Purim Festivities, Rapides Parish Louisiana

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From Alexandria Town Talk Weekly, 14 Mar 1885

Purim Festivities at Alexandria.
   A beautiful sun, a balmy breeze,l and a delightful 
temperature, were most fortunately all combined in one 
on last Sunday, the day selected for the Purim Entertainment, 
in remembrance of beautiful Queen Esther, which was held 
last Sunday afternoon, at 3 o'clock at the Jewish Synagogue, 
this place.
   The bright, smiling, happy faces of the Sunday School 
scholars as they filed in the Synagogue and took their 
seats in the different places assigned to the classes, 
showed that the pretty day and the happy occasion was not 
lost in their youthful hearts.
   Promptly at the hour appointed for the commencement 
of the exercises, the Rev. Mr. Chumaceiro arose and offered 
a short prayer.  He was followed by a most exquisite solo,  
beautifully rendered, by Prof. Chase, of New Orleans.
   Rev. Mr. Chumaceiro, the efficient and pleasant Rabbi 
of the Alexandria Synagogue addressed the Sunday School 
scholars, and in a simple manner, so that the youngest 
child could understand, told the children why the "Feast 
of Queen Esther" was celebrated by the Hebrews throughout 
the world.  HE said that two lessons could be learned from 
the history of Queen Esther and Mordica, her cousin, 
mentioned in the Bible.  One was, that the girls should 
pattern after Queen Esther, - they might never grow to be 
as handsome in face as her, but their hearts could be like 
hers was, and that a kind, good and true heart was more 
essential to win and keep friends than a comely face.
   The other lesson expressed in the history of Queen 
Esther, was the love of country displayed by Mordica, 
the Jew, who, although a captive in a foreign country, 
nevertheless saved the life of the King.  HE instructed 
the boys to follow in the footsteps of Mordica the Jew.  
To love their country, and strictly observe its laws and 
customs.  The Rabbi gave some wise advice to the boys 
about carrying concealed weapons. He said that the boy 
or man who caried a pistol was in danger of takibng human 
life, and ninety-nine times out of a hundred, the blood 
of an innocent person was shed by the pistol carrier.
   Miss Deborah Asher, of Shreveport, most beautifully 
sang a soprano solo entitled, "Oh, I have sighed to 
rest me."
   The next in order was the meeting of the Sunday 
School Library Association, the officers of which are:  
Sydney Schmalinski, President; Miss Florence Mayer, 
Vice-President; Ben Rosenthal, Treasurer; Miss Jennie 
Mayer, Recording Secretary; Bennie Weil Financial 
Secretary and Miss Augusta Schmalinski, Librarian.
   The President, Master Schmalinski, stated the 
object of the meeting, and although young in years 
for a presiding officer, acted his part well.  The 
constitution of the Association was read by the 
Recording Secretary, in a fine distinct tone, so 
that all could hear. The Association is to meet 
once a month.  Some books for the Library were 
donated by friends during the meeting.
   Miss Leona Weil rendered a soprano solo, entitled 
Separation, and has a very sweet voice, and if the 
celebration had been in other than a house of worship, 
the encore would have been great.
   The recitations of theSunday School scholars created 
worlds of fun for the older folks.  All sizes of both 
sexes from 10 years down to 4, recited pieces of poetry, 
of their own selection, and some of the little girls 
and boys spoke well.
   To give the titles of the recitations would take up 
too much of ou limited space, so we will only name those 
little folks who walked up and faced the immense audience, 
and spoke.  We will first specify those of the THIRD, or 
highest class:  Miss Augusta Schmalinski, Florence Mayer,
Jennie Mayer, and Masters Joe Levy and Isaac DeSola.
   Those who recited from the SECOND  Class, were the 
Misses Hettie Weil, Sallie Hess, Carrie Goldenberg, 
Bertha Rosenthal, Florence Heyman, Flora Lehman, Hortense 
Schmalinski and Eugene Rosenthal and Henry Aaron.
   The little tiny ones from the THIRD class who recited, 
were the Misses Ida and Etta Goldenberg, Della and Hettie 
Heyman, Camile Levy, Rachal Hess, Esther and Rosa Rosenthal, 
and Masters Charlie Lehman, Willie Gehr, Charles DeSola 
and Isaiah Rosenthal.
   After the Rabbi had offered benediction, and the audience 
had been dismissed, the Sunday School scholars who had kept 
their seats, formed in marching order and went to Mr. A. 
Siess' restaurant, where refreshments were served, and the 
little folks all made happier than ever.
   The young lady teachers of the Hebrew Sunday School, who 
by their efforts made such a success in the pleasant addresses 
of their scholars, certainly deserve great credit.  They are 
the Misses Sallie Rosenthal, Rosa Weil, Pauline Rosenthal, 
Augusta Warschauer, Cricket Levin and Nannie Rosenthal.
   Purim, 1885, at Alexandria, will long be remembered with 
pride and joy by the Hebrews, young and old, of Rapides parish.