fixed in its proper position, when corn, wine, and oil were distributed, and the following prayer pronounced by the Hon. Reader:—
"Almighty Architect of the Universe, who didst, ere the creation of man, lay the foundation of the earth, stretching out the heavens like a curtain, and placing the beams of Thy chambers in the waters. Thou art clothed with glory and majesty: Thou alone art the Author of all good gifts. Vouchsafe Thy blessing on this work in which we are now engaged in honour of Thy holy name. Bless it, O Lord! as Thou didst bless the work of Solomon, the great King of Israel. Grant that the structure which we hope to see here spring up may promote the welfare of Thy people. May Thy bounties make us happy, and endow us with gratefulness, so that we may be ever eager to meet each other in this minor sanctuary, there to offer, from the fulness of our hearts, thankfulness to Thee. May this structure prove to us the happy effects of brotherly love. May it teach us to embrace the pure doctrines of our Holy faith, as a means whereby we may learn to be happy. May it teach us to practice charity in its purest sense, which inculcates 'Love thy neighbour as thyself,' whereby we may live in the bonds of harmony and peace. We beseech Thee, O Lord, to bless our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria, Adelaide, the Queen Dowager, Prince Albert, Albert, Prince of Wales, and all the Royal family. Let Thy wisdom be their guide, Thy Providence their protection, and Thine everlasting kingdom their final portion. Vouchsafe also to bless His Excellency the Governor of this territory, and all the locally constituted authorities. Let justice, truth, and righteousness flourish in their days, and in ours, and may peace and plenty abound in this land. Grant, O Lord, that our faith may ever rest on Thy promises, that we may live happy and contented to the fulness of time, when it shall please Thee to restore us once more to that land which Thou didst promise to our forefathers, that at last we may form part of Thy glorious and eternal Temple above. Amen."
The Hon. Reader next gave forth this invocation:— "May the bounteous hand of Providence ever supply this Province with abundance of corn, wine, and oil, and all the other necessaries of life. May He, whose mighty hand encompasseth eternity, be the Guardian and Protector of this House of Prayer, dedicated to the worship of His Holy name. May He long preserve it from peril and decay. Amen."
The President followed with a brief address; the ceremonial was concluded, and after a hearty hurrah the company departed.
Previous to the termination of the proceedings, the sum of £2 10s. was collected, and handed over to the workmen (a most unusual appropriation), and in the evening the "Children of Israel" celebrated the event by dining together at the Shakespeare (now the Union Club) Hotel, in Collins Street.
The building was opened for service on the 17th March, 1848.
The First Rabbi.
The Rev. Moses Rintel, the first Rabbi in the colony, was born in Edinburgh in 1824. His father (the Rev Myer Rintel), had acquired a high reputation as a Hebrew and Talmudical scholar. The son received a diploma from Chief Rabbi, Dr. S. Herschel, and as a duly authorised Jewish Minister, went to Sydney in 1844, and not only founded, but became Principal of the Sydney Hebrew Academy. In 1849 he accepted "a call" from Melbourne, where he afterwards officiated for some years, and was mainly instrumental in establishing the Mickva Yisrael Synagogue in East Melbourne, and was appointed to its pastorate. Few public mwn were better known in the city during his time than the "Rabbi Rintel", as he was called, and he died regretted about seven years ago.
On the 3rd September, 1849, the second anniversary of the foundation of the Synagogue was signalised by a grand dinner at the late Rainbow Hotel, corner of Swanston and Little Collins Streets. The symposium was not an exclusively Jewish affair, for a few select Gentiles were admitted to partake of the carnal viands. Quite a jovial evening was spent, and it was difficult to decide as to the superiority of the speeches or the potations, for both were of the "first brands." The conventional toasts were duly pledged, and the following were received with "nine times nine" and all the honours:— "The Melbourne Synagogue," "The Rev. Dr. Adler," "The Congregations of the Sister Colonies," "The Rev. M. Rintel and the Jewish Clergy," and "Sir Moses Montefiore."
The Executive of New South Wales having refused an application from the Jews of Port Phillip for a grant of £500 out of the State Aid for Religion Fund, so much indignation was felt in
