Obituaries Australia

The announcement on the placards of the evening newspapers of Tuesday last, that Mr Jacob Hollander had passed away somewhat suddenly at his residence, 'Maramanah,' Macleay-street, Potts Point, Sydney, caused quite a painful sensation among the many friends of the deceased both in social and commercial circles.

The deceased was a man of few words, yet, he actively interested himself in all matters that he considered deserved his attention. Although a busy man, his thoughts were not suborned to materialism. He was a sincerely orthodox Jew and valued and appreciated his descent and association with an ancestry which had been spiritual guides for generations past. His father recently deceased at close upon 90 years of age was the Rev. M. Hollander, so highly esteemed by the congregation of Birmingham.

The late Mrs. Jacob Hollander was the daughter of Rabbi L. Goldberg of Posen who subsequently settled in England where his scholarship attracted attention.

Deceased was a native of Poland, born on 2nd March, 1836, and left his native land when about fourteen years of age. His early training inculcated a reverent love for his religion and the duties, practices and principles attached thereunto. Over 30 years ago he resided in Ballarat, and there held executive office as President, Treasurer, and Committee man. On removal to Sydney he became a regular attendant at the Great Synagogue and endeavoured by his personal adherence to all that is deemed desirable to impress those under his care with their duties and obligations to Judaism. For many years he has been either choson Torah or choson Berishus a selection he highly prized. He was fondly devoted to the study of Hebrew literature, and delighted in reading the commentaries of the sages and in expounding the principles therein laid down. It must be regretted that he had not the opportunities in his early days for obtaining that facile delivery in English which he possessed in Hebrew as his studies would have resulted in valuable instruction for a larger circle had he reduced them to the vernacular or been heard in public. He had looked forward to the pleasure of meeting Rabbi Francis L. Cohen, the new minister of the Great Synagogue, with whom he hoped to enjoy many hours intercourse in Hebrew literature, and in his own mind was planning the necessary instructions in our ancient language for his grandchildren, to whom he was much attached and who had for him the greatest love and admiration. Unostentatiously he gave liberally, considering at the same time that practical help and personal assistance were of the utmost necessity for the fulfilment of the commandments to relieve misery and distress. The Zionist Movement was a particular object of his concern, and to the last he supported thelocal movement consistently, and was just re-nominated President unanimously. He believed in the retributive punishment of the persons or the nations guilty of atrocities, and cited the plight of Spain, Italy, and the defeat of the Russians in this connection. His ability as a linguist – he was conversant with German, Hebrew, Russian, Polish, Arabic and Italian – assisted him in his studies. It is a pathetic incident that he was seated among his many valuable books in his extensive library within a few minutes of his seizure — death having resulted from heart failure— reading a play, dealing with Russia and Siberia, lent him for perusal by his friend, Mr. Bland Holt, and on its open page his spectacles were found, lying over the word 'exit.'

His family with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Cohen, of Newcastle, were all present.

The last rites were lovingly performed by members of his own family circle, and his grandson, Master Kenneth Solomon, placed the talith which had been presented to him on his Barmitzvah by his grandfather, comparatively recently, in the mortal casement of its donor, first removing a section of the fringes (whichi were worn by the male relatives to mark the Kereah) and attaching a mezzusah in lieu, thereof.

The funeral cortege was an exceptionally long one, and a special conveyance was requistioned to carry the wreaths sent by sympathisers who were not aware of the deceased's wish in that respect.

The empty cab, used by Mr. Hollander for many years followed and over fifty of the employees, many of whom had been with their employer since boyhood, were on foot.

The funeral service was rendered by the Rev. P. Pilippstein, who constrained by the laws relating to the month of Nissen, spoke but a few words of eulogy at the Necropolis. The bier was borne to its last resting place by the members of the Zionist League. Following a traditional practice Master Kenneth Solomon at the close of the service placed a small red stone and a white one on the head of the grave whilst reciting the formula (Isaiah I. 19), 'Though your sins should be as scarlet, they shall become white as snow.'

The chief mourners were: Messrs Abraham A. Hollander, L. Louis Hollander (sons), Lewis Hollander (brother), S. H. Solomon, ( City Treasurer, Sydney), John J. Cohen, M.L.A., B. Keith Cohen (sons-in-laws), Kenneth Solomon, Cedric Keith Cohen, Colyn Keith Cohen (grandsons), A. Leiser (brother-in-law).

Among others not previously enumerated we noticed the following present at the funeral: — The Rev. A. B. Davis, Rev. D. M. Lederberg, Uev. Mr. Waldson, Mr. Louis Phillips (President Great Synagogue), Messrs. M. Gotthelf, Neville J. D. Cohen, A. Blashki, Samuel Cohen, J.P. (President Sir Moses Montefiore HoineJ Alroy M. Cohen (Hon. Secretary Jewish' Sabbath Schools); the following represented the N.S.W. Zionist League, Hanry Harris and Mr. Jackson; (Vice-Presidents), Henry Hockiuas ami E j Green (Past Presidents), I. Bergman (Secretary); the Baron de Hirsch Society by (Sol Lev) (President), J. Esserman (Treasurer), and A. Marks (Secretary;the N.S.W. Hebrew Benevolent Society, S. Rosenthal (President), J. Cooper (Treasurer), and J. Opit (Secretary) ; the Hon James Ashton (Minister for Lands), Hon. B. B. O'Connor (Minister for Public Instruction), Hon. Dr. W. P. Cullen, K.C., Senator Edward Piilsford, T. H. Nesbitt (Town Clerk, Sydney), W. Gordon (City Surveyor), Geo. McRae (Assistant Government Architect), W. L. Langdon (Mayor of Petersham), Dr. R. Todd. Dr. Ivenna, Mr. A. A. Cohen, Dr. Oscar Flyman, Bland Holt, Leo. W. Cohen, C. Sanderson Lyster, H. Hillyar, J. Mandelson, P. C. Mitchell, A. M. Brodziak, A. A. Brodziak, W. Lowe, J. Briton, L. E. Isaacs, John Close, [. Prizeman. Arthur Wood, C. Smith, Mons. Augenheyster, L. Rosenblum, Percy J. Marks, B. P. Marks. David Marks, Marcus Hertzberg, Leo Cohen, S. Harris, R. Solomon, Charles Solomon. Clifford Solomon, J. Gardiner, W. Roberts, T. A. H. Wing, R. Asher, B. Cohen, W. Dean, Captain Jackson, E, Mapleston, S. Mount, J. Barnett, D. Miller, L. Rich, D. Barnard, M. Bergman, Roy MenSelson, Cyril Mandelson, M. Crook, H. Simpson, Captain T. L. Mullins, J. Rosenthal, William G. Coleburn, W. Redpath Turner, Geo. Hislop, W. O'Connor, Frank O'Connor, J. Parker, A. E. Hibble, Arthur W. Hyman, J. R. Bull, Robert Rheuben, J. Moss. J. Challenor, J. Farnham, Buckingham, Kelsey, Bailey, and Percy E. Hollander.

Wreaths were received from the following : Dr. and Mrs. A. A. Cohen and family, Mr. Mrs. Samuel Cohen, Capfc. T. L. Mullen, Dr. and Mrs. R. H. Todd, Colonel and Mrs. Lyster, the Mayor and Mayoress of Petersham, the House Staff, Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Nathan, Hon. S. W. and Mrs. Moore, Mr. Augenheyster, Dr. and Mrs Wade, Mr. and Mrs. Bland Holt, Mr. V. H. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. E. Gostelow Mr. Hay den, Mr. J. L. Eroys, Mr and Mrs, A. M. Hertzberg (Brisbane), Mr. and Mrs. A. Hertzberg (Brisbane), Mr. and Mrs. Robert Little, Miss Coppin, Mr. and Mrs. J. Mandelson, Mr. and Mrs: John Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. Maplestom, The Employers, Mr. Alfred Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Harper Wing, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hillyar.