Report of the Committee of Arrangement for Laying the Corner Stone of the New Synagogue of the Portuguese Congregation "Mickve Israel" Made to the Building Committee. Together with the Address Delivered on that Occasio by The Rev. S. Morais.

(AMERICAN-JUDAICA).

Collins

Philadelphia

1859

Singerman 1593.

Mickve Israel, became known as the 'Synagogue of the American Revolution’ - indeed Benjamin Franklin contributed to its first building fund. The present pamphlet relates to the construction of its third building. This followed the lengthy rabbinate of Isaac Leeser, succeeded by Sabato Morais who presided in turn for 46 years. Listed here are the many luminaries of Philadelphia Jewry who contributed to the Building Campaign and participated in the inaugural ceremonies. The Committee of Arrangement consisted of Edwd. S. Mawson, Joseph L. Moss, and Isaac J. Phillips. Rabbi Morais's discourse is included in which he counsels: "If there be pride in us, if the vanity of exhibiting a more sightly structure than others possess, impelled us to designate this place as our future Synagogue…let us then bury first such unholy feelings in the bosom of the earth."