J. D. B. News Letter

(By Our New Crleans Correspondent)

A banquet at the West End Country Club ended a series of exercises celebrating the Centenary of Touro Synagogue. Rabbi Louis Wolsey of Rodeph Sholom Congregation of Philadelphia brought an inspiring message on Friday night, April, 27, and at a union service of the three Reform congregations of New Orleans, Saturday, April 28, messages were brought by Rabbis Louis Binstock, Mendel Silber, David Fichman, and Emil Leipziger of Touro.

In connection with the anniversary exercises, on Sunday morning, April 29 at 11 o’clock the cornerstone of the new Sabbath School and social hall adjoining the synagogue was set with appropriate ceremonies. This linking of the memories of the past with the needs of the future was emphasized by the various speakers. On the program was Max N. Kohler, chairman of the building committee, Arnold Falf, president of the congregation, Rabbi Leipziger, and two past presidents of the congregation, Messrs, Sam Blum and Nathan I. Shwartz.

The local press gave extended space to the occasion and spoke of it as one notable not only to the Jewish, but to the larger general community. The “Daily States” commented editorially on the occasion.

Touro Synagogue was incorporated in 1828 by a band of “twelve Israelies” under the name of Shaarai Chesed Congregation. In 1881, the consolidation was made with the Portuguese congregation which had organized in the ’40’s under the name of the Dispersed of Judah. Durign the consolidation ceremonies, Rabbi Isaac L. Leucht, then the incumbent of the Shaarai Chesed pulpit, renamed the congregation Touro Synagogue for the great philanthropist who had made generous gifts to both.

Among the rabbis who served the historic congregation was James K. Gutheim who ministered to it during two different peroids and who succeeded in bringing about interesting reforms. Dr. Gutheim left Touro for Temple Emanu-El of New York only to return again to minister to another New Orleans congregation, Temple Sinai.

Isaac L. Leucht became the cantor of Touro and later went in that capacity to Temple Sinai only to be called to Touro as its minister in 1878. This late organizer remained its rabbi until he died in 1914, mourned by a whole community which benefited by his constructive labors. Rabbi Leipziger, the present rabbi came to Touro in 1913 as assistant to Dr. Leucht, and on his death succeeded him in the pulpit.

Scores of messages from all parts of the country have been received by the general committee which was headed by Harris Hyman as chairman and Ralph J. Schwartz as vice-chairman.