THE JEWISH CONGREGATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3681, 9 December 1874, Page 3

THE JEWISH CONGREGATION.

To the Editor. Sir, —Tn yonr yesterday's issue appears a letter signed ‘‘Jacob levy,” in which he states my letter of the 4th, in your journal is incorrect in nearly every particular. He then enters into a statement to which, in justice to the Jewish congregation, I am compelled to give an “unqua'ified denial.” Mr l evy was not requested to come from Melbourne, and never was promised a salary of L3OO, bat on the contrary he made a personal application for the situation (as Reader), and wrs informed that the congregation being a very small one and very heavily indebted, were not in a position to engage a minister. But upon Mr Levy’s urgent solicitation they agreed to give him Ll5O per annum standing salary, being more than they could afford at that time. This sum was considerably augmented each year by gift offerings and as the congregation could afiord it the salary was increased to the standing amount of 1 200 exclusive of the gift offerings before mentioned. Thestatement that in September, 1873, it was resolved to erect a suitable residence for himself and family is incorrect and that Mr Ross was employed for that purpose is also without foundation The statement that Mr Levy bad no written engagement is incorrect, as the congregation have a written agreement with Mr I evy, with terms of salary, &c, &c., stated Ho then states, “The sole reason why the president and committee have made up th<ir minds to force mo out is, I do believe, bepause I objected to allow one of their number to act in the face of the congregation as an assistant to mo in my religions dntifs, and for this I had no alternative, considering th at no man should undertake any public ministerial duty unless a consistent and worthy m< ruber of it. ” To this, I would particularly address your readers to show them that this was impossible to have been the impression of Mr Levy’s mind. He knows that he was called on to resign three months previous to this objection, the congregation not wishing to discharge him, wishing him to have a chance in the future of obtaining a living here or elsewhere. But Mr Levy’s conduct at the time of Divine Service on New Year’s Day (13th September) necessitated the then president (Mr K. Nathan), suspending him ; and at a meeting of the whole congregation, called for the purpose of considering his conduct, he was. by the unanimous voice, summarily dismissed, and paid the whole of his salary due to the end of his en ageuient (December 6, 1874). I think, sir, 1 need say no more on so unpl asant a subject ; but this explanation will be considered sufficient to answer all purposes. Asking you kindly to insert this in your to-day’s issue, you will oblige—Yours, &c.,

Barnard Isaac, President Dunedin Jewish Congregation. December 9. P.S.—The whole of the statements con- , tained in this letter are verified by extracts from the minute book of the congregation, and by Mr Levy’s letters, which [ subjoin. I shall therefore enter on no further correspondence on this subject BI. To the President and Committee of the Jewish ] Congregation. Gentlemen, —1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., with your offer of L2O, for assisting to read during the holidays, which offer I thankfully accept, and I will be most happy to serve you with all my professional capability.—l am, &c, J. Levy. Dunedin, September 4,1867. To the President and Committee of the Hebrew Congregation, Dunedin. Gentlemen,—As my present term of engagement is fast drawing to a close, I take the liberty of addressing you a few lines, asking you whether, at your earliest convenience, you would inform me whether you intend to engage me permanently, as my present means will not allow me to absent myself from home for too long a me to absent myself from home for too long a fieriod. As you are aware, the expenses I have ncurrecl in coming and during my stay here have hone somewhat heavy upon me. Should I be permanently engaged, I will endeavor to do all in my power to please and give you satisfaction. As to the salary, I will leave it entirely in your own hands.—l, remain, &c., Jacob Levy. Dunedin, October 19, 1867. [Extract from Minute Book,] Mr Levy. Dear Sir,—l am requested by the president to inform you that it has been agreed to by the committee to engage you as Reader to this c mgrugatiqn for the term of one year, ending on the 27th October, 1868, : at Ll5O (one hundred atad fifty pounds) sterling per annum, payable by monthly payments of Ll2 10s on the 6th of each month, and subject to the following conditions. (Signed), Julius Hyman, _ President. Dunedin Jewish Congregation. Vestry Rooms, November 12, 1867, [Extract from Minute Book.] To the President and Committee D. J. Congregation, Gentlemen, —I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter ef the 12th inst., and to state that I am willing to accept the offer you madn me of my engagement with you for IE ehiuing.twelve months, with the propositions mentioned in your letter, —I am, £c., (Signed) Jacob Levy, _ Princes street, Dec. 9,1874, E. Isaac, Esq, Dear Sir, —I never received any instructions to prepare plans for a residence for your minister.—l am, &c., David Ross, Architect.