HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 890, 6 February 1930, Page 7

HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

PRESENTATION BY JEWISH CONGREGATION

MR. N. A. NATHAN HONOURED There was but little room to spare in the lounge of the Jewish Club yesterday afternoon when Mr. N. Alfred Nathan was presented by' his fellow members of the Hebrew congregation in Auckland with a model of the synagogue made in the city from silver mined at Waihi. The presentation was made by Mr. C. H. Moses, treasurer of the congregation, and marked the celebration of Mr. Nathan's SOth birthday'. The presentation was made a month after the actual birthday celebration on January 5 but, as Mr. Moses pointed out, that was deemed advisable through the absence of so many of the congregation on vacation in January'. Mr. Moses apologised for the absence of Rabbi Goldstein, who was to have made the presentation, but had been called to Wellington through the death of the late Rabbi Pitowsky. Mr. Nathan had been a leading figure in Jewish life ever since there had been a congregation, Mr. Moses continued. “I can remember his father, Mr. Alfred, Nathan, presiding over our meeting. He it was who laid the foundation-stone of our synagogue and now his son has led the congregation for 30 years. His actions have shed a lustre on the name of the Jew, not only in New Zealand but throughout the world.” Mr. Moses described Mr. Nathan as an ardent Zionist. Five years ago he had visited Palestine and' the Jews of Auckland had greatly benefitted by his instructive lectures on returning. Every branch of the congregation's activities had interested Mr. Nathan. For many years lie had been a member of the choir. He had contributed to every movement launched for the benefit of his countrymen, generally throughout the world, but particularly in Auckland. Mr. Moses presented Mr. Nathan with an oxidised silver model of the synagogue. It had been made in Auckland from Waihi silver and bore the inscription: “To N. Alfred Nathan from members of the Auckland Hebrew congregation to mark the SOth anniversary of his birth.” Mr. Nathan assured his fellow congregationalists that he still had health and vigour to enjoy his future life with his family. “My father always taught me to uphold the dignity of my race and 1 have done no more than my duty,” he added. “J hope to take part for some time yet in the deliberations of this congregation and I hope to do more not only for the Jewish section but for the whole city' of Auckland to which I owe so much.”

The model was made in Auckland by Mr. W. H. Worrall. It stands upon a base of oak 12in square and the building itself occupies an area of about nine inches by eight inches, it is about seven inches high.