri. occurring in the end of September or beginning of October, Christian notation. The place of meeting was Mr Hyam E. Nathan's premises in High street, afterwards the Empire Hotel, now the Grand Hotel, and the service was read by Mr Henry Nathan. The rush for gold, and the influx of miners, traders, and speculators, some of them Jews, led to the important step of establishing a congregation and acquiring'a synagogue. Fourteen gentlemen met in the house of Mr H. E. Nathan on January 15, 1862, and pledged themselves to form a congregation. A committee was formed to obtain subscriptions for preliminary expenses, who were so rucce^ful thai at a general meeting of intending members-, held on January 26, a sum of about £120 was in hand. At this meeting the congregation was formed and the whole officebearers were appointed. They were the following: — President, Hvam E. Nathan ; treasurer, Henry Nathan ; committee — H>nry Hart, Benjamin L. Farjeon, R. da Costa, Ezekiel Nathon. Abraham Myers, Isaac Herman, and George Casper. Mr H. Joseph was secretary. Of these gentlemen only Mr Hirt, Mr Fdijeon, and Mr Henry Nathan now surv ; ve. Mr Hart resides in London. Mr Farjeon is vvell remembered in Dunedin as the manager of the Daily Times and Witness for some years in the early sixties. He has now gained a higher place in literature, and a world- wide fame as one of the most successful novelists of the r>resent day. The office-bearers proceeded with sufficient energy, and by the month of April they had purchased a leasehold area in George street, on which a sma l ! wooden building stood back from the street. This building, after some necessary repairs and alterations, became the first synagogue in Dunedin. The membership then consisted of 43 gentlemen, and services ■« ere thereafter regularly conductfcd in it, the reader (honorary) being Mr Henry Nathan. The office-bearers apparent h' already regarded the congregation as established beyond fear of failure Thenpresident vas authorised to celebrate marriages, and the first couple united in the synagogue were Mr Abraham Mvers and Miss Ehrenfried, on September 17, 1862. The congregation resolved to adopt the prayers and ritual of the English Jews, and to place themselves under the jurisdiction of the Chief Rabbi, the late D r N. M. Adler, father of the present Chief Rabbi, Dr Hermann Adler The congregation also obtained from the Provincial Government a 1 larger burying ground than, the portion of

the Southern Cemetery originally set apart for Jew <-. A scroll of the law hid been presented by Mr H. E. Nathan, the president; and Mr Myers, as an offering on his marriage, presented a canopy. The «roll of the law is an essential of a synagogue. As our readers may be aware it consists of the Pentateuch, or the five books of Mose«, ' n manuscript, in the Hebiew character, wntten on the skin of a Kosher calf by learned scribes, who arc cdrefuMy trained for this occupation, and pm sue no other. The character used is supposed to be entirely identical with that employed by Moses himself, and the scrolls are intended and believed to be an accurate repioduction of the original language of Moses. The Pentateuch, as u c ed in Jewish woiship, is divided into 52 portions, one of which is read every Sabbath, so that it is completely read in the synagogue in one year. By the time the George street Synagogue v as purchased other names began to appear in the business proceedings of the congiegation. The meeting at which the purchase was concluded was held on April 6. 1862, and the Hon. S. E. Shrim&ki, now M.L.C., was present. At that meeting, notwithstanding the burdens the congregation were undertaking, what may be regarded as evidence of their earnest desire to obtain the blessing of God on their efforts to carry out His divine ordinances, was the inauguration, on the initiation of Mr Shrimski, of a subscription for the relief of the poor Jews in Palestine. Mr Maurice Joel was mentioned in the proceedings "for the first time on February 2, 1863, and he and Mr Julius Hyman were elected members of committee on March 29. 1863. From those days to this these two gentlemen have b^en able to serve the congregation in all the offices, and to do work which will remain long after they have been gathered to their fathers. The name of the late Mr Abraham Solomon appears for the first time in a list of annual subscribers of fixed amounts, submitted to a committee meeting of May 18, 1862, and on October 6, 1862, Mr Henry Hayman, founder of the firm of P. Hayman and Co. , of Dunedin, was elected by ballot to pronounce the blessing on the day of rejoicing when the first portion of the law for the year was read (Chasan Berislie*). From what we know of these gentlemen, both those who survive and those who have departed, no surprise need be felt at the strong forward policy at once inaugurated. In April, 1863, the congregation was advertising .for a minister and looking about for a more suitable and central site for a synagogue. The minister was found in Mr D. Isaacs, eulay minister, qualified for the duties by his experience and knowledge of Hebrew. The first site upon which the choice of the congregation fell was the section at the corner of View street, but owing to some hitch in the negotiations it was lost to the Jews, and a Congregational Church was erected upon it. The. Jews, however, acquired, at a cost of about £600, the ground in Moray place, now the property of the Masonic body, and erected a synagogue at a cost of about £1850. The building was finished in September, 1863, and Mr Isaacs having been appointed minister in August of that year, the congregation held the new year services for 1863 in a fully-equipped synagogue of their own. Towards the expense of the site and the building numerous subscriptions and valuable aid were received from members of other religions. But all the efforts of the congregation could not prevent the accumulation of some debt, which took many years of patience and self-denial to wipe off. The position of the building was by no means an ideal one; its great elevation above the street and other circumstances rendered it far from being a comfortable or convenient place of worship, and when, in 1880, an opportunity occurred of effecting a sale of the whole property to the Masonic body, for the sum of £1850, it was taken advantage of. In view of such an event the site of the present synagogue in Moray place had been purchased in 1875 for £1000, and, trusting to the energy of their managers, the congregation proceeded to build at once, and were in a position to give up possession of the old building in January, 1881, exactly 19 years after the first meeting of Jews as a congregation in Dunedin. During that first period of the history of the congregation the law of Israel was observed in a general way as regards the use of Kosher meat, the ministers being qualified to kill and examine animals destine-d for food ; the sanctity of the Sabbath ; and the maintenance of a Hebrew school for childran, as well as a Sunday school, the teachers being the ministers, with paid and voluntary assistants. The period may fairly be described as one of earnest and determined effort to maintain a good position in Judaism in the colonies. Most of the communal benevc^ences which are features of rich British congregations have been imitated in Dunedin. In 1866 Mr Julius Hyman founded and became first president of the Philanthropic 'Society, the object of which is the relief of Jewish poor, who may either belong to the province or be strangers requiring temporary assistance. Of tho«e associated as members of committee t>ith Mr Hyman at the establishment of the society who still survive are Mr Maurice Joel (now president) and Mr Godfrey Jacobs. The present treasurer is Mr S Jacobs, the secretary Mr Joseph Maik«, and Mr D. E Theomin present treasurer of the congregation, has been for long closely connected with it. The funds at the disposal of i the society are raised by members' subscriptions, and are most cnrefully guarded against unworthy applicants. On September 21, 1873, at the annual meeting of the congregation, on the motion of Mr Joel, seconded by Mr Mark Cohen, a branch of the Anglo- Jewish Association was also formed, and continues its usefulness. The active work of this noble society, which operates in harmony with the Alliance Israelite Universelle of France, chiefly consists in the promotion of Jewish- education in the East, in Greece, ftoumama, Bulgaria, Tuikey-in-Europe, and in Asia, Persia, Egvnt, India, and Morocco The present president of the branch h Mr D. E Theomin. and the treasurer the Rev. A T Cliodowfcki. To Mr Samuel Jacobs belongs

the honour of having brought the ladies of the congregation together in " the Hind in Hand Society," for the relief and assistance of distressed women either in the piovinee or strangeis. The President for the past two jears ha& been Mrs Abraham. Solomon. The congregation contributes regularly to the Chief Rabbi's fund, and has laised on several occasions subscriptions for the assistance of starving Je-ws in Jerusalem and the Sultan's dominions, as well as for persecuted Russian Jew. Everything up to this pomt — as, indeed, all through the story of the Dunedin congregation — is typical of Jev, i*h tenacity and devotion to their religion, as displayed all over the world — a devotion which oppression can never stamp out, nor wealth and prosperity emasculate. A few earnest men and women, never reaching 100 male members of congregation, ■weie able, without any of the aids which the devotees of the earlier emirches obtained fiom the Government to establish themselves, to have propcity of their own, to provide a suitable maintenance for a minister, and t"o raise funds for the assistance of other?. In point of fact, the only gift received from the public resources of the province was the small plot of ground set apart in the '' Southern Cemetery for the burial of thsir dead, the tender and loving care of which lies close to the Jewish heait. The present synagogue was taken possession of on February 7, 1881. and the first service was held in the schoolroom on February 11, 1881, and the building was consecrated on August 21, 1881, the ceremony being conducted by the Rev. B. Lichten■istem. Mr Boldini was the architect, and the contractors were Messrs Evans and Johns. The Building Committee, whose labours extended over a full year, consisted first of Mr Godfrey Jacobs (president) and Messrs Maurice Joel, Moss Moss, and Barnard Isaac ; and at the annual election of office-bearers in September, 1880, Mr Joel became president, and Messrs A. Solomon. J. F. Anderson, and S. de Beer were added to the committee. The total cost, including extras and internal fittings, seats, and decorations, amounted to £4830 13s 7d. The portion of the congregation had now to be maintained. The funds under the control of the Building Committee, augmented as they were by special .subscriptions of about £800, did no more than provide a margin of security to trusting lenders ; and after completion of the whole work more money had to be raised to pay debt«. The general method of all churches, the organising of a bazaar, was adopted in 1886 under the management of Messrs J. Hvman and D. E. Theomin, with Mr B. Hallenstein as bazaar treasurer. They had no reason to regret their confidence in the public of Dunedin and their fellow-citizens of all creeds, for the success of the enterprise was phenomenal, a net sum of £1650 being raised. While the congregation did their part in achieving this result, the chief honours must be awarded to the gentlemen named, and the congregation presented addresses of thanks to Messrs Hyman and Theomin. The congregation were never backward in making suitable acknowledgments of praiseworthy services ; and at a former period — viz., 1881 — Mr Joel was presented with a silver salver and illuminated address for the numerous benefits he had conferred, particularly in connection with the building of the new synagogue. The following gentlemen, who served as treasi'rers and presidents, have also received illuminated addresses of thanks' — viz. : Messrs J. Hvman. D. E. Theomin, S. Jacobs, and L. Mendelsohn. This bazaar did not entirely drive away the wo'f from the door, and 10 years later — in 1897 — it. became necessary to make a further special appeal to the congregation. On this occasion it took the form of a direct personal canvass by Mr Hyman, who was then president, and resulted in the collection of £500 in a short time. It would be invidious to specify the particular donors, for the humblest vied with, ihe wealthy in doing their best. With the excitement of occasional pinches of that description, which really knit congregations together, the career of the Dunedin congregation has been a prosperous and harmonious one in the present synagogue. Having in the earlier part of their

existence formed the various societies abo\ c referred to, they were altogether in line ■with the most progressive ot the old country communities, who roll in wealth. But it was left to this congregation to show the way to Home congregations in. a new avenue of benevolence. This was the formation in 1891 of the " Cnevra Kadisha'" (the JAoly Brotherhood). The duties of this society are connected with the care of the sick^and dying, and the necessary attendance on the dead, and the care of the cemetery. These are matters that lie close to -> he* heart of Jews, and the Dunedin congrej ition was the first under the jurisdiclion of the chief rabbi of the English Jews •io form such a society — an example which has been widely followed To Mr Julius Hyman the congregation i« indebted for the formation of this society and for the good effect it has had on the community. Mr Hyman lias been president since its formation. '.hose present with him at the first meeting in Mr Godfrey Jacobs's house on November 21, 1891, and who were enrolled as eenior members, were : Messrs A. Myers, M. Moss, G. Jacobs, L. Faigan, and S. Goldstein. Mr L. Mendelsohn was president of the congregation at this time, and Mr S. Jacobs treasurer. In November, 1884, under the presidency of' Mr E. Nathan, the congregation did themselves the honour of sending an illnminatsd address of congratulation to Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., ths most singleminded of all philanthropists, a great benefactor to poor and oppressed Jews in every land, a man whom the late Queen delighted to honour. This was done when Sir Moses attained his one-hundredth year. It was enclosed in a casket of New Zealand timbers, and forwarded to Messrs Henry Hirt and Henry Hayman, then in London, tor presentation. Another pleasing event in Dunedin Jewish history took place quite recently, when Mr Julius Hyman and his wife cele brated their golden wedding — the first in the annals of the community. The event was a religious one in the synagogue on Sunday. 29th April, when special ,-ervice, were held, and appropriate addressee delivered by the Rev. A. T. Chodowski. The occasion evoked a wonderful amount of public feeling, and the functions connected ■with it were attended by ail rinses and creeds, showing at once the rerpect in which Hi and Mrs Hyman are held, and the sympathy with the congregation in honouring them. At a conversazione hsld in ths Choral Ha.l on April 30. Mr and Mrs Hyman received many compliment.- and presents. Mr R. Ghisholm, Mayor of Dunedin. presided. Mr Joel presented an illuminated album signed by the whole congregation, congratulating them on Ihe event, and, in addition, Mrs* Hyman received a handsome gold "SCreatk, and Mr Hyman a gold badge and clasp with a suitable inscription, gifts of the congregation. The master of Lodge Otago, 844, E.C., on behalf of the members, also presented an illuminated address and a gold Masonic jew^l, with an inscription commemorative of the occasion. The minister, on behalf of the ' Chevra Kadisha," also presented an ill.inir>ated address. The whole proceedings were, most enthusiastic, and will long be lemembered by the Jews of Otago; and j lost gratifying letters and telegrams of « angratulation were read by the minister -ron Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice of T«w Zealand), Hon. J. G. Ward (Colonial Fecretary), on behalf of the Government; i 'ie chief rabbi (Rev. Dr Adler) . Rev. H. Van Staveren (Wellington), Rev. S. Goldstein (Auckland), Mr Moritz Gotthelf (Sydney), and many private friends in other colonies : and a cablegram from Mrs Hymans's brother, Mr Danziger, of Manchester. The great success of the whole of the proceedings was due to the energy of Mr D E. Theomin. treasurer of the congregation, assisted by members of the committee. Although great personal regard for Mr and Mrs Hyman was the ruling motive of these gentlemen, the whole proceed, ings were an unspoken sermon to the younger generation as the great principle oi •'Honour to whom honour is due." It is very gratifying to record the ?er--Tlces rendered and benefactions bestowed upon the congregation in the promotion of its interests, equipping the synagogue as a place of worship and providing conveniences and decorations. A very long list of donors, from the very inception of the congregation, can be compiled from the records, of whom a few only are named m tho following : — 186°— H. E. Nathan— Scroll of the Law. Hon. S. E. Shrimski— Silver pointer. 1864— Michael Hyman, Sen.— Velvet covers for v scrolls. Abraham Myers--Canopy for marriages. 3568 S. Isaacs— Minister's surplice and hat. 1872— Mrs Beaver and family— Silver pointer. 1874— Jacob Fogel— Legacy of 90 guineas. 1875— Julius Hyman— Scroll of the Lav/ ar.d silver pointer. Maurice Joel— Canopy. C J. Levien (now of Sydney)— Velvet cover for desk. Samuel Jacobs— Silk covers. Moss Moss— Entrance lamp and fillings. S. Kohn— Silver cup. B. Isaac— Velvet cover. 287S— Abraham Snider— Silver cup. Maurice Joel — Scroll of the Law. Hermann Nashelski— Silver pointer. Committee— Mantle for scrolls. E. M. Marks— Velvet covers. Abraham Myers— Silver dish. IS7o— Max Hayman— Silver cup. _ IS3O— D. E. Theomin (in memory of his iatiiei) —Silver pointer. 18S1— (New Synagogue). Maurice Joel— lion frontage for ladies' gallery. , ■ Abraham Solomon— Gas sta'ncuids lor ark, and reading desk. D. E. Theomin— Clock. 18SS— L Mendelsohn (silver wedding)— Silver hells and breast-plate for scrolls. 1889— Juhus Hyman— Silver bells for scio'ls. D. E. Theomin— Mantle and velvet covers. 1390— F. Falck— Lamp for perpetual light. 1891— "Woolff Harris— lron gates for cemetery. 1805— S. Schlesmger— Legacy, £59 12s Cd. 1893— Max Hayman— Silver bieast-plate for scrcM. Mi 3 Beaver— Scroll, Silver be.is and pointer. 1901— Mrs Saul Solomon— Velvet cover fci leading desk. The names of those associated in the work tf the .synagogue, occupying the positions , fcvolvini most of the hard woik^ iUi'i d>>

serving of all the honours they can receive for the struggle they maintained against diinculties — difficulties which ths pie^nt generation can scarcely imagine, and which, owing to their efforts, can liever recur, are recorded here in a roll of honoiir, that those remaining amongst us may leceive the respect they have so we r l earned, and those who have departed may be remembeied for their good deeds. The following is a full list of the presidents and treasurers from that day, in 1862, when the congregation ■k as formed, until now. and it is to be devoutly hoped that at least some of them may be found in the congregation and active when a jubilee service comes, to bo offered to that God who his always guided the footsteps of Israel: — LIST OF PRESIDENTS AXD TREASURERS. A v TTm President. I T.ciiurer. l'fia-fiSnfi^H F. Nathan Henry Nathan LB6'3-P4 5(??4 H. F. Naihan Heiiy Nat! an ]Bfc'4-S5 5625 Hot ry Nsthin Hen y Hart 1865-C6 53-26 {gen;y Hart Atntbam Mjer3 lPGfi-f 7 WiT Hemy Nxthan Abraham Myerg i ]SB7- P ? 5625 Julius Hyman Mauii c Joe 1 } ]868-M*532 Simeon I- a ci Maurice Joil I IS7C-7 5 31 K^-fciel Nathan Maurice Jo 1 ' 1571-72 fr'zekiel Nath«n Maunce Jotl 1 1572 73 ~6'J.t Kzekitl Na'han MauiiM Joel i 1873-74 sc3i Ezekiel NatUan Mauiice Joel 1874-75 5P35 Barna- <1 Is^ac Maurice Joel ]575-7r 5fi36 M'us Hyman Maurice Jo'l ! 1576-77 5<i37 Maurice Joel l^oi-jre PLtnis I 1877-755 3-' Mam ire J<d |Georße Haivis ! 1878 79 3639 Maurice Jo;l Simuel Jacobs 18.9 80564', Gotfiey Jacob! ( Maullc , Joc i ' 1880-Si F f4l Mauricr Joil Abraham Solomon I )«M-*2 56-12 Abr. Stl nion Samuel Jacobs j 1&2-S35643 Samuel Jaobs K. Nathan , ISB3-84 oW E. Nathan { J,,^^",, 1 ISS4-85 5P455 P 45 Maurice Joel D R Theomin ISSS 86 s*i4i> Julius Hyoiaa A. "iwvers'.on 38SK-87 W47 ■ Julius Hjin<in D Jj. Witouiin 1857-8^ SGI'- B I*,a c Saul Solomon ]hSB 89 5H49D. X Theomin l.ouis Mendds ihn 188 MIS 56 0 1). K. Theom n Louis Alendeisobn 1890-91 5651 D. X Tne-mniu Louis MunJe'Eohn 1891-92 5652 L. Mtndelsohu bamuel Jacub* 1392-93 s'Js< i>. X 'iheonain Saniull Jacobs 181-3-94 ;«WP E Theomin Louis" Mendelsohn ]89<95 s'>ssD E Tiucnvn — Finker 1895-t-6 565' Ju'ius Hyitan D. X Theomin ]f-9(i-97 s<ifi7 Julius Hyman I . X 'lhetmin 3897-08 SO Julius Hyman I>. li Tbeouiin 1889 5r5S Julius llymar. I . E Throram 1899-00 56fc"0 Jnhus Hjinan D H. Tueoniin 1930-91 sti6ilJnliug Hyrnan U. E. Tp>omin This list shoAvs how the burden and heat of the day has been borne. In the early days of the first Moray place Synagogue, up to the removal to the present one, the Nathans, the Isaac*. Mr Joel, ar.d !»Ir Hyman stand prominent for public terv.ee. i Up to 1880 Mi- Joel was 10 time^ treasurer and four time's president, another term being served in 1884-85. Up to 1880, Mr Hymaa had been president twice, and since then eight times. After 1880 the new conditions brought out new men, I the most notable being Mr D. E. Theomin, who became treasurer in 1884, and has Mnce filled that office eight times, and has been six times president in a period of 16 years. Mr L. Mendelsohn and Mr S. Jacobs have each been treasurer four times and president once. The late Mr Abraham Solomon was once president and twice treasurer ; but he rendered his best seivice to the congregation in his care of the burying ground for many years. Since the fir=t Jewish marriage in Dunedin, on September 17, 1862, when Mr Abraham Myers was united to Johanna Ehrenfried, there have been 56 others celebrated, and the register shows the total births in the congregation to be 257, -nhile the deaths recorded amount to 109. Of course, the figures do not apply to Dunedin alone, for the congregation is represented in nearly every town in Otigo ; but they can be regarded as strictly congregational. Mr Henry Nathan celebrated five marriages. Mr D. M. Isaacs one, Rev. Jacob Lsvy e.ght, Rev. J. Zachariah (of Christchurch) one. Rev. Mr Lichtenstein 31. Rev. Mr Chodowski two when minister o£ Christchurch, Rev. MiHarrison four, and Rev. Mr Chodowski four a* minister of Dunedin. It still remains to give some notice of the ministers who have served the congregation in holy things from the humblest beginnings, when New Zealand was almost a t^rra incognita to Jev. s, until now, when she is in touch at ith the centre of the Jewish religion and can command the best efforts of learned rabbis. The first minister was Mr David Isaacs, a lay preacher, appointed in August, 1863, on the formation of the congregation, -who retired in 1864. Until the appointment of the Rev. Jacob Levy in November. 1867, the duties of the synagogue were performed by Mr Joseph Myers, Mr Lazar (then tOTin clerk of Dunedin). and Mr H. Nathan, all of whom received the thanks of the congregation. Mr Levy resigned in 1874, and -the Chief Rabbi was requested to engage and .send out a minister at a salary o£-£3OO per annum, besides allowances-. Accordingly, the Rev. Bernard Lichtenstein was engaged, and arrived in Dunedin in 1875. This gentleman was a native of Russia, and had been minister at Cardiff, in South Wales His labours extended over 17 year*, until his death in June. 1892. Mr Lichtenstein was a Hebrew scholar of the fir«t rank, a deep, constant student of the Talmud and rabbinical commentators, and, like most of the religion in Russia, a strictly pious and orthodox Jew ; and the good work he did for the congregation during his ministry will never be forgotten. He was very popular amongst his congregation, as. well as with Christians. Personally, he was of a quiet and retiring disposition. He was a conscientious Freemason, and a past master of a Dunedin lodge. His "w idow and family still reside in Dunedin. After his death there was a period of 18 months during which there was no minister, and the duties were discharged by members of the congregation, with the assistance, when necessary, of the Rev. A. T. Chodowski, then minister at Chrifclchurch. The Rev. J L. Harrison, minfster of Norwich. England, ilext became minister in Apiil, 1893, and resigned in 1897. There was again a vacancy of 12 months, during which Mr L. Mendelsohn and Dr Heinemann acted as lay readers^. In April, 1398, the Rev. A. T. Chodowbki. who had been for some years mmisI ter of the Brisbane Congregation, Queens- ' land^ was ap£ouited A and arrived in Duu-

edm in June ot the .^rme yc«r. Mi C !hjdow«ki is a natne of l'o<-en, in IV..! 5 -*.!, ths youngest of four s-oii'. of the late R.ibbi Iviac Jacob Chodowtki. all of \Un.iu aic iabbi<>. He received his eaily Heine v. jnd Talmudical education from h s, father, did his first certificate from Rabbi Weldler. of Schoenlake, Piov:nce Po*en, in 1882. Mr Chodowj-ki thcieaftei pioccedcd to Berlin, where, for a numbar of years, he studied under the well-known rabbi, Dr Zombei. Pres'deat of the Talmudical College, v here most of the young (Jerman and Au^trnn nimis.tcis rcce.ve their training; and while there he had the great privilege of attend"ni£ the pmate clas-ses of the distinguished rabbi, Da" J. Hilde&heimcr, vho died onh la^t, year. At the mitigation of li s bi other, who was minister tit Sheffield, Mr Chodow«ki went to London, and on the lecommendation of Dr Herman Adler and Dr Friedlander. iv, b admitted to the Jews' College, a distinction never befoie confeired on a foreigner. After two years and a-half study theie, he was sent by the Chief Rabbi to Belfast for the services of the holy days, and he was aiteiwards offered the chaise of the congregations at Leicester and Belfast on the same day. He chose the former, ar.d discharged the duties for two years. In 1889. out of 20 candidates, he was selected by the Chief Rabbi and the Rev. Dr Loewy for the congregation of Chi-is-tchnrch. In 1895 he left Christchurch, and became minister of the Brisbane congregation, where he remained until June. 1898, when he. on appointment, took over the di.ties oi hb present charge During the whole of his experience Mr Chodo-u-ki ha* closely himself with all social movements of a benevolent, charitab'e, and elevating nature. Altogether free from religious prejudices-, with experience of many phases of life, he throws himself heartily into works of that kind, and is welcomed by all classes of Christians as a libera 1 minded man. The musical portion of the seivice in the synagogue was first put on a proper footing by the appointment in 1875 of Mr Joseph Moss, of this city, a<< choii master — a gentleman well Qualified by long expei ienco r.nd musical ability for the duties He hr.d been a member of the choir of the (ilreat Synagogue in London, of which his father was master. He was very successful for"tnany years. After his resignation there was no choirmaster until last year, when Mr Robertshaw. who now discharges the duties, -was appointed. It may be mentioned that, as the congregation is an "oithodox" one, as distinguished from a " leformed " ibc-dv. no organ is used at divine ccrviee on Sabbath. It i« only used on sp^ial occas'ons. such as wedding*, etc. The education of the young in Hebrew and the elementary pr.nciples of religion is in the hands of the mui-ster, ard the Masses, juiror and senior.- meet every Sunday morning during session. Every boy before he makes profession of Jiis religion must have acquired the proficiency to enable him to read a portion of scripture before the congregation. It is. of course, optional to, him to continue his studies, and it is essential that he should do fo if he desiies ;, knowledge of that great body of Jewish law and custom, the Talmud ar.d the Commentaries upon it. These writings have never been translated as a whole into any modern language, although fragments heie and there have been rendeied into other tongues ; so that unless the Talmud is to remain a sea 7 ed book to him the student must never abandon his work. Tho«e who lnve the means and opportunity betake themselves to some continent il seminary, or to the Jews" College in London, where systematic tiaining is imuarted. We have thus end€avoured to reveal the story of the Dunedin Hebrew Congregation to general readers. It may not vie w ith other religious bodies in numbers and importance. Its^sphere of effect is strictly confined to influencing its own members But it will be seen that under unrestricted liberty of speech and conscience and fieedom of action, a very small body can become a respectable representative of that grand old religion, the principles of which \inderhe all the structures of the Chiistian churches. At present it gives us pleasure to testify that at no previous time has the congregation been so activ« and prosperous, nor have its leading members been better citizens ; for in every movement, patriotic or charitable, the Jews of Dunedin have always borne an honourable pait. The portraits which appear in onr Illustrations have been kindly supplied by members of the congregation.