D. Wasserzug

“ The action of the Board of Management created strong disapproval in the Congregation, and on the initiative of Mr. H. H. Hyams and Mr. A. H. Woolf, a requisition, signed by 77 members, was presented to the Board, requesting the calling of a general meeting to decide whether only one or not less than two candidates should be submitted for election. The meeting was held on Sunday, March 15th, and after a heated debate it was resolved by 81 votes to 35 that not less than two candidates were to be put forward for the seat-holders themselves to elect their Minister. ”

“ The year 1910 is noteworthy for an important development which was made in the educational work of the Congregation. In conjunction with the Stoke Newington Synagogue, which under the direction of its energetic Minister, the Rev. H. Cohen, had already led the way in regard to this movement, Continuation Classes were established for the benefit of the growing boys and girls who had left school and entered upon the serious work of life. ”

“ Opposition seemed rather to stimulate than diminish the energy of the promoters of the new Synagogue. An application was made to the United Synagogue for a grant of £2,000 towards the erection. It was stated that £1,000 had already been collected, and £400 had been promised. The proposed building was to accommodate 200 gentlemen and 150 ladies. The sub-committee appointed by the United Synagogue to consider the application reported unfavourably. It did not consider that the Dalston Building Committee had received sufficient support to justify the recommendation of a grant of £2,000. ”

“ To ensure the acceptableness of the destined Reader to the members, it was furthermore decided that no candidate was to be recommended for the office who did not poll at least three-fifths of the votes of the Election Committee. Eventually, after hearing seven applicants for the post, the Election Committee selected the Rev. Philip Fassenfeld as the sole candidate, a selection which was subsequently ratified by the seat-holders at a general meeting held on December 30th, 19106. ”

“ The Jewish population of the district had been growing by leaps and bounds, and this time, when the Vice-President of the United Synagogue, the late Mr. Lionel L. Cohen, was approached by representatives of the Dalston Synagogue, he manifested a very favourable attitude towards their project, in earnest of which he presented the Congregation with two Scrolls of the Law. Encouraged by his powerful support, energetic efforts were once more made to acquire a place of worship more in keeping with the dignity and importance of the Congregation. ”

“ Isaac Goldston, on his own initiative sent a circular to the ladies of the Congregation, inviting them to form a Ladies Committee, whose tasks, among others, should be the care and proper keeping of the Holy Vestments and the provision of the floral decorations of the Synagogue and Succah. Subsequently, this Committee, at the request of the Board of Management, formed themselves into a permanent institution under the style and title of "The Ladies Society in connection with the Dalston Synagogue." ”

“ A. Lewis then becoming Treasurer. In the course of its career the Canvassing Committee had spread its net so as to embrace the Finsbury Park and Stoke Newington Synagogues: but this expansive policy did not answer. The Committee became unwieldy and difficult to manage, finally dissolving in the winter of 1907. Each Congregation then undertook its own local collections in aid of the Board. The Dalston Synagogue Canvassing Committee rose from the ashes of the defunct institution, under the direct control of the Executive of the Congregation. ”

“ The classes are held indiscriminately in the schoolrooms of both Synagogues, and besides being centres of instruction for the young, are pledges of the continued growth of the good relations which have invariably existed between the sister Congregations. ”

“ Mr. Goldston had been on the teaching staff some two years previously, but his appointment as Superintendent dates from May 23rd, 1898. On the resignation of Mr. H. Oppenheimer, in September, 1900, Mr. M. Drukker was elected chairman in his place, a position that he still holds. The success of these classes is a matter of public knowledge, and their efficiency has been recognised by the highest educational authorities in the community. In a report published in 1908 by the Union of Hebrew and Religion Classes, the hon. ”

“ Spanjer, Miss C.
Spiro, A., B.A.
Strauss, Albert
Strauss, David
Swaebe, D. J.
Sasserath, Miss
Scharff, Mrs. A.
Shock, Mrs. B. F.
Solomon, Miss E.
Solomon, Mrs. A.
Solomon, Mrs. D. E.
Steiner, Mrs. J.
S. R.
Teacher, David
Van den Berg, Samuel
Van der Linde, S. H.
Vangelder, David
Van Menz, A.
Van Praagh, Abraham
Van Veenan, Miss H.
Van Vlymen, N.
Van Ween en, Miss B.
Wallach, Julius
Wallach, S., Senr.
Wartski, A. M.
Wartski, Irene
Wartski, Muriel
Weber, Joseph
Weber, Sri. ”

“ Altman, in the new Synagogue. Mr. Myers, however, whose lamented death took place shortly after, felt compelled to tender his resignation on March l0th, 1885. In recognition of his services a sum of 250 was unanimously voted for him by the Committee. The office of Preacher, Second Reader, and Secretary having become vacant, an advertisement was inserted in the Jewish papers inviting applications. Four candidates were adopted, the Revs. H. Gollancz, L. Canter, M. Hyainson, and Mr. B. Saul. The Rev. L. Canter and Mr. B. Saul having retired from the contest, an open field was left to Revs. ”

“ A. M. Wartski, Esq., Chairman.⁠Jack Lewis, Esq., Treasurer.⁠Messrs. I. Goldston, M. P. Jacobs, A. Spanjer and S. H Van der Linde. Albert A. Felsenstein, Hon. Secretarv.
The Presentation Committee desire to tender their thanks to the following, who kindly sent donations to the above Fund:- ”

“ M. Duparc. . .. . .. . .. . . Hon. Secretary, 1874 1875. S. Goldman. . .. . .. . . Vice- President, 1876 1878. M. A. Rozelaar. . .. . .. . . Treasurer, 1875 1878. M. A. Rozelaar . . .. . .. . . Vice- President, 1881-1885. M. A. Rozelaar. . .. . .. ”