Circular, To the President and Members of the Congregation at the Israelites of Philadelphia, 1841

Title: Circular, To the President and Members of the Congregation at the Israelites of Philadelphia, 1841
Author: J. L. Hackenburg | Isaac Leeser | Lewis Allen | Jacob Ulman | Simon Elfelt | Mayer Arnold | Henry Cohen
Date Created: July 1841
Location(s): Philadelphia
Format: Print. 3 page(s) on 4 sheet(s).
Type: Print
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3vx06v6n/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3vx06v6n
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Typescript
content: CIRCULAR.
Philadelphia, Ab, 5601, July 1841.
To the President and Members of the Congregation at the Israelites of Philadelphia, send greeting:
Brethren!
May long life and spiritual and temporal prosperity be your portion from our Father in heaven, and may He, the Most High, move your hearts to piety to himself, and good will towards all Israel your brethren. Amen.
In the full confidence that you will favourably entertain our plan for a general union, we on the part of the Israelites of this vicinity, affectionately invite you to deliberate well on the proposition and regulations which accompany this, and to elect without delay suitable persons for delegates, to meet us in general convention, on the first Sunday in November, being the 7th of that month, corresponding with the 23d day of Marcheshvan, 5602, at Philadelphia.
We deem it scarcely requisite to admonish you to select men who have the fear of God before their eyes, whose interest in the welfare of the House of Jacob is of an abiding nature, whose moral character is unblemished, and who are of sufficient intelligence to judge with impartiality and reasonable conviction, and of such men there are doubtless many among your number; and have the goodness to instruct them, without exacting pledges, with regard to the measures you wish proposed, and what persons elected for the high stations embraced in our plan, that they who are chosen may step abroad with the seal of public approbation stamped upon them and their characters.
Although we can scarcely believe that any congregation, who are duly impressed with the paramount obligation to uphold our blessed faith, can refuse uniting with us in a mea=sure which evidently promises so much general good: we would, nevertheless, thank you to let us hear from you with the least possible delay, if you decline the union we herewith offer to you.
In the full confidence of a favourable issue, and a fervent hope that you will be found united with us in a common effort to spread the kingdom of Heaven, we remain;
Beloved brethren, your friends and servants in the Lord.
J. L. Hackenburg
Lewis Allen
Simon ? Committee.
Jacob Ulman
Isaac Leeser.
Henry? Cohen
Mayer Arnold

A meeting of Israelites of all the different congregations in the City and County of Philadelphia, was held pursuant to public notice, on Sunday the 27th day of June, 1841, correspond-ing with the 8th day of Tamuz, 5601, at the Synagogue Beth Israel, to take into consideration the plan for establishing a religious union among the Israelites of America, proposed by the Rev. Louis Salomon, minister of the congregation Rodef Shalom, and Isaac Leeser of the congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia.
Lewis Allen, Esq., President of the congregation of Mikveh Israel, was called to the chair, and Mr. Henry Cohen, Trea-surer of the congregation Beth Israel, was appointed Secre-tary.
Mr. Leeser then addressed the meeting on the utility of such union, and offered a resolution that a committee be appointed to take the plan into consideration and report to a future meeting.
The resolution having been amended on motion of Joseph S. Cohen, Esq., as follows:
“Resolved, That a committee be appointed to consider the propriety of endeavouring to establish a plan of religious union of the different congregations of America, 2nd that they report a plan for obtaining the views of the several congregations as to such union, and such other matters as may be thought neces-sary to carry the union into effect, and that the plan submitted by the Rev. Messrs. Salomon and Leeser, be referred to that committee,” was carried; and it having been further resolved, that the committee should consist of seven, exclusive of Messrs. Salomon and Leeser; the chair appointed Messrs. A. Hart, J. L. Hackenburg, Lewis Bomeisler, Frederic Samuel, Hyman Gratz, Zadok A. Davis, and Hyman Polock, on said committee.
The committee met, pursuant to notice of A. Hart, Esq., Chairman, at the house of Mr. Allen, on Thursday evening, the 1st of July, and appointed a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Hackenburg, Davis and Leeser, with directions to report on Thursday evening following.
The committee met that evening, absent Messrs. Samuel and Gratz, when the sub-committee laid their draft on the table, which was examined by sections, altered and amended that same evening, Sunday morning and Monday evening, absent the above together with Mr. Polock, when the whole having been gone through, it was ordered to be transcribed to be reported on the following Sunday, to the adjourned general meeting.
At an adjourned meeting of Israelites, held on Sunday the 18th of July, at the Masonic Hall, L. Allen, Esq. in the chair, Mr. H. Cohen, Secretary, the committee made the following report, accompanied with the plan they had agreed upon.
To the Israelites of the City and County of Philadelphia.
The Committee appointed at a general meeting, held on the 27th of June, have taken the plan proposed by Messrs. Salomon and Leeser, into consideration and offer the accompanying rules and regulations, together with the preamble, to your favourable notice and adoption; the whole of which is
Respectfully submitted,
A. HART,
J. L. HACKENBURG,
L. BOMEISLER,
Z. A. DAVIS,
DR. L. SALOMON,
ISAAC LEESER.
Committee.
LEWIS ALLEN,
Chairman of the Meeting.
Philadelphia, 12th July, 5601.
PREAMBLE.
The Israelites of Philadelphia, in common with their brethren in other places of America, have long since been alive to the many evils under which they labour in the great downfall of religious observance, and the want of pro-per religious education among them. But deeming it their duty to leave no means untried to counteract the deplorable state of want of proper observance, and to promote a due knowledge of the blessed religion they have received from their fathers: they have resolved to propose a union of all Israelites residing in America, to effect by a common and united effort, that which would evidently be beyond the power of accomplishing by any one of the small congrega-tions in which the Israelites of this country are divided; they therefore offer the following suggestions, which they hope will forward greatly the desired result; in first esta-blishing a competent ecclesiastical authority, agreeably to the injunction of the law in Deuteronomy xvi. 18: “Judges and officers shall thou appoint for thyself in all they gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee throughout thy tribes;” secondly, by establishing schools for general and religious education under Jewish Superintendence, as com-manded in Deut. vi. 7: “And thou shalt teach them dili-gently to they children;” and thirdly, by promoting har-mony and a concert of action among all their brethren scattered over the Western Hemisphere, in accordance with the lofty aspiration of the Psalmist who says, (cxxxiii. 1,) “Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity.” With these views the committee recommend the adoption of the following rules and regula-tions for the government and action of the Israelites in America.
PLAN.
ARTICLE I.
The Ecclesiastical Authority.
Section 1. The delegates of the different congregations, as hereinafter described, or of as many as may come into the measure, shall elect at their first meeting, or as soon after as practicable, three gentlemen of undoubted moral and reli-gious character, who are duly learned in the written and oral law, who shall have the authority conferred upon them, by their election, to act in, and to decide on all cases of reli-gious inquiry, and to determine all questions laid before them, according to the law, and the approved rabbinical authorities: the members of this Central Religious Council not to be at any time subject to any authority abroad, nor under the control of any congregation, except in cases of misdemeanour, and wilful false decisions, in which cases, one or all of such offending parties, are to be removed by the delegates of the Union as above; and a majority of the delegates present shall be required for a vote of suspension for a period of from three to twelve months, and a majority of two-thirds for a suspension for a longer period, or ex-pulsion from office.
Sect. 2. Whenever any case for adjudication comes before any one of the Board hereby constituted, he may decide for himself only, if the emergency will not permit him to consult his colleagues; but if otherwise he is bound to consult them, either in person or in writing, before he gives any answer; in order to insure that the laws of God be properly expounded, and strictly obeyed, as far as lies in the power of the Board herewith proposed.
Sect. 3. In case a decision is made by one member in the absence of his colleagues in any emergency, the said decision must be transmitted without delay to the President of this Union, for the approbation of the other members of the Central Religious Council, and a copy of all decisions is to be forwarded to the recording secretary, as hereinafter described.
Sect. 4. The Hazanim of all the congregations of this Union, are to be ex officio associates the Board, provided always, that nothing is to prevent the delegates from elect-ing a Hazan to be a member of the Central Religious Council, if he duly qualified for the office in character and capacity.
Sect. 5. In a place where no one of the members of the Central Religious Council resides, the Hazan, or Hazanim, or other persons, in whom the community have confidence, may decide in any emergency, but the decision must also at once be transmitted to the Central Religious Council for their approbation.
Sect. 6. Any party deeming himself aggrieved by the decision of any one member of the Board, or any other person acting under an emergency, may appeal to the whole Central Religious Council, whose decision by a majority shall be final.
Sect. 7. The associates as above provided, shall merely have power to speak at a meeting of the members of the Central Religious Council, but not to vote.
Sect. 8. One of the three members as above shall be the President of the Board, whenever he may deem the public good requires it, and have a general supervision of strictly ecclesiastical matters in this Union.
Sec. 9. As the authority herewith delegated is merely advisory, the Central Religious Council shall never exercise the power of excommunicating any one, for any offence whatever; nor to possess the right of summoning any indi-vidual who, in their opinion, might be guilty of any trans-gression of the Mosaic Law; but shall merely designate the offences which of right deprive any offender from the usual Jewish rights and privileges.
Sect. 10. The privilege of performing the marriage ceremony being the right of each congregation, the cus-tomary authority heretofore exercised by the Hazanim remains inviolate; nevertheless the party to be married has the option of selecting the Hazan or any member of the Central Religious Council to perform said ceremony.
Sect. 11. The Congregations belonging to this Union shall not elect any Shochet, who has not been examined as to qualifications by one or more members of the Central Religious Council; and it shall be the duty of the respective Shochetim belonging to this Union, to be examined once at least in three years by one or more of the Central Religious Council, for which examination no fee whatever is to be required.
Sect. 12. No Shochet is to be suspended for frivolous reasons; and if any member of the Central Religious Council should find it his duty to exercise this prerogative, he must state the reason for so doing in writing to the person so suspended.
Sect. 13. It is expected that the Central Religious Council will watch over the state of religion, and use every proper occasion to exhort the people in sermons or lectures; and whenever any member of the Central Religious Coun-

cil wishes to address any congregation, he shall have the privilege so to do, upon giving notice to the Parnass of said congregation.
Sect. 14. Whenever a new Hazan is to be elected, he must be examined as to his qualifications by one or more members of the Central Religious Council, so as to prevent any incompetent person being forced upon the respective congregations; and if any congregation should elect a hazan who has not obtained a certificate of the Board, or who has been rejected by them, such Hazan shall not be admitted an associate of the Central Religious Council.
Sect. 15. The superintendence of the schools is herewith vested in the Central Religious Council and the above associates, and it is made their duty to report any delin-quency in the teachers to the Board of Control, as herein-after mentioned.
ARTICLE II.
The Schools.
Section 1. As soon as practicable, schools for both sexes are to be established in every town where Israelites reside, and the teachers are to be paid out of a common local fund, and on no account to receive any pay or fee whatever from the parents.
Sect. 2. Whatever rates for education it may be necces-sary to charge, are to be paid to the local treasurer of this Union, who is to pay the amount of salary which may be agreed upon, to the teachers, upon warrant of the local pre-sident.
Sect. 3. The system of education is to be strictly Jew-ish, and is to embrace, a. Hebrew reading, grammar, translation, catechism, Biblical commentaries, and at least an introduction to the Jewish Oral Law, and if possible, an elementary knowledge of the Talmud.
b. English, Grammar, composition, elocution, arithmetic, writing, singing, geography, universal history, history of the Jews, history of England, and history of the United States.
c. For the higher classes, in addition to the above, Hebrew composition, Talmud, general Jewish literature, Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, mathematics, natural history, natural philosophy, moral philosophy, poli-tical economy, and chemistry.
d. Any other useful matters to be added, as occasion may require.
Sect. 4. The government of the schools is to be moral throughout, and on no account can any cruel punishment be permitted.
Sect. 5. A High School for education in the higher branches, is to be established in some central point when-ever practicable, in which the branches enumerated under c are to be taught; and where young men are to be educated in such a manner, that they may be fit for the office of Hazan, lecturer, and teacher; and young women be edu-cated for the high calling of female instructors; and all persons educated in our schools, are to have the pre-ference if any vacancy occurs, for any office in the gift of this Union.
Sect. 6. No teacher to be appointed, whether Jew or gentile, who has not been examined, by one or more mem-bers of the Central Religious Council in the first instance, and afterwards by the local President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Hazan, as to capacity and moral worth: Provided, That the distance from one of the members of the Central Religious Council be not above 300 miles, in which latter case, the local authorities may temporarily appoint a teacher or teachers, till one of the members of the Central Religious Council visits the place, when the teacher or teachers must be examined by him; and if an Israelite, he is to be examined also as regards religious knowledge and con-formity.
Sect. 7. Though it may be found requisite to charge for education to those able to pay—yet no person, who brings evidence of his inability to pay, shall have his children or wards refused admission into our schools, provided he or she sign a pledge to send them regularly to school at least three months in the spring, and four months in the winter.
Sect. 8. Whatever regards books to be used and other regulations, is to be left to the Central Religious Council and to the Central Board of Control for their action and advisement.
ARTICLE III.
The Union.
Section 1. It is recommended that all regularly organized congregations in America do elect delegates to meet at Philadelphia on the 7th day of November, 1841, for the purpose of carrying the above recommendations into effect.
Sect. 2. The ratio of representation to be as follows: Every congregation numbering fifty male seat-holders or under, to send one delegate; from 50 to 150, two delegates; from 150 to 300, three delegates; and one additional for every 200 additional seat holders.
Sect. 3. All votes of delegates shall be decided by the majority, under the usual parliamentary restrictions and regulations.
Sect. 4. The delegates shall be empowered to elect, in the first instance, the members of the Central Religious Council, and to fill all vacancies therein from time to time, provided always, that the persons to be elected be duly qualified.
Sect. 5. They shall assemble, after the first organization, every two years, on the 4th Sunday after the first day of the Passover, and remain in session, by daily adjournments, till all the business before them be duly transacted, or post-poned to another meeting.
Sect. 6. An extra meeting may be called whenever the majority of delegates, or a sufficient number of congrega-tions entitled to send a majority of all the delegates, shall require it; in which case they are to notify the President of the Central Board of Control, who is then to issue general notices, and summon the delegation, by giving them at least sixty days notice.
Sect. 7. The delegates shall be appointed by the respect-ive congregations in the manner they may themselves direct.
Sect. 8. The delegates shall elect a President to preside over them, and a Secretary to keep the minutes, whose offices are to continue till the next general meeting.
Sect. 9. In addition to the above two officers, they shall elect, at every biennial meeting,
One Vice-President,
One Corresponding Secretary,
One Treasurer,
Four Councillors,
Who, together with the President and Recording Secre-tary, shall continue a Board of Control to direct the affairs of the Union in the vacation of the assembly.
Sect. 10. In addition to the above Central Board, each town shall elect a President, Treasurer, and Secretary, to take charge of all matters and moneys for local school purposes, but it shall be their duty to report every six months in full to the Central Board of Control.
Sect. 11. The biennial meetings shall be held alternately, unless otherwise ordered; first at Philadelphia, next at New York, and lastly at Baltimore.
Sect. 12. The Central Board shall sit in Philadelphia unless otherwise ordered; and if the President of the dele-gation should not be a resident of the place where the Central Board meets, then the Vice-President shall act for him, unless the President happen to be present, when he has the precedence as a matter of course; the same rule applies to the Recording Secretary, whose place, in his ab-sence for the above or any other reason, shall be supplied by one of the Councillors.
Sect. 13. The records shall always be open to every Israelite belonging to this Union who desires to inspect them, but they are never to be taken out of the possession of the Recording Secretary or his substitute; and any Is-raelite, as aforesaid, is to be at liberty to procure a copy of any of the records.
Sect. 14. The delegates in general assembly shall have power to deliberate on all subjects, which may tend to the general welfare of the Israelites, with the exception of matters properly belonging to legal points of the Mosaic law, which shall be left, as is reasonable, with the Central Religious Council.
Sect. 15. They shall devise ways and means to defray the expenses attending the execution of this plan, and to fix salaries and other outlays properly coming under the ob-ject of the Union.
Sect. 16. They shall not interfere directly or indirectly in the internal affairs of the congregations, except to offer their advice when any thing should be undertaken in oppo-sition to the law and the commandments, and to judge be-tween contending parties, if such would unfortunately arise in our congregations.
The report having been read, Mr. Lazarus Arnold moved that the same be adopted, which, after some debate, was carried by a large majority.
Mr. Jacob Ulman then moved that the report and plan be printed, which was unanimously adopted.
On motion of Mr. A. Hart, it was resolved that 750 copies in English, and 500 in German, be printed for general distribution.
On motion of Mr. Z. A. Davis, a committee of correspon-dence of five members, with power to fill vacancies, was order-ed to be appointed by the chair; and the President and Secre-tary were, on motion, added to the above five. Whereupon the chair appointed Messrs. J. L. Hackenburg, Isaac Leeser, Joseph M. Asch, Simon Elfelt, and Myer Arnold.
On motion of Mr. Leeser, Mr. A. Hart was unanimously elected Local Treasurer, in accordance with the above plan, and Mr. Allen was also elected Local President, and Mr. H. Cohen, Local Secretary pro tem.
It was further resolved, that the Israelites of Philadelphia, be requested to meet in general meeting, on the 5th of Septem-ber, the second Sunday before the New Year, to elect local officers; and that no one who is not attached to one of the Con-gregations of Philadelphia, either as Member or Seatholder, shall be allowed to vote.
LEWIS ALLEN, Chairman.
H. COHEN, Secretary.
Hand symbol Have the goodness to give this plan an extensive circu-lation among your friends, and use your personal influence to promote its being carried into effect.
Identifier: LSTCAT_item202

Part of Circular, To the President and Members of the Congregation at the Israelites of Philadelphia, 1841

J. L. Hackenburg | Isaac Leeser | Lewis Allen | Jacob Ulman | Simon Elfelt | Mayer Arnold | Henry Cohen, “Circular, To the President and Members of the Congregation at the Israelites of Philadelphia, 1841”, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 20, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69270