Page:The Dalston Synagogue-an historical sketch.djvu/8

 moned representatives of both Congregations to an interview at his office, with a view to composing their differences; but his efforts at peace-making proved unavailing. It was contended by the supporters of the North London Synagogue that the quarter for whose religious needs Mr. Cohen and his coadjutors had originally sought to make provision were the more remote Hackney and Dalston districts, and that so long as they confined their efforts to that region, so far from encountering opposition, they would receive the most cordial support from North London. Only when they threatened the financial stability of the older Congregation by approaching so near its borders, would North London continue to offer the most strenuous resistance to the movement. At a meeting of the seat-holders of the North London Synagogue, convened by Mr. B. Birnbaum at his residence on August 14th, public expression was given to their objections to the proposed erection. It was pointed out by the Chairman that for seven years North London had been struggling against great difficulties, and now, when these difficulties were being surmounted, and the liabilities incurred in the building of the Synagogue were being extinguished, they were threatened with a grave situation at their very door. A resolution, proposed by the late Mr. Henry Hart, and unanimously adopted, faithfully reflected the feeling of the meeting:—

"That in the opinion of this meeting the erection of a Synagogue in the Newington Green Road is to be deeply regretted, inasmuch as it not only must prejudicially interfere with the interests of the North London Synagogue, but because it will fail to provide, except to a very small extent, for the wants of the residents of Dalston and Hackney, for which purpose the movement was originally inaugurated."

Opposition seemed rather to stimulate than diminish the energy of the promoters of the new Synagogue. An application was made to the United Synagogue for a grant of £2,000 towards the erection. It was stated that £1,000 had already been collected, and £400 had been promised. The proposed building was to accommodate 200 gentlemen and 150 ladies. The sub-committee appointed by the United Synagogue to consider the application reported unfavourably. It did not consider that the Dalston Building Committee had received sufficient support to justify the recommendation of a grant of £2,000.

Defeated in their application to the United Synagogue, the promoters of the Dalston Synagogue, however, were not to be deflected from their purpose to have their own place of worship. At a general meeting held in January, 1876, it was decided to lease a plot of ground at 120, Mildmay Road, from Messrs. Stroud, the freeholders, for a period of 90. years at a yearly rental of £40. Messrs. M. J. Winkel and J. Chapman were added to the Building Committee, who were charged with the settlement of the lease. The plans and specifications of the new Synagogue were drawn up by Mr. Isidore Spielmann, who gave his services gratuitously, and the contract for its erection was placed with Mr. Kent, of Euston Road.

The Synagogue, which was constructed within the space of five weeks, was a building of corrugated iron, the interior being walled and grained with varnished yellow and pitch pine. There were four Gothic windows on either side, and there was one of coloured glass above the