5 073 053 Booh of tbe Spanish anb Portuguese Congregation Sbearitb Hsrael tn tbe Cits of Wew 5668*1908 OUR PRESENT SYNAGOGUE CENTRAL PARK WEST AND SEVENTIETH STREET Booh ot tbe Spanish anb Portuguese Congregation Sbearitb Israel in tbe Gits of Hew H>orfc 5668*1008 HiDStitn (k of the first synagogue erected for the congregation made from memory by an old resident. flScer0 of tbe Congregation for tbe present gear flMnigter ano Rev. D. peretra flDenoes, 2>.H>. assistant TRer. Isaac oe la penba (to December, 1907) Kex>. S>avtD oe Sola ipool, pb. ID. (from ccember, 1907) 3Boar& of Urustees %, flapoleon presfbent of tbe oar& ant> patnas Belais Uice=presiScnt of tbe Soaro ans SSegan ia A. 2117316 3be Congregation The handful of men, women and children who formed the original community in 1655 numbered probably seventy to seven- ty-five persons, and included those who arrived in that year from Brazil in the Ship St. Catarina and from the West Indies in the Ship Pear-Tree in the preceding year. The community included also a few established merchants from Holland and the West Indies and necessarily not a few settlers who needed help. A large proportion of the congregation to-day are direct de- scendants of the original members and of those who joined the congregation in the first century of its existence. Typical of this fact is the circumstance that, of the present Board of Trustees, three out of the seven, besides the clerk of the board, are direct descendants of Isaac Mendez Seixas,* who died in 1781, and two others of the board are married to his descendants. The Parnas, treasurer and clerk are descended from Rev. David Mendez Machado, minister of the congregation from 1734 to 1753. From Hazanim Abraham Haim de Lucena, (1682-1720), David Mendez Machado (1734-1753), Gershom Mendez Seixas (1766-1816), and Moses Levi Maduro Peixotto (1816-1828), and from Hayman Levy, Luis Gomez, Joseph Torres, Jonas Phil- lips, Uriah Hendricks, Simon Nathan, Isaac Moses, Isaac Mendez Seixas and Moses Levy (of Newport. R. I.), are descended many members of the present congregation. The ancient congregation Jeshuat Israel of Newport, R. I., organized in 1658, was originally composed of Spanish and Por- tuguese Jews, and the historical burial ground and Synagogue at that place are interesting mementoes of our pious co-religionists of those early days. Subsequently many of the members of that congregation removed to New York and associated themselves Isaac Mendez Seixas was one of the signers in 177O of the pact to make more stringent the "Non-importation Agreement." with and became members of our Congregation. The title to the Synagogue and Cemetery is now vested in our trustees in trust for the perpetual devotion thereof to their holy purposes. flDini0ter0 of tbe Congregation Saul Moreno, 1655-1682. Abraham Haim de Lucena, 1682-1720. Benjamin Wolf, 1720-1726. Moses Lopez de Fonseca, 1726- 1734- David Mendes Machado, 1734- 1753- Benjamin Pereira Mendes, 1753-I759- Joseph Jessurun Pinto, 1759- 1766. Gershom Mendez Seixas, 1766- 1816. Jacob Raphael Cohen, 1783. Emanuel Nunez Carvalho, 1784. Moses Levi Maduro Peixotto, 1816-1828. Isaac Benjamin Mendez Seixas, 1828-1839. Jacques Judah Lyons, 1839- 1877. Haim Pereira Mendes, 1877. LIST OF PARNASIM OF THE CONGREGATION FROM THE REVOLUTION (5536-1776) TO THE PRESENT TIME. Jonas Phillips, 5536-1776. Solomon Simson, 5544-1784. Myer Myers, 5545-1785. Hayman Levy, 5545~ I 785- Benjamin Seixas, 5546-1786. Samuel Judah, 5548-1788. Manuel Myers, 5549-1789. Isaac Moses, 5549-1789. Alexander Zuntz, 5553-1793- Ephraim Hart, 5554-1794- Simon Nathan, 5556-1796. Joshua Isaacs, 5559-1799. Jacob Hart, 5560-1800. Isaac Abrahams, 5562-1802. Benjamin Gomez, 5562-1802. Naphtali Judah, 5563-1803. Col. Aaron Levy, 5564-1804. Bernard Hart, 5566-1806. Israel B. Kursheedt, 5570-1810. Seixas Nathan, 5571-1811. Joel Hart, M.D., 5571-1811. Benjamin S. Judah, 5573-1813. Hyam M. Salomon, 5573-1813. Joseph Jacobs, 5575-1815. Naphtali Phillips, 5576-1816. Harmon Hendricks, 5584-1824. Moses L. Moses, 5587-1827. Solomon J. Isaacs, 5591-1831. Eleazar S. Lazarus, 5606-1846. Benjamin Nathan, 5606-1846. Solomon I. Joseph, 5606-1846. Samuel Lazarus, 5610-1850. Isaac Phillips, 5615-1855. Jacob L. Seixas, 5618-1858. Jonathan Nathan, 5622-1862. Jules S. Abecasis, 5624-1864. Barrow Benrimo, 5629-1869. A. R. Brandon Moses, 5630- 1870. Solomon L. Cohen, 5638-1878. Asher Kursheedt, 5640-1880. Horatio Gomez, M.D., 5641- 1881. Joseph Blumenthal, 5642-1882. J. Edgar Phillips, 5644-1884. Isaac Brandon, 5652-1892. L. Napoleon Levy, 5653-1893. (The above dates refer only to the first term of office. Many of the Parnasim were re-elected, sometimes after many years' interval. The list of Parnasim prior to 5644-1784, as far as our records show, will be printed in a future year-book, together with a list of the Seganim.) Report of tbe rtMnteter THE SERVICES. The services are substantially the same as those conducted by the founders. This constitutes a valuable link with the past, and the old melodies, such as those of Rosh Hoshana, Yom Kippur and the other holy days, have all the more charm for us to-day be- cause they are the same which our own fathers and mothers sang and which have grown to be part of our earliest and most sacred religious associations. Besides conducting- the time-honored services, it has been also my privilege to preach on Sabbaths and Holy days. I would suggest that special services be held in the Synagogue on Choi Hamoed of Succoth, on Hanucah and on Pureem, with a social gathering afterwards in the assembly and vestry rooms. The social life of the congregation should always be a most im- portant consideration. STATISTICS OF THE YEAR. During the year 1907 I solemnized seventeen marriages. During the same period there have been, I regret to say, twenty deaths, among them some of our oldest and most esteemed mem- bers and seat-holders. EDUCATIONAL WORK. I conducted during the past year, ladies' Bible classes, a young people's Circle for the study of Jewish history and literature, Youth's Class for Jewish history and ethics, Young Men's Cir- cle for discussion of Jewish subjects, Teachers' meetings for the discussion of methods, etc., evening classes for the instruction of the Graduates in higher Jewish ethics, Sabbath afternoon Circle for reading of the Torah with comments of Rashi, etc., besides supervising the Sunday School as superintendent. I have recently instituted a Kindergarten Bible Class under the direction of a qualified lady. This last provides for the religious education of our children up to school-age. Our Sunday School takes those of school age. Our Youths' Class provides for those who are too old for our School-influence. We have additional Hebrew classes for children, for young ladies and gentlemen and for the training of our own teachers. Our young men and women are continued under religious and Jewish thought-influence by our Young People's Circle, and additional work in this direction is being planned in our Junior League. Our Young Men's Circle provides for subjects of special interest to young men, just as our West Side Culture Circles does for young women and a Ladies' Hebrew Class meets once a week. Finally, those of our elders who care to continue Jewish studies gather every week for the Sabbath Afternoon Circle for Perushim, etc. A Culture Circle for young girls is also under my supervision, in which I am assisted by my wife and Rev. Dr. David de Sola Pool. In all the duties I welcome with much anticipation the assist- ance of my new associate, Rev. Dr. David de Sola Pool, whose family traditions, studies and personal inclinations assure me that his help will be invaluable in the work and the upbuilding of the congregation. COLLECTIONS. It will not be out of place to call attention to some of our recent congregational collections. At the time of the San Francisco earthquake the total amount forwarded by us, exclusive of what our members sent direct to the general fund or to other special funds, was $1,415.18. At the Tabernacle Festival of 5667 (1906) a collection was suggested to furnish the Succah with new table-service, to mark the 10 twenty-fifth anniversary of the ladies' committee in charge of the Succah decoration and our two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. The service was specially made with an original design embracing the symbols of the festival and the seal of the congregation. We feel deeply our obligation in this matter to the ladies of the Sister hood Succah Committee, under the earnest and efficient leadership of its chairman, Miss M. Rosina Samuel. For the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Fund the usual col- lection was made. It will be of interest to note here that the terrible earthquake through which the Portuguese community in Kingston, Jamaica, suffered with the others, was the occasion for us to make another collection. This enabled us to forward $538.75, a thousand pounds of Matzoth and a quantity of clothing to the local relief com- mittee. We have also had special collections for the San Francisco synagogues, and for the United Hebrew Charities of this city. CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETIES. The congregation to-day has the following societies in active operation : The Hebra Hased V'Amet, the Hebrew Relief Society, the Polonies Talmud Torah School, the Sisterhood, the Junior League of the Sisterhood, and the West Side Culture Circle. Re- ports of these societies will be found below. Contrasting the scope of our congregational work two hun- dred and fifty years ago with its present activities, we are humbly grateful to God that we are able to accomplish the measure of effective work which we attempt to-day. Time has brought many changes, and the community of Jews in New York in 1655 numbering probably less than 75 has now become a community of at least 750,000. The statistics attest that our congregation strives for the com- munal good and, above all, for the glory of God. As our sphere of work extends, so the necessity for more workers and for more co-operation increases. No man or woman of the Bible age of manhood or woman- hood, twenty years old and upward, affiliated with us, ought to n refrain from aiding the congregation in its work by contributing to its funds, by personal service and by encouragement in its activities. Such occasions as anniversaries of joy or sorrow should be utilized to send a contribution for charity or for the general pur- poses of the congregation, in order to show gratitude to God for joy, or to consecrate the memory of the departed loved one when an anniversary of such death occurs. Furthermore it is earnestly urged that testamentary bequests be made for sacred congregational or for philanthropic purposes. What purposes are more sacred than the perpetuation of the re- ligion in which our fathers and mothers lived and died? I plead for this, not for the glory of the individual, not for the glory of the Congregation, but for the glory of God, the God of Shearith Israel. H. PEREIRA MENDES, Minister. 12 Report of tbe pre0tt>ent The number of electors and seat-holders has been practically unchanged for several years. We have in our congregation to-day, approximately 450. We have regretfully relinquished the services of the Rev. Isaac de la Penha as assistant Kazan. During the years that he has been with us he has gained the respect of all and has largely contributed to the dignity of our services. The Rev. Dr. David de Sola Pool, of England, succeeds him in office. A call was extended to him in 1906 by the trustees, which he accepted, pending the completion of his university course in Germany. We have every reason to believe that our choice has been a wise one. He was inducted into the Jewish ministry and into office as our assistant by our minister with most impressive ceremony on Sabbath Vay'chi, December 2ist. The Synagogue attendance more than maintains its average. During the recent Kipur Holyday we initiated a successful innovation by using the large assembly room for overflow services for those strangers whom we have not been able to accommo- date in our main Synagogue. These were conducted by Mr. M. Guedalia, assisted by his sons and Mr. R. H. Melamed, with such gratifying results that I recommend their continuation from year to year. It is my pleasure to report that receipts from membership and offerings have somewhat increased over those of previous years. Receipts from all sources, $27,829-16; expenditures, $26,123.34; balance with the treasurer, $1,706.82. 13 The property of the Congregation is as follows, all of which is unincumbered : Real estate : No. 7 West I9th Street, site of present synagogue and minister's house, corner 7oth Street and Central Park West. Burial grounds: New Bowery; nth Street, east of Sixth Avenue; 2ist Street, west of Sixth Avenue, and Cypress Hills, Long Island. The resources of the Congregation include investments, on bond and mortgage, $60,309.20. The liabilities of the Congregation are: Due to the Hebrew Relief Society, $18,000; Bond issue, $8,400. Special Funds : Polonies Talmud Torah School Fund Re- ceipts, $1,442.71 ; expenditures, $1,281.04; balance with treasurer, $310.37 ; capital invested, $24,769.77. Hesdra fund, $3,160 (income devoted to charity). Perpetual Cemetery Improvement Fund, $6,740; income de- voted to care of certain plots. I take pleasure in announcing that Mr. Adolph Wallach has established the Antony Wallach Perpetual Memorial Prize Fund of $1,000 for the Polonies Talmud Torah School, as a memorial to his deceased brother, the late Mr. Antony Wallach, who was for many years trustee and treasurer of our Congregation. The Hon. N. Taylor Phillips has also established a Prize Fund of $25 annually, as a Rev. J. J. Lyons memorial prize for Hebrew. The following are the standing committees of the Board of Trustees : FINANCE Messrs. Nathan, Lyons, Hyman. POLONIES TALMUD TORAH SCHOOL Messrs. Belais, Cardozo, Elias. BURIAL GROUNDS Messrs. Cardozo, Belais, Hyman. BUILDING AND REPAIRS Messrs. Hyman, Lyons, Elias. CHOIR Messrs. Lyons, Cardozo, Nathan. MEMBERSHIP Messrs. Elias, Lyons, Belais. It was recently our privilege to unveil a tablet of bronze and marble in memory of our deceased ministers, which has been placed on the western wall of the auditorium and bears the fol- lowing inscription : 14 THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY THE CONGREGATION SHEARITH ISRAEL IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK UPON THE TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE JEWS IN THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGREGATION IN MEMORY OF ITS DECEASED MINISTERS Saul Moreno' . Abraham Ilaim de Lacena Kenjamin Wolf MOMS Lopez de Fonseoa David Mendes Machado lienjamin 1'ereln Mendes 16 1 J-182 Joseph Jessuran Pinto . . 1759-17M 1882-17-^0 (iershom Mendez Sebcas . . 1766-1816 1730-1726 Jacob Raphael Cohen. 178\ Acting 1728-1784 Kmanuel Nunez Carvalho, 1784/ Ministers 1784-1763 Moses Levl Maduro Peiiotto, 1816-1828 1768 1769 Isaac Benjamin Mendes Seucas, 1828 1839 Jarqnes Judah Lyons, 1839-1877 nyn Dan* urn '^D D'jn AND I WILL GIVE YOU PASTORS AFTER MINE OWN HEART WHO SHALL FEED YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. Jer. ill, 15. 666C=1005. I take this opportunity to place on record this Congregation's deep appreciation of the devotion of all those, its honored minis- ters, to its most sacred interests and to the general interests of the community from the first years of Jewish settlement in this city. Kazan Saul Brown, or Moreno, was our acting minister in the stormy days when the first stand was made for the religious and civic rights of the Jews against the bigotry and oppressive meas- ures of Peter Stuyvesant. It was this Saul Moreno who, when later he became a private merchant, led a movement to induce Governor Dongan to remove a certain municipal regulation in- terfering with the Jews' right to trade. Abraham de Lucena, who afterwards succeeded Saul Moreno as Kazan, applied in 1655, with others, for a burying ground for our Congregation. The next year he demanded for the Jews the right to trade and hold real estate, and later in the year he peti- tioned for further extension of those rights. Kazan Joseph Jessurun Pinto arranged the table for the time of commencing Sabbath in the City of New York. Foremost of our early leaders in religious and civic matters was Gershom Mendez Seixas, who was minister of our Congre- gation for over fifty years, extending over the historic period of the American Revolution, in which he evinced to a notable degree his fervent patriotism. He closed the doors of our synagogue and left the citv rather than conduct services under British rule. Better known as Saul Brown. 15 He went to Philadelphia where he founded the Mikveh Israel Congregation. On his return to New York he became one of the incorporators and one of the Trustees of Columbia College (formerly King's College), which office he held from 1784 to 1815. During that period he was also one of the regents of the University of the State of New York. His distinguished services and his erudition marked him as one of the most prominent civilians of his time. Next to him I would mention the Rev. Jacques J. Lyons, for thirty-eight years the spiritual head of our Congregation. His earnestness and zealous sympathy for whatever concerned our Congregation and our co-religionists will always be affectionately remembered. For more than a generation he was a notable part of the social and family life of the Congregation. He was presi- dent of our Hebra for several years, superintendent and principal of the Polonies Talmud Torah School, and one of the directors of the Sampson Simson Jewish Seminary and Scientific Institute. To both the two last named, appropriate memorial tablets have been erected. Two other mural tablets are erected as memorials in our sacred place of worship. These commemorate the bene- factions of Washington Hendricks, who bequeathed "$5,000 for the needs of this holy Congregation and the charitable organiza- tions associated therewith," and Abraham Touro, who "bequeathed $10,000 to this holy Congregation." During the year we have approved the selection of a minister for the Newport Synagogue, and in various other matters we have exercised the prerogative vested in us as trustees of the synagogue and cemetery properties. Our congregation is seeking to conduct its work modestly and is at all times ready to continue its efforts for the general good. The huge growth of the Jewish community of this city has neces- sitated the creation of many communal institutions. But let it always be remembered that for nearly two centuries our con- gregation shouldered the responsibilities of the entire community by providing for the education of the young and the relief of the poor. Now, when the members of our old congregation constitute but an insignificant fraction of the Jewish population of New York, its participation in the communal work at large, both in 16 personal efforts and in material support, is certainly not less than commensurate with its numerical proportion to the total number of Jews in New York. This congregation was closely identified with the founding of the first Jewish communal institutions in this city. The Mt. Sinai Hospital, the original name of which was "Jews' Hospital in New York," was founded in 1852 by Sampson Simson, who was a member of this congregation and the son of one of our earliest presidents. Its first treasurer was Henry Hendricks, and its first secretary, Benjamin Nathan, both of whom were members of this congregation. On the death of Sampson Simson, Benjamin Nathan became president and Theodore J. Seixas, one of the original directors of the Hospital and a son of Reverend Gershom Mendez Seixas, became secretary of the Hospital. Isaac Phillips, who was for many years president of our congregation, and who was the father of our present Clerk, was also one of the original directors of the Hospital. On the death of Benjamin Nathan, the Honorable Emanuel B. Hart, also a member of our congregation, became president of the Hospital, and the resident physician for many years was Dr. Mark Blumen- thal, now one of our oldest members. Five of the nine incorporators of the Hospital (1852), were members of our congregation, Messrs. Sampson Simson, Ben- iamin Nathan, Henry Hendricks, Theodore J. Seixas and Isaac Phillips, and on 5th Adar 5614 (5th March, 1854), in recognition of their services in the establishment of the institution, Messrs. Asher Kursheedt, Emanuel Knight, George Henriques, Emanuel B. Hart and Adolphus S. Solomons were elected honorary mem- bers of the Hospital, and their names were directed to be in- scribed on a tablet to be placed in the Hospital Building. Among others of the earliest workers may be mentioned Rev. J. J. Lyons and Mr. Barrow Benrimo. The Hebrew Sheltering Guardian Society was founded (1879) by Hon. Phillip J. Joachimsen, of our Congregation, who re- mained President of the Society until his death, and who was at one time President of the Hebrew Benevolent Society, now the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. The Training School for Nurses, attached to Mount Sinai Hospital, was planned by the late Mrs. Alma Hendricks. In her 17 memory, steps were taken to call such an institution into existence by Mrs. Florian H. Florance, Mrs. Charles Hendricks and Mr. Albert Hendricks, who invited the co-operation of others. A meeting of ladies of various congregations was called for that purpose for 2/th Heshvan, 5641 (ist November, 1881), at Mount Sinai Hospital. On lyar I2th (May u, 1882) the institution was opened, with Mrs. Florian H. Florance as president and Mrs. Charles Hendricks as honorary secretary. On 23d Tebet, 5644 (2ist January, 1884), our Trustees, at the instance of our minister, invited the co-operation of the officers, trustees and directors of various congregations and in- stitutions of the city, to mark appropriately the approaching cen- tenary of Sir Moses Montefiore by the creation of something of practical value to the general community. Meetings for that pur- pose were field in the Synagogue, West Nineteenth Street, and the result was the establishment of the "Montefiore Home for Chronic Invalids," with Mr. Henry S. Allen as President and Hon. A. S. Solomons as Vice-President, both members of our Congregation. On Rosh Hodesh Shebat, 5646 (;th of January, 1 1886), through the action of Rev. Dr. Sabato Morais of Philadelphia, and Rev. Dr. Mendes, our minister, our trustees co-operated in a movement to found a Jewish Seminary, now under the direc- tion of Professor Schechter, and contributed to the endowment of a permanent fund. The sessions were held during the first year in the rooms of our Synagogue, then on I9th Street. The Seminary shortly after its organization was consolidated with the Jewish Theological Seminary and Scientific Institution, organized and endowed in 1852 by Mr. Sampson Simson, who was its first president. At the time of the consolidation Hon. Joseph Blumenthal, a member of our congregation, was the presi- dent of this institution, and after the consolidation became presi- dent of the present Seminary and continued to hold that office until his death in 1901, when he was succeeded by Hon. A. S. Solomons, one of our oldest members. The Rev. Sabato Morais, LL. D., was the first president of its faculty, and, upon his death, was succeeded by Rev. Dr. H. Pereira Mendes. In 5658 (June, 1898), the first convention of the Union of 18 Orthodox Jewish Congregations of the United States and Canada was held in the rooms of our Synagogue, under the leadership of our minister and Rev. M. de Sola, of Montreal. The object of the convention was to strengthen the interests of historical Judaism. Rev. Dr. H. Pereira Mendes was chosen president and still occupies that position. In the last few years the communal work of the Congregation and its constituent societies has extended to such proportions that additional meeting rooms and school accommodations are neces- sary. A plan is now under consideration to erect additional stories on the small synagogue or to provide in some other way for these present needs. But before this very desirable undertaking* is com- menced provision must be made to finance the expense which is estimated at about $25,000. There is hardly a Sunday morning in the whole season of work which does not demonstrate how inadequate are our present accommodations for Sunday School and other classes, trustee and societies' committees, and other similar requirements. Many and many a time the building presents the scene of a busy hive. We would welcome visits from any of our members and especially from those who imagine that the synagogue build- ing is used only for purposes of prayer and school. I believe that even one visit would mean a revelation to many of our members. I am certain that every visitor would leave us with an enlarged idea of modern congregational work, and with an increased in- terest in our Synagogue and its activities. Our congregation should continue its active interest in the wel- fare of our co-religionists who are not affiliated with our syna- gogue. This is especially desirable in the congested Jewish quar- ters of this city and notably, in the downtown district. Among the greatest of our duties is the duty of administering to their spiritual wants, and to that end I look forward to the time when a free school and synagogue can be built and maintained by our congregation. The young men and young women who feel and who express their need of spiritual assistance will be thus helped by us. And in time, not a few of them would be found valuable upbuilders of our congregation's influence for the general welfare of the New York Jewish Community. A special committee was appointed at our recent congrega- 19 tional meeting 1 to investigate the question of the 2ist Street ceme- tery and the advisability of the removal of the remains, owing- to the encroachment of trade and the difficulty of keeping the ground in decent order. The Board of Trustees has the matter under consideration, with due regard to the respect which should be paid to the resting-place of our dead and to the requirements of our own duty. May our congregation continue to guard the holy interests entrusted to us, the successors of those who sacrificed so much for their religion and who helped with life and treasure to create and upbuild this great Republic in whose midst we dwell "every one in safety." And may we continue to help forward the welfare of the New York Jewish Community and the interests of our holy religion in all lands ! L. NAPOLEON LEVY, President. 20 Congregational Societies HEBRA HASED V'A-AMET. The Hebra Hased V'a-Amet was established Tamuz, 5562 (1802). In Tebet, 5572, its constitution and laws were revised by Rev. Gershom M. Seixas, Messrs. I. B. Kursheedt, M. L. Moses, Aaron Levy and Naphtali Phillips. In Tamuz, 5611, a committee of revision was appointed as follows : Rev. J. J. Lyons, T. I. Tobias, Isaac Phillips, Benjamin Nathan, Jacob Benrimo, assisted ex-officio by Messrs. Hillel M. Seixas, president ; Joseph Brandon, treasurer; L. Joachimsen, secretary. Their revision was adopted in Heshvan, 5612. The duty of the society is to attend to the burial of its mem- bers, but the burial of indigent strangers and poor connected with the congregation frequently devolves upon it. In 1902 the society celebrated the one hundredth anniversary. The Acting Mayor of the City of New York and other civic and official representatives took part in the celebration. The balance-sheet shows $9,500 invested, exclusive of a be- quest last year amounting to $10,000 from the estate of the late Amelia B. Lazarus. Receipts, including balance carried over from preceding year $3,381.48 Expenditures $1,701.38 Purchase of New York City Bond 1,500.00 3,201.38 Balance $ 180.10 Its officers are : David de Meza, honorary president ; Samuel L. Hyman, president; Mortimer M. Menken, vice-president; N. Tay- lor Phillips, treasurer ; L. Mankiewicz, secretary ; Rev. Dr. H. Pe- reira Mendes, L. Napoleon Levy. Ernest A. Cardozo, Adolph Wallach, directors. The dues are $4 per annum. 21 HEBREW RELIEF SOCIETY. The origin of this society we find in an act passed on April n, 1831, "to incorporate the society for the education of poor children and relief of indigent persons of the Jewish persuasion, in the City of New York." On May 2, 1870, an act was passed to consolidate the Hebrew Relief Society and the Hebrew Female Benevolent Society of the congregation. The object of this society is primarily to supply the wants of reduced members of our congregation, where it is desirable to avoid the publicity which is naturally associated with a public charitable institution. Such a society is a very desirable adjunct to a congregation. There is no sorrow more terrible than want, with pride to stand in the way of relief. In every congregation there are instances where help, sufficient for the need and not a partial aid, is demanded and where timely pecuniary help without pub- licity is required. The annual dues are $3.00. Since the foundation of the United Hebrew Charities the Hebrew Relief Society has given an annual grant of $500 to that institution. It is now one of the only two of the original federated or constituent societies of the United Hebrew Charities which still continue their adhesion. Its last annual report shows: Receipts, $1,446.08; disburse- ments, $815.50. The assets of the society are as follows: PERMANENT FUND. Loaned to Congregation at 4 1-2 per cent. .$18,000.00 Invested in N. Y. City 4 1-2 per cent. Bonds at cost 5,738.88 Deposited in Greenwich Savings Bank at 4 per cent 216.22 $23,955.10 GENERAL FUND. Deposited in Second National Bank I 97-9 I Deposited in Greenwich Savings 892.87 1,090.78 Total Assets $25,045.88 22 The officers are: L. Napoleon Levy, president; Samuel L. Hyman, vice-president; Albert J. Elias, treasurer; Louis Man- kiewicz, secretary; Rev. Dr. H. Pereira Mendes, Henry Belais, Gratz Nathan and M. A. C. Levy, board of managers. Represen- tative in the Board of Directors of the United Hebrew Charities, Mr. L. Napoleon Levy. V. THE POLONIES TALMUD TORAH SCHOOL. This, the oldest Jewish school in the city, was founded in 1808, and will celebrate its centennial in the coming spring. It educates the children of the congregation and all children who desire to come to us. The trustees of the congregation are ex-officio trustees of this fund. The fund has received accessions from time to time by donations or bequests from Myer Polonies, $900.00; Rachel Pinto, $666.91; Judah Touro, $13,000; Mrs. Elizabeth Ostheim. $1,000. Donations: State of New York, $2,601.78; City of New York, $421. A short account of the origin of this institution will not be out of place. "At a meeting of the subscribers to the Hebrew and English school, the I5th of May, 1808, Jacob Hart, Sr., was ap- pointed chairman, and Isaac M. Gomez, secretary. On motion, Resolved, That a committee of three subscribers be elected by ballot, who shall be empowered to co-operate with a committee of the trustees, to draft a plan, rules and regulations for the es- tablishment of a Hebrew and English school, to contract with a suitable teacher or teachers, and to do every other thing requisite. "Messrs. Gompert S. Gomperts, Judah Zuntz and Mr. Joel Hart were duly elected. The board of trustees appointed Messrs. I. B. Kursheedt, Moses L. Moses and Mordecai Myers to co- operate with the above-named gentlemen." The above is from the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Talmud Torah, established in the City of New York on the first day of Si van, in the year 5568, corresponding with the 27th day of May, 1808. New York : Printed by Henry C. South wick, No. 2 Wall Street. 23 The preamble, too long for insertion here, declares what is "the chief end in contemplation, viz. : to instil in the youthful mind a love of learning-, a veneration for religion and morality, and an attainment of useful instruction ; whilst all visionary and impracticable schemes should be rejected on the one hand, just as salutary maxims ought to be adopted on the other." The constitution is then given, of which Article i is as fol- lows : "That a school denominated Polonies Talmud Torah be estab- lished for the purpose of teaching the Hebrew and English lan- guages in all their concomitant branches. That the said school be under the immediate care and direction of the Board of Trus- tees, together with such inspectors as may be chosen; that a suitable teacher be provided, and the establishment to go into operation the seventh of June ensuing." Want of space prevents reproducing more of the original Con- stitution and the Rules and Regulations which are set forth in a pamphlet, interesting not simply because of its quaintness, but be- cause it indicates the deep earnestness and true religious spirit which then moved members of this congregation to care for the religious education of their children. The three inspectors appointed by ballot when the above Pre- amble, Constitution, etc., were adopted, were Messrs. Bernard Hart, Seixas Nathan and Joel Hart. The present Sunday session is designed in the Hebrew de- partment to qualify the pupils to translate the chief services and certain sections of the Torah, so as to be able to follow and par- ticipate in the ritual intelligently. In the English department it teaches religious duty, moral and ceremonial ; Scripture and post-biblical history and Jewish ideals. Wednesday afternoon classes are conducted in the Synagogue building. During the spring season, additional classes are held on Tues- day and Thursday evenings. The staff of the school consists of Rev. Dr. H. Pereira Men- des, superintendent; Miss Sarah Lyons, principal. Teachers : Rev. Dr. D. de Sola Pool, Messrs. Rossinger, Gustav Caiman, Sydney Katz, Jerome Katz, Mrs. L. A. Mitchell, the Misses Martha Weil, H. Katz, R. Illoway, G. Friedman, E. Boshkin, B. Goodman ( accompany ist), R. Hirsch. 24 THE SISTERHOOD. The Sisterhood was formed in 1877-78, when the Ladies' Aid Society, as it was then called, was organized for the relief of the poor and for the nourishment and care of convalescents. To these objects the ladies gave their personal service, and in a year or two a kindergarten was opened, followed in due time with other activities, such as mothers' meetings, sewing societies, etc. Shortly afterwards educational work among the poor was under- taken, the funds being provided by the envelope system that is, the members sent anonymous donations in envelopes to Rev. Dr. Mendes for that purpose. The school has worked regularly in the down-town district, and its "class-clubs" are a special feature. When Sisterhoods were formed in other congregations, it became necessary to co-ordinate the work of this congregation with the work of others, in view of the district system of the United Hebrew Charities. The three congregational societies the Ladies' Aid and Sewing Society, the Kindergarten and the En- velope Society were therefore amalgamated as a Sisterhood. It must, however, be remembered that the first named of the three was a revival of an old congregational ladies' society known as the Hebrew Female Benevolent Society of the Congregation Shearith Israel of the City of New York. This was founded as far back as 1821, when Mrs. Richea Levy was elected first directress; Miss Judith Myers, treasurer, and Miss Sally Levy, secretary. This society was merged into the Hebrew Relief Society by special act of the Legislature in 1870. The objects of the Ladies' Aid Society (incorporated 1888), as set forth in the following article from the certificate of incorporation, are "to provide, make and supply clothing to necessitous Israelites ; to administer relief in provisions or in other necessaries to the poor and indigent ; to secure to the industrious poor the means and opportunity of earning their livelihood." The present Sisterhood has faithfully carried out these objects. It has relief work, kindergarten, day nursery, children's sewing classes, girls' clubs, boys' clubs, young men's clubs, etc., and two religious schools. The Young People's League of the Sisterhood last Fall gave a very enjoyable affair to the children of the Congre- gation, the Talmud Torah school, and to some of the mission schools. 25 The nature of much of the Sisterhood's work recalls the fact that this congregation for 175 years was the means and the only means of keeping the ancient promise made in 1655 that the Jews in this city would take care of their own poor. For all those years our old congregation, as its records show, took entire charge of the communal work. It relieved poor residents ; it paid for the transportation of the poor from New York ; it established a school for Hebrew and religious education, which has been in existence for over one hundred years ; it buried the poor, for which purpose the Hebra was established in 1802. It is true that one hundred years ago the New York Jewish community was probably about 2.500, but we must not forget that we owe to our ancestors and predecessors a just recognition of an historic fact that not only they looked after the Jewish poor until other con- gregations were formed from 1824 and after, but above all, they kept up the honor of the Jewish name in the general community. ACTIVITIES OF THE SISTERHOOD. KINDERGARTEN : Conducted daily ; average attendance, 27. MOTHERS' MEETINGS: Held monthly. GIRLS' AND BOYS' CLUBS: Four evenings a week; average membership, 30. DAY NURSERY: Daily. RELIEF SECTION. In District East 7th to 9th Streets, co-operating with the United Hebrew Charities ; 340 cases in one year. Total amount expended, $11,913.30, of which the Sisterhood contributed $2,500. DISTRIBUTING AND SEWING SECTIONS: Distribute clothing weekly to worthy applicants and gives sewing to poor women ; $789.25 was expended. MISSION SCHOOLS : Sunday mornings in the Sisterhood rooms, 114 St. Mark's Race; average attendance, 70 girls. Sunday afternoons : At the Educational Alliance ; average attendance, 200 girls. SUCCAH COMMITTEE: Tabernacle of the Synagogue deco- rated for the festival. 26 HOLY VESTMENT COMMITTEE: Repairs Sepharim and all fur- nishings of the Synagogue. JUNIOR LEAGUE : Conducts sewing class for girls, four after- noons a week, with instructor; average attendance, 25. Expenses of the Sisterhood for the past year, $5,482.16. OFFICERS. Mrs. H. Pereira Mendes, Honorary President. Mrs. Mortimer M. Menken, President. Mrs. Edgar Hendricks, First Vice-President. Mrs. Albert J. Elias, Second Vice-President. Miss Ellen C. Phillips, Treasurer. Miss Emily R. Wolff, Recording Secretary. Mrs. Edwin Goldsmith, Corresponding Secretary, 157 West 8sth Street. BOARD OF MANAGERS. Mrs. Jacob G. Ascher Miss Sarah Nathan Mrs. Aaron J. Bloomberg Mrs. Julian Nathan Mrs. Edward O. Belais Miss Rachel G. Nathan Mrs. Henry Belais Mrs. Martin Nathan Mrs. William B. Cardozo Mrs. Beatrice H. Phillips Mrs. Maurice Cohen Mrs. N. Taylor Phillips Mrs. Julius Dukas Mrs. Maurice Powers Mrs. Emily G. Florence Mrs. Eugenie Raphael Mrs. Horatio Gomez Miss Essie Shoyer Mrs. Nathan S. Hart Mrs. Phineas H. Toledano Mrs. Julius Laubheim Mrs. Chas. G. Wolff Miss Sarah Lyons Mrs. Julius R. Wolff Mrs. L. Napoleon Levy THE JUNIOR LEAGUE. The Junior League is composed of younger members of the congregation and their friends. Its object is to supplement the work of the Sisterhood by maintaining a sewing class for girls and by helping the mission schools, etc., and to promote Jewish study and social intercourse among its members. 27 Its officers are : Rev. Dr. David de Sola Pool, president ; Miss Blanche H. Reitlinger, vice-president; Mr. E. Knight Harris, treasurer; Miss Ethel Hendricks, corresponding secretary; Mr. Edgar J. Nathan, Jr., recording secretary ; Delegate, Rev. Dr. D. de Sola Pool; Committee, Mr. D. Henry Cardozo, Jr., Mr. S. Howard Cohen, Mr. DeWitt Fox, Mr. Walter P. Frank, Miss E. Levy, Miss Frances W. Levy, Mr. Clarkson P. Ryttenberg. MINOR SOCIETIES. Among the smaller societies of the congregation may be men- tioned the circles now in full activity and already referred to in our Minister's report. The Culture Circle, the youngest of our societies, came into existence two years ago. It has grown rapidly and is maintained by Jewish working girls in this district and their friends. Its objects are indicated by the title, but a distinctly religious tone is encouraged. CONGREGATIONAL CLUBS. Friendly Club (Polonies Talmud Trah School). Loyal Club (Sisterhood work among girls). Friendly Circle (Sisterhood work among girls). Advance Club (Sisterhood work among young men). Albert J. Leon Club (Sisterhood work among boys). The Young Helpers (Down-town Mission School work). The Little Helpers (Down-town Mission School work). The Little Sunbeams (Down-town Mission School work). Dr. Mendes' Helpers (Down-town Mission School work). The Sunshine Circle (Down-town Mission School work). The Literary and Charity Circle (Down-town Mission School work). The object of these clubs is to train the members for com- munal work, and to educate them in altruistic principles. 28 WEEKLY CALENDAR OF CONGREGATIONAL WORK. Sunday : Teachers' Class. Polonies Talmud Torah School. Youths' Circle. West Side Culture Circle (alternate Sundays). Young Men's Circle, special dates. Monday: Ladies' Hebrew Class. Ladies' Bible Class. West Side Culture Circle (alternate Mondays). Tuesday: Young People's Circle (alternate Tuesdays). Wednesday: Polonies Talmud Torah School. Thursday: Kindergarten Bible Class. Junior Hebrew Class. Senior Hebrew Class. Sabbath: Gentlemen's Circle for Torah and Commentators. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees on the first Tues- day evening in the month. Regular meeting of the Sisterhood, the third Monday in the month. The office of the Clerk is open every Sunday morning for the transaction of congregational business. "May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are and bless you." (Deut. I : ii.) Calendar of fcolpoags for tbe Ensuing JT our 1908 1910 Pureem March 17 Pureem March 25 Passover April 16, 17, 22, 23 Passover April 24, 25, 3O, 31 Pentecost June 5, 6 Pentecost June 13, 14 New Year September 26, 27 New Year October 4, 5 Atonement ....October 5 Atonement.. ..October 13 Tabernacles.. .October 10, 11, 17, 18 Tabernacles. ..October 18, 19, 25, 26 Hanucah December 19 Hanttcah December 26 1909 1911 Pureem March 7 Pureem March 14 Passover April 6, 7, 12, 13 Passover April 13, 14, 19, 20 Pentecost May 26, 27 Pentecost June 2, 3 New Year September 16, 17 New Year September 23, 24 Atonement ....September 25 Atonement... .October 2 Tabernacles. ..Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 7, 8 Tabernacles. ..October 7, 8, 14. 15 Hanucah December 8 Hanucah December 16 Hime of Sabbatb in Hew (According to the Tables of Rev. J. Jessurun Pinto.) January 22 4.3O July 22 6.3O February 22 5.OO August 22 6.OO March 15 5.3O September 15 5.3O April 8 6.OO October 8 5.00 May 1 6.3O November 1 4.3O May 15 7.OO November 22 4.OO GENERAL RULE. Work should cease a quarter of an hour before sunset. Synagogues of tbe Congregation, 5442-5668 Prior to 5442 (1682) the Congregation worshipped in the loft of a flour mill on Mill Street rented from one John Harpording MILL STREET, Frame Building - ... erected, 6442=1682 MILL STREET, New Building " 549O=173O MILL STREET, Rebuilt - " 5578=1818 CROSBY STREET " 5594=1834 NINETEENTH STREET ------ " 5620=1860 CENTRAL PARK WEST " 5657=1897 A 000114037 5