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fifteen years, was destined now to carry away the familiar figure of Mr. Joseph Birn from the Warden's box, a place which he had filled for nine consecutive years. He had furthermore served eight years previously as member of the Board of Management, so that he could claim the enviable record of seventeen years' continuous service on behalf of the Congregation. He had also for several years represented Dalston on the Council and on the Board of Deputies. In recognition of his invaluable work, a testimonial, consisting of an illuminated address, was presented to him on November 9th, 1904. His place as Warden was taken by Mr. Abraham Lewis, who was called to that office at the annual election in 1904. On the Board of Deputies he was succeeded by Mr. A. Posener. The following year (1905) witnessed two further changes in the personnel of the Executive by the departure from the box of Mr. P. Josephs and Mr. A. Posener. Both gentlemen had rendered yeoman's service to the Congregation during their term of office. Mr. Josephs had discharged the functions of Warden with unfailing tact and grace for a period of five years, and Mr. Posener had displayed equal zeal and ability in carrying out the responsible duties of Financial Representative for a space of ten years. In recognition of their valued services, a fund was raised among the members of the Congregation, with the proceeds of which, after deducting expenses for illuminated addresses for both gentlemen, a magnificent electric standard, placed at the side, of the Ark, was purchased for the Synagogue. The corresponding electric standard at the other side of the Ark was presented by Mr. S. M. Dubowski in memory of his parents. Messrs. Josephs and Posener were followed in their respective offices by Messrs. Bernard Loewenstein and M. Drukker.
In March, 1906, the Rev. J. Lesser, the veteran Hazan of the Congregation, departed this life amid universal expressions of sorrow from old and young. From the very outset of his connection with the Congregation, he had endeared himself to all by his frank and unassuming character, and on two separate occasions presentations were made to him by the seat-holders, testifying to the affection and regard in which he was held: on November 23rd, 1890, on the occasion of his daughter's marriage to Mr. J. Bruske, and ten years later on his completion of the twenty-fifth year of his faithful service on behalf of the Synagogue. As a more abiding monument of the love with which he was cherished, a tablet in his memory was erected in the Hall of the Synagogue, and his portrait hung in the Vestry. A sum of money was furthermore collected among the members, with the proceeds of which a brass railing for the Ark of the Synagogue was purchased. Four handsome electric standards, placed on the Almemar, were presented to the Synagogue in his memory by his daughter, Mrs. Leon Leapman.
In arranging for the election of a successor to Mr. Lesser, it was decided, in order to avoid the heat and unrest incidental to a contest involving the whole Congregation, to vest the appointment in the hands of the Board of Management, reinforced by an Advisory Committee consisting of fifteen regularly-attending seat-holders. To ensure the acceptableness of the destined Reader to the members, it was furthermore decided that no candidate was to be recommended for the office who did not poll at least three-fifths of the votes of the Election Committee. Eventually, after hearing seven applicants for the post, the Election Committee selected the Rev. Philip Fassenfeld as the sole candidate, a selection which was subsequently ratified by the seat-holders at a general meeting held on December 30th, 19106.
