Talk:Temple Beth El (Detroit, Michigan)

[edit] Music

Here are the passages (from The Beth El Story) relating to music and the Shaarey Zedek split:

Friday, August 30, 1861: The Rivard Street Synagogue was dedicated by Dr. Isaac M. Wise of Cincinnati and Rabbi Laser. Accounts of the dedication appeared in the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Tribune and Advertiser and THe Israelite of Cincinnati. The dedication esercises, held in the afternoon, and the Friday evening services which followed the exercises as well as teh Satruday morning services were supported by a melodeon and mixed choir. This choir was led by Abraham J. Frabklin, a liberal-minded member of the congregation, who succeeded in introducing and passing a resolution by the members to permit the participation of music and a choir at these services. Mr. Frenklin became the first choir director of the congregation, a post to which he contributed his services for twenty-eight years.
September 27, 1861: The use pf music and a mixed choir at worship, an innovation which was contrary to Orthodox Judaism, split the congregation, Seventeen members withdrew and organized the Schaarey Zedeck Society, now congregation Shaarey Zedek.
April 1862: Members vothed at the quarterly congregational meeting: [...a number of things, including...] To retain the choir and instrumental music as an integral part of religious services.
December 1876: The congregation purchased its first organ for $1,150.00 to replace the melodeon previously used.

Andrew Jameson (talk) 20:38, 9 December 2007 (UTC)