The Hebrew Standard (November 27, 1903)
Two thousand people stood for several hours in a drizzling rain last Sunday, and 200 or so more clung to the fire escapes of neighboring tenements to watch the ceremonies attending the laying of the cornerstone of the new temple of the Roumanian Jewish congregation, Adath Jeshurun of Jassy, at 58 Rivington street.
The new synagogue, which is being built directly across the street from the University Settlement, will also be used in part as a school for the teaching of Hebrew. The congregation was organized sixteen years ago and now worships at 113 Hester street. The new temple will be the second to be built by the Roumanian Jews on the East Side.
The cornerstone was laid by Louis Haims, the restaurant man, the largest contributor to the new synagogue. In the stone was placed a large gilded book containing the names of every one who gave anything to the building fund. The stone contains also an account of the exodus of Jews from Roumania to America, a history of the congregation and copies of the Jewish daily newspapers.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Silverman, of Temple Emanu-El, who made the principal address, declared that the laying of the cornerstone marked the beginning of a new era for the Roumanian colony in New York. In Europe there were two streams of influence, he said, one for good and the other for evil; the evil, however, often working for the good. That was what happened when Roumania persecuted the Jews.
"Roumania thought to finish the Jews," said he, "and this is her punishment. To-day we are celebrating the entrance and the establishment of the Roumanian Jews into this land of liberty."
Dr. Silverman said he was a born American and a Jew to the core. "I combine my religion and my patriotism as I would have all my people combine their religion and their piety," said he. "When you have the love of God and the love of country, you have a true man, rounded in all the virtues."
The rabbis of a number of East Side congregations also made addresses, all speaking in the same patriotic vein. The band, composed of graduates of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, playing national and popular airs, nots forgetting "Hiawatha." In the evening there were fireworks.