News Items.

Philadelphia.—The Sixth Anniversary Hebrew Ball in aid of various charities, took place on Wednesday evening, the 19th of January, and gave, as usual, very general satisfaction. We stepped in during the course of the evening, and we must say that we were truly gratified at the propriety and general bearing of the large company assembled. The Jewish balls of Philadelphia have acquired the character of being among the most elegant and correct assemblages of the kind; and we do but an act of justice in adding our own testimony to the correctness of the reputation thus acquired in the community at large, although we cannot claim to have any acquaintance with the like amusements; but this much is certain, that if dancing is permitted at all, it could not be conducted with an eye to greater propriety than is witnessed in the annual charity balls given among us in Philadelphia. Not alone Israelites, but many, indeed the far larger proportion, of other persuasions, were, as usual, present, and all thought they had spent a pleasant evening, whilst they at the same time contributed to the relief of the distressed, whose hearts will be rendered glad by what afforded amusement to so many. The gross receipts were about nine hundred and ninety dollars, and the surplus available for distribution, will be fully five hundred and forty dollars. The managers who thus have earned the gratitude of their fellow-Israelites, were A. T. Jones, Chairman, Marcus Cauffman, Treasurer, Edwin S. Elfelt, Floor Manager, John D. Jackson and Simon W. Arnold, Assistant Floor Managers, L. J. Leberman, Joseph Jacobs, Joseph Levi, Isidore J. Binswanger, D. Van Beil, David H. Solis, Lewis M. Allen, and Abm. S. Elfelt, all, with one exception, young men.

The Rev. S. M. Isaacs, we learn with pleasure, has been elected, during good behaviour, minister of the congregation Shaaray Tefilla, at a salary of sixteen hundred per annum. We congratulate the Rev. gentleman and his congregation at this result.

New York.—The new Dutch Congregation of New York, lately established under the name of Benai Israel, have met with a great loss <<560>>in the removal from the city of their President, Mr. Leonard Goslin, who lately established himself at Poughkeepsie, on the North River. Mr. G. is represented to us as an excellent manager of public affairs, and a liberal contributor, whose place was at first supplied by Mr. Henry De Boer, who, however, also resigned, in consequence of his contemplated removal from New York. Mr. Ahraham Leon, the Treasurer, would have been elected to fill the vacancy, but his services in the capacity of Gabay could not well be dispensed with; so the congregation elected another trustee, Mr. Emanuel Pike, and having resolved that the trustees should act by turn each one month as Parnass, while another acts as Segan, they declined filling the office of President till the next election.

Baltimore.—We stated in our December number, that they have abolished the sale of the Mitzvote in the Baltimore congregation. We have learned since, that the public sale is only abolished. The various Mitzvote have a fixed value attached to them; and if any one wishes to present any one of them to a friend, &c., he can go before the Sabbath to the Shammass, and have himself charged with the same, when he has the right of presentation, which otherwise is, we think, with the Parnass. In this manner the revenue of the Synagogue will be but little, if any, diminished, whilst it dues away with the unbecoming exhibition of a public auction in the house of God. We recommend the plan to those who might wish to introduce so wholesome a reform in the Synagogue, and who only hesitate on account that there must be incurred by the congregational funds a loss which they cannot afford.

Cincinnati.—The new Synagogue is progressing, and will be finished, probably, by Passover, and latest by the succeeding Pentecost. The old congregation have bought a lot of ground contiguous to their place of worship, and they intend enlarging the Synagogue before long. Another progress.

The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year, of the Hebrew Benevolent Society: Ferdinand Milius, President; Adolphus Louis, Vice President; Jacob Seasongood, Treasurer; Rev. J. K. Gutheim, Secretary. Trustees, Joseph Jonas, Elias Mayer, Philip Heidelbach, Hyman Moses, David Mayer, M. E. Moehring. The Secretary reported the number of members as sixty-five, and the amount disbursed for charitable purposes during the past year, as three hundred and forty-three dollars and-seventy-two cents.

At the regular annual election of officers for the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society, the following ladies were chosen to serve for the <<561>>coming year: Mrs. Eleanor Moses, Patroness; Mrs. Eliza Moses, Treasurer; Mrs. Cecilia Springer, Secretary. Visiting committee, Mrs. Rebecca  Joseph, and Mrs. Rebecca Symonds.

Election of the Rabbi of Paris.—On the 9th of November, as we learn from the Archives Israelites for December, the latest received by us, the election for a Rabbi for the Consistory of Paris, made vacant by the elevation of Rabbi Marchand Ennery to the high post of Chief Rabbi of the Central Consistory of France, was held after the several candidates had preached  trial sermons for some time past. The only candidates voted for were Messrs. Isidore, Charleville, Klein, and Dreyfous, all four having a high reputation as learned men and good preachers. At the first ballot, when one hundred and fifty-six votes were polled, Mr. Isidore had seventy votes, Mr. Charleville, fifty-nine, Mr. Klein, eleven, and Mr. Dreyfous, nine. At the second (and last) ballot, which was held on the following day, the 10th of November, there were one hundred and fifty-votes given, of which Mr. Isidore had eighty-one, Mr. Charleville, (Rabbi of Dijon,) sixty-eight, and Mr. Klein, (Rabbi of Durmenach,) one; so that the Rabbi of Phalsbourg was declared duly elected spiritual chief of the diocese of Paris. Although the Rabbi of Dijon had obtained the recommendation of the members of the Paris Consistory, the people elevated his worthy competitor to the vacant chair, whilst, at the same time, Rabbi C. obtained a vote every way calculated to testify the high respect in which he is held. As far as we can judge from the occasional extracts from sermons we have met with in the French Jewish papers, we should say that the candidates are all thoroughly calculated to impress the public mind by their ardent eloquence; and hence it is no small praise to Rabbi Isidore, that he was declared by the public voice the best among his equals. Though the preparatory steps for the election appeared to have been carried on with a good deal of animation, there can be no doubt that all will cheerfully acquiesce in the choice as made; we hope, at the same time, that Rabbi I. will use all his great talents to introduce a better system than there now prevails, according to common report, in the congregations under his charge, and that he may succeed, with the blessing of the Great Shepherd of Israel, to cause many to return from transgression, and to restore the inward sanctuary of the flock, which we are sorry to hear is so much marred by the great delinquency of so many, who are only Israelites by name. A reform of this kind is one devoutly to be wished for, and we hope sincerely, that Rabbi Isidore is the man to effect it, if any one can, as he is eloquent, tolerant, and respected, whilst he is devoted to the ancient system without being a bigot, and <<562>>thinking everything unimprovable that bears the stamp of antiquity, though this be its only recommendation.

Mechlenburg Schwerin.—A letter in the Archives Israelites says that upon the proposition of the minister of justice and interior of Mecklenburg Schwerin, the Grand Duke has appointed a commission authorized to prepare a law for the partial emancipation of the Israelites of his state, similar to that lately published in Prussia.—Our readers will easily understand what that means.

Sydney, New South Wales.—We were lately favoured with the loan of several pamphlets and circulars received by a gentleman of this city; and we lay now such extracts before our readers as we deem will be of interest to them, since they bring before them the names and acts of our brethren so far separated from us. The laws of the congregation having been found defective by the persons who presided over its affairs, from various causes, but more particularly from the increase of members who had arrived since its first formation, the committee of managers appointed a sub-committee to revise and improve the laws. The sub-committee consisted of Messrs. Moses Joseph, President; Isaac Simmons, past President, and George Moss; these gentlemen duly executed the task imposed on them, and reported a code of laws and regulations to the general committee, who carefully perused thern, and considered them essentially necessary and requisite for the good government of the congregation, and in publishing them they expressed the hope that they would meet with  the approbation of the whole Jewish community, “as no society can exist without a perfect obedience to the rules and regulations which are made for the benefit of all.” The report is dated the 21st of Nissan, 5605, at the Synagogue chambers of Kahal Kadesh “Beth Israel.” And at a general meeting held at the Sydney Synagogue chambers, on Sundav, the 20th of April, 5605, Mr. M. Joseph, chairman, it was proposed by Mr. H. Cohen, and seconded by Mr. J. Barnett, “that the Code of Laws read this day be received and adopted as the laws of this congregation.” The laws and rules are introduced as follows: “Resolved, That this Synagogue and Congregation be called ‘The House of Israel,’ or ‘Beth Israel.’ The Synagogue shall be open for Divine Service on all proper and necessary occasions. The Form of Prayers to be read in the Synagogue shall be the same as that read by the Great Synagogue in London, subject to such curtailment, modifications and abridgments as may be deemed necessary by the Committee.” (Rather an indefinite force which is subject to such irresponsible agents; this clause ought to be rescinded, and we hope it will be done soon if it is not already abolished, or at least modified.)—”The time for Divine Service to be regulated by the <<563>>Committee.

Hours for morning Service on Sabbath and Holidays: from New Year to Passover (spring and summer), half-past seven A.M. From Passover to New Year (autumn and winter); eight o’clock A. M. The congregation is to consist of those Jews who were the founders on the 17th of October, 1832, or the 5th of Tishri, 5593, and such persons shall be considered Privileged Members, entitled to vote on all lawful occasions, and are admitted to all the privileges and immunities of our Holy Religion.” Under the revised rules, the privileged members were stated as those who were members of the 15th of Nissan, 5605; and by the same rules every Hebrew residing in the Colony of New South Wales may become a member by addressing a letter to the President and being elected by ballot at the first subsequent meeting of the committee, a majority of votes being enough for such election. A son of a privileged member shall pay on admission one guinea; any other, two guineas, when he shall become equal to the old members. Widows of deceased members, paying the annual contribution, shall be allowed to vote (if desired, by proxy), and have all the rights of membership. But all their privileges cease at a second marriage. The President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Committee (equivalent to the Board in American congregations), have to attend divine service every Friday evening, Sabbath morning, and all holidays, prior to the reading of the Sepher Torah, or pay a penalty of one shilling and sixpence (sterling), unless detained by sickness, or absence from Sydney. The officers of the congregation shall consist of a President, Treasurer, and eight committee men, to be elected annually, on the Sunday prior to Rosh Hashanah, and are to enter on their duties on the eve of Sabbath Bereshith. The Vice-President to be elected from the committee.—The President is empowered to direct the distribution of the calls to the Torah, Mitzvos, &c., and in his absence the Treasurer shall attend to this duty.—The Board are to appoint competent gentlemen to deliver discourses in the English language in the Synagogue or committee room on Sabbath and holidays, and such especial occasions as they may deem proper and necessary.—A register of all births, marriages, and deaths shall be kept by the Secretary, both in Hebrew and English. The secretary and collector, in conjunction with the officiating minister, are to attend all marriage ceremonies.—The price for seats is, for classes A, B, C, and D, £5 per annum; for classes E and F, £4; G and H, £3, and the lower portion of the Synagogue, £2 2s. Ladies’ seats, first and second row, twenty shillings, and all other seats fifteen shillings per annum.—All marriages (of which notice is to be given to the President) must be solemnized in Sydney in the Synagogue, fronting the Ark, unless parties make application to have it done at <<564>>their own residence.—All bridegrooms and their paternal relatives shall attend divine service the Sabbath before and after marriage, and shall be called to the Torah, and shall offer a donation, or be fined the sum of twenty-one shillings for non-compliance with this regulation.—All arrears must be paid by both parties before a marriage ceremony can be performed. Members’ children and members marrying shall pay two shillings and sixpence for the Kethuba; non-privileged members shall pay a sum not exceeding twenty-one shillings for the same, at the discretion of the President.—All persons who are not members of the congregation, who come from the surrounding colonies or from the interior to be married, shall pay a fee of not less than five nor more than ten guineas, besides the fee for the Kethuba; but if unable, the President and Treasurer conjointly have discretionary powers to reduce this charge.—All female children must be named in the Synagogue within thirty-one days from their birth.—No one to be buried till all arrearages due to the Synagogue are paid.—No inscription shall be placed on tomb or head-stone without the written sanction of the President.—For erecting a tomb and for a head and foot-stone a fee of ten shillings is to be paid.—All Jews resident in the colony, (as non residents in town can be either privileged or non-privileged members,) who are not subscribers for upwards of twelve months, who may require the services of the congregation, shall pay at the rate of two guineas per annum, from the time of their arrival prior to their having the required rites performed. But the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer shall have discretionary power to reduce this charge if they deem it necessary.—Before any parent can have his child named he must pay all arrears.

We have extracted the principal peculiar features of the laws of the Sydney congregation, as no doubt many would like to know how things are managed in Australia. The officers for 5605 were, J. Moses, President; L. Barnett, Treasurer; S. Benjamin, S. Lyon, E. Phillips, I. Solomon, A. Elias, P. Hart, P. Solomon, and —— Joseph, Committee; Rev. Jacob Isaacs (brother of Rev. S. M. Isaacs, of New York), Chazan; Mordecai Moses, Shammass and Collector; E. Crabb, Secretary;

J. Joel, Beadle, and L. Jacob, Keeper of Burial Ground. Trustees of the Synagogue: Messrs. M. Joseph, President; I. Simmons, Past President; A. Elias and John Isaacs, Past Treasurers. Trustees of the Burial Ground, Messrs. J. B. Montefore, M. Phillips, and P. J. Cohen.—From the printed list attached to the report of the Board for 5605, learn that there were in that year one hundred and eleven male members holding seats in the Synagogue, and the debt owing by the congregation amounted to £1111 14s. 6d.—We close for the present, and mean to give some more details in our next if possible.