Article regarding the Cornertone Ceremony for Beth Israel Synagogue, 1930 (Hamilton, Ohio)

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Article from the Hamilton Daily News, Saturday, October 25, 1930.

CORNERSTONE TO BE PLACED

Beth Israel Congregation to Assemble Sunday at Site of New Temple

Nathan Leshner will be the master of ceremonies at the cornerstone laying of the Beth Israel congregation, on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the new synagogue site, on the southeastern corner of Butler and Sixth streets. 

Rabbi Stern, of Middletown, will deliver the opening prayer before the entire gathering will sing "America." Addresses by Mayor Raymond H. Burke, George W. Barkman, architect; Rabbi Gabriel Zakuto, of the local congregations; and Rabbi Samuel I. Zakuto, of New Castle, Pa., son of the local rabbi, will follow.

The cornerstone will be auctioned to the highest bidder, who will gain the privilege of laying it. Within the stone will be placed a metal box containing the history of the synagogue, city newspapers of the day, the names of the congregation, of the societies of the temple and of the committees participating in the erection of the building and American coins of the day. The closing prayer will be offered by Rabbi Gabriel Zakuto, before the entire gathering will sing the Jewish national anthem, "Hatichvah." 

A banquet will be served, immediately following the ceremony, by the Ladies' Auxiliary in the K. of P. hall and a splendid program has been arranged also for this part of the occasion. 

Morris Mostow, as president of the congregation, assisted by other officers, Harry Leshner, vice-president; Harry Schloss, secretary, and Jacob Bertman, treasurer, has worked untiring for the new synagogue. The trustees are Louis Piker, David Schwartz and Abe Anstadt. Also assisting with the project were members of the Ladies' Auxiliary, under the leadership of Mrs. Rose Sherman, president; Mrs. Jacob Leshner, vice-president; Mrs. David Schwartz, secretary, and Mrs. Meyer Schaengold, treasurer. 

The ground for the foundation of the new building was broke at a fitting ceremony on Sunday, September, 28. The synagogue to cost about $25,000, is expected to be completed by January 1. The furnishings are estimated at about $5,000. The plans show a social room, seating main auditorium, in which individual seats will be installed to care for an audience of about 300 persons. Memorial Art-Glass windows will be used in the auditorium. 

The general contractor is a A. Benzing and Sons company while the heating, plumbing and wiring systems will be installed by the Walker company. Mostow and Corbin company has charge of the brick and stone work.

Meyer Fogel is chairman of the building committee with Jacob Leshner as secretary, while the finance committee is headed by Max Hornstein, chairman, and Harry Strauss, secretary.