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Presentation of the Saphor Thora to a Hebrew Congregation. MARCH TO THE CHURCH From the Residence of Mr. Janowitz, the Executor of Joseph Sapio, of Whom the “Thorn” Is a Memorial Rabbi Zivitz’ Presentation Address, Which Was Replid to by Rabbi Faber. An interesting and impressive cere mony was that at the B'nai Gemiluth Chesed synagogue, on North Martin street, Sunday afternoon, which was participated in by a large assemblage of Hebrews and witnessed by not a few Christians. It was the presentation to be the congregation‘fa ‘‘saphor Thora,” or Pentateuch, as a memorial of the late Joseph Sapio. In the will of the deceased, his execu tor, Henry Janowitz, was directed to present the synagogue with the ‘‘Saphor Thora’ on condition that on each recur ring anniversary of his death, the con gregation say prayers for the repose of his soul. In pursuance of the wish of the testator, Mr. Janowitz procured the scroll above named and in compliance with the request of Mr. Sapiro it was formally presented at the synagogue Sunday after noon. The ‘‘Thorn’”’ contains the five books of Moses engrossed upon parchment and a portion thereof is read at each service. It is regarded with the greatest reverence and considered as a sacred treasure by every believer in the laws of Moses. Shortly after 2 o’clock members of the congregation went to the residence of Mr. Janowitz and as it is the desire of every true _ believer in Judaism to have a _ part in the engrossment of the sacred scroll, they followed tracings of words which were left for the purpose at the begin ning and ending of the ‘‘Thorn.’’ The divine blessing was invoked by Rev. Levinsohn of the congregation and Rabbi Zivitz, of Pittsburg. Rev. M. Faber, of the B’nai Zion Temple, made an address in which the purposes of the ceremonies attendant upon the presentation were racidly explained and the uses and purposes of the scroll set forth for the enlightenment of those not of the faith. The discourse was very interesting. After the parchment had been fully completed, it was rolled up and placed within a richly decorated blue velvet case. A procession was then formed with Coleman's brass band at the front, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Janowitz, the former carrying the ‘‘Thorn,’’ marching under a canopy borne by four men. The congregation brought up the rear of the column. On arrival at the synagogue, Rev. Lev insohn preceding Mr. and Mrs. Janowitz and chanting in Hebrew, marched up the aisle, and Mr. Janowitz placed the scroll in the ark at the rear of the altar. Further chanting by Rev. Levinsohn fol lowed, after which Rabbi Zivitz spoke in German substantially as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen and Members of B’nai Gemiluth Chesed Congrega tion—We today assemble to carry out a very holy and impressive ceremony, conducted under the auspices of the Gemiluth Chesed (Reciprocity of Char ity) congregation. We are perform ing a deed of charity with the living and the dead. The late Mr. Joseph Sapio, former vice-president of the congregation, in this will bequeathed a “Sapher Thora’ or Pentateuch to his synagogue, and we now take the oppor tunity of carrying out his wishes by pre senting the scroll to the congregation and we hope that they will fulfill his de sire by offering prayers for the repose of his soul on each recurring anniversary of his death. We can believe that the soul and spirit of Mr. Sapiro is with us to day and it certainly is rejoicing to think that the same ceremony’ which took place on Mount Sinai when the ‘“‘Thorn’’ was accepted by the children of Israel has taken place here today by the acceptance of the sacred scroll by the congregation. At Mount Sinai where the ‘‘Thora’’ was presented to the children of Israal, it was celebrated with the blowing of horns and trumpets, and in a simiar way it is celebrated today, but instead of the blowing of horns we resort to music. The Talmud says that the “Thora’’ was given in all the languages, and we were supposed to be a united and harmonious people, the same con dition of affairs confront us now. We are all united and linked together in brotherly love, our services being con ducted in both the Hebrew and English languages. One more word I wish to say to the congregation. When you accepted the ‘‘Thorn’’ bequeathed you by Mr. Sapiro,a member of your congregation, and placed it into the holy ark, and before closing the doors there of, I ask that you join in offering a bless ing for this great and glorious land; these United States of America, which in itself an ark of religion, an ark of freedom and an ark of righteousness, and let us all pray for the protection and blessing of our country; the blessing of our congregation and blessing and peace to the son of Joseph Sapiro. In conclusion, we extend the thanks of the congregation to Mr. Janowitz and his family, who have taken the time and trouble to carry out the wishes of the testator. May God bless you all. Rev. M. Faber next on behalf of the congregation accepted the sacred gift and promised acquiescence to the wishes of the testator. He exhorted everyone present to follow the divine precept, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’’ After the services the congregation re paired to the home of Mr. Janowitz, where they partook of the hospitality of the family.
Newspaper Details
Titusville Morning Herald
Titusville, Pennsylvania, US
Mon, May 03, 1897
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 20 Oct 2025
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