The wonderfully detailed
description of the Eagle Street Synagogue
dedication service that appeared in the Plain
Dealer of Friday June 7, 1846 gives us a view of
the service that would otherwise be lost.
Generally at services the prayers
would be recited in Hebrew with the German, the
daily language of Cleveland's early Jews, used
for any announcements, readings and the sermon.
We don't know if these services, which was open
to all, with a notice placed in the Plain Dealer
and possible some of the city's three other
papers, were an exception,
recited and sung in English. Or had an English
translation been prepared for reporters
and other non-congregants. Either variation from the usual
format would reflect the congregation's desire
to have its services understood by the community
- the goyim.
The last paragraph show that while there was
respect for the People of the Book with their
Oriental (Eastern) customs, Jews were also seen
as incomplete (or in this instance "deluded")
citizens. |