A GRAND JEWISH WEDDING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 932, 6 April 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

A GRAND JEWISH WEDDING.

The Sydney JHorniny Herald of the 17th has a long account of a Jewish wedding in that city. It says : — “ Very few events in a private family could cause such a sensation in Sydney as was produced by the circumstances attending the marriage of Miss Dinah Levey, fourth daughter of Mr. Montague Levey, of Wynyaad-square. The bride had been one of the members of the choir at the Synagogue, and hei’ former companions then determined to have a musical service; and this, with the curiosity inseparable from wedding ceremonies, filled the great Synagogue in all parts ; the outer court, too, was crowded, and a large number assembled in the street. The invited guests —many of them nonHebraic—had special seats allotted them on either side of the canopy,' and as they arrived it was impossible to avoid noticing the gorgeous toilettes of many of ,the ladies. One lady wore Imperial purple plush, another cream silk with cardinal front, a third wore a dress of rich cardinal velvet trimmed with white lace, a fourth black velvet with magnificent point lace as scarf and drapery for the train. The most perfect costume -of the day was black satin embroidered in massive beadwork of dead gold and “ fire ’’-colored beads, the fronts of the bodice and skirt were thickly covered with this rare trimming, the sleeves were entirely formed of the bead-work, and the bonnett of black satin with deep crimson and white rosel, and fan to match the dress, completed the most elegant and unique dress seen. The bride’s attiae was a magnificent blending of white satin, ostrich feathers, point de Venise, and clouds of tulle. On her right stood her father and mother resplendent in peacock blue

satin, embroidered velvet, and brocade, opposite were Mr. and Mrs. Victor Cohen, the grooms, sponsors, and in the centre the rabbi, the Rev. Abraham Davis. At the house in Wynyardsquare, with well-known hospitable tastes, a banquet was prepared for some 140 guests. Before ascending to the feast a surprise awaited the company. In recognition of the kindly aid recently given by Mr. Levey, and with a view of showing an interest in the race to whieh by birth he belongs, Mr. Henry Ketten had again borrowed his Pleyel grand and sent it to Mr. Levey’s and as the bride entered the band suddenly stopped, and Mrs. Louis Hart was welcomed by the “ Wedding March,” played on the piaho as only Mr. Ketten has playsd it. After this came a poetic Idylle, written for, and dedicated to, the young ceuple. When the delighted plaudits had subsided, the bride and groom, with three of the bridesmaids and gromsmen, according to an old Hebrew custom, danced u quadrille; and this over, the business of the dejuuer began. Beyond the special toasts, Mr. Davis said it had been the wish ot their host to add 1 “ Our Christian Friends,” and that he had urged the omission ; and then ! in a very happy speech he gave his reasons, Mr. Davis thinks that when people meet to accept the hospitality, » and share in the family festivities, all ■ differences should be forgotten, that i people meet as equals. He glanced at the policy of France, which makes no ; distinction; praised England for her ■ strenuous exertions to secure liberty for all: and hinted at the troublous ’ times in Germany, threatened by the • persecuiion of the Jews, and he ex- ■ pressed a fervent hope that in Austra- ■ lia, at least, sectarian differences would • soon disappear. There was much apl plause over his sentiments.”