A NEW SYNAGOGUE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4433, 9 November 1871, Page 3

A NEW SYNAGOGUE.

Last night, at half-past 7 o'clock, a public meeting of those of the Jewish faith resident in Auckland was held •in the Synagogue Chambers, Emily Place. Mr. Edward Isaacs occupied the chair. — Mr. A. H. Nathan, Honorary Secretary, read the advertisement calling the meeting. — The Rev. Mosps Elkin then opened the meeting by prayer.— The Chairman in a few remarks explained to the audience the objects of the meeting, and stated that although there was a depression in business matters here at present, and though their numbers were few, he had no doubt of their ultimate success if they put shoulder to shoulder. He called upon his Worship the Mayor to move the first resolution. — Mr. P. A. Philips then moved the following resolution : — "That the present synagogue does not meet the requirements of our community, and it is therefore desirable that a new synagogue and minister's residence be erected, and that this meeting pledge themselves to use their best efforts to accomplish this object, and request the cooperation and assistance of all Hebrew residents in this province." He spoke in support of the motion at some length, and suggested that, in order to h isten the erection, when they lnd a certain sum collected, they might obtain fi om the bank, on easy terras, a sufficiency to meet their requirements.— The Rev. Moses ElUin had much pleasure in seconding the motion. He had to thank their worthy chairman for commencing the work ho had so well begun. He hoped their chairman would be enabled to carry out his generous endeavours, until full success attended his efforts They should be like their brethren of old during the erection of the Temple, when all brought of their substance cheerfully until no moio was icquired. Ho also paid a high compliment to the charitable disposition of the Christians of Auckland, and expressed his assurance that, if they were appealed to, assistance might be confidently looked for from them." lie referred to the deficiency of space in their present place of worship, and showed that the evils he had pointed out could only be removed by the erection of a now and larger synagogue. — The motion was put, and carried unanimously. — Mr. Ralph Keesing moved the next resolution as follows: "That a collecting committee be formed, consisting of the present Board of Management and the following gentlemen : — Auckland : The Rev. Mr, Elkin, Messrs. 11. Isaacs, P. A. Philips, A. Asher, J. Doitsh, S. Brown, nnd Lewis Brotheis. Thames : | Messrs. Goldwater, L. Ehrenfiied, L Myers, J. Kecing, and Moses Brothers • wich power to add to their number." lie said, in reference to what was remarked by a former speaker, he might state that they did not at present intond to go into the borrowing of money. Their efforts would be confined, at first, to try and raise sufficient to justify them in going on with the work. After they began the work, should they then see that it would be necessary to borrow money, another meeting would be called to decide upon what course should be adopted. It ■would take them some time to get things into .1 proper working order— perhaps a year, at least. They wished, when they made a commencement of tho building, not to slick in the middle of it. He had no doubt but they would get some assistance from their Christian brethren, but they should lcmembi'i that they would have to make a long and ,i stiong pull, and a pull altogether, and them lie had no fear of their ultimate success — Mr. L. A. Nathan seconded the motion. In doing so he made a few remarks endoising tho views which the mover of the icsoliitton had expressed. — Mr. P. A. Philips, Mr. 11. Joseph, and others spoke with refeience to borrowing money. — An explanation "n^iied, after which the motion was put and agreed to. — Mr. L. D. Nathan moved, " That a commencement be made that ni^'ht to collect a fund for tho building desired." Mr. B.tniett seconded the motion. — Mr. L. A. Nathan stated that he had the authoiity of Mr. David Nathan to state that, if the synagogue were erected and worship conducted m it within two years, he would contribute a sum of £200. — A subscription list was then produced, and the following subscriptions at once given : — The chairman, £00 ; Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co , £100 ; Mr. Ralph Kcesing, £20 ; Mrs. 11. Keesing, £10 10s.; Miss and Master Keesing, five guineas each, £10 10a.; Mr. P. A. Philips, €20 ; Vlr Barnhardfc Levy, £30 ; Messrs. Barnott and Levy, £21 j Mr. H. S. Meyers, £20; Mr. W. J. Nathan, £5 (first donation) j Mr. E. Mjeis, £10 (first donation); Messrs. Myers and Solomon, Sydney, £2 25. ; Mr. Isaac Philips, £20 ; the Rev. Moses Elkin, £5 ; Mr. A. H. Nathan, £5 (first donation). — Tho Chaiiman stated thac there were now over £540 subscribed by a very few, a sum which he had no doubt would soon be consideiably mci eased. He had at one time intended to have subscribed a sum on behalf of the firm, but as his brother was not here he had only subscribed a sum in his own name. He had no doubt, however, but his brother would be forthcoming: with his contribution also, and doubtless would have done so had he been present. -Messrs. Ralph Keesing and P. A. Philips were then appointed treasurers to tbc fund, and Mr. A. H. Nathan appointed honorary secretary. It was agreed that some of the committee should wait upon the subscribers in the course of a few days for at least a portion of their subscriptions, which would be placed in the bank to the building account, after whioh the meeting adjourned.