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ASCAMOT

OR

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

OF THE

Manchester Congregation

OF

Spanish and Portuguese Jews.

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APPROVED BY THE YEHIDIM ON JANUARY, 16TH, 1910.
AND TO TAKE EFFECT FROM MARCH 31ST, 1910.

ASCAMOT

OR

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

OF THE

Manchester Congregation

OF

Spanish and Portuguese Jews.

REVISED and AMENDED.

5670—1910.

MANCHESTER:
PRINTED BY H. H. ASHWORTH & CO., 63 BROWN STREET.

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INDEX.
Law. Page.
Accounts .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 .... 5
Accounts in Arrear .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 .... 6
Auditors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 62 .... 13
Bar-Mitzvah .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 .... 5
Charity and Relief .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 .... 6
Charitable Distribution, Limitof  .. .. .. .. 30 .... 6
Choir .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 .... 2
Collections, Prohibition of Private, in the Synagogue .. 5 .... 1
Collector, Duties of .. .. .. .. .. .. 43 .... 9
Decorum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 .... 1
Deputies, Board of .. .. .. .. .. .. 63 .... 13
Divine Service .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 .... 2
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction .. .. .. .. .. 4 .... 1
Executive, Qualification for .. .. .. .. .. 49 .... 10
" Annual Election  .. .. .. .. 48 .... 9
" Mode of Election of .. .. .. .. 51 .... 10
" Duties of .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 .... 12
" Installation of .. .. .. .. .. 54 .... 11
" Vacancies in .. .. .. .. .. 52 .... 10
Funerals, Fixed Scale of Charges for .. .. .. — .... 16
Government .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 45 .... 9
Graves, Charges for .. .. .. .. .. .. 68-70 ..14-15
Graves. Reserved .. .. .. .. .. .. 69-70 ..14-15
Hazanim, Duties of .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 .... 7
Hebra Gemilut Hassadim .. .. .. .. .. 67 .... 14
Honorary Secretary, Duties of .. .. .. .. 58 .... 12
Honorary Solicitor .. .. .. .. .. .. 61 .... 13
Laws, Alteration of .. .. .. .. .. .. 75 .... 15
Mahamad, Qualification for .. .. .. .. .. 46 .... 9
" Disqualification of Relatives on .. .. .. 47.... 9
" Disqualification of Members of .. .. .. 34 .... 7
" Annual Election of .. .. .. .. 48 .... 9
" Mode of Election of .. .. .. .. 51 .... 10
" Qualification for Ex-Officio Member of .. 50 .... 10
" Duties of .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 .... 12
" Meetings of.. .. .. .. .. .. 32 .... 6
" Special Meetings of .. .. .. .. 33 .... 7
" Vacancies in the .. .. .. .. .. 53 .... 11

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INDEX.
Law. Page.
Marriages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 .... 5
Marriage Fees .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23-24 .... 3
Membership, Qualification for .. .. .. .. 13 .... 3
Minhag .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2-3 .... 1
Mitzvoth and Aleyoth .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 .... 2
Name .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .... 1
Offerings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 .... 2
President, Duties of .. .. .. .. .. .. 55 .... 11
Privileges, Forfeiture of .. .. .. .. .. 71 .... 15
Registration .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 .... 5
Seatholdership .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 .... 2
" Privileges of .. .. .. .. 11 a,b,c,d. .... 2-3
" Privileges of Widows .. .. .. 12 .... 3
Seat Rentals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 .... 4
Seat Rentals, Reduced .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 .... 4
Seats, Applications for .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 .... 4
" Transfer of .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 .... 4
" Resignation of .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 .... 4
" Rental of to Non-Residents .. .. .. .. 20 .... 4
Shamash, Duties of .. .. .. .. .. .. 42 .... 8
Shechita, Board of .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 .... 13
Stipendiary Officials, Engagement of .. .. .. 35-36 .... 7
" " Priveleges of .. .. .. .. 37 .... 7
" " Regulations Governing .. .. 44 .... 9
Stipendiary Officials, Duties of .. .. .. 35-36 .... 7
Talmud Torah .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 65 .... 13
Talmud Torah Fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 66 .... 14
Treasurer, Duties of .. .. .. .. .. .. 57 ..11-12
Trusteeship .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 72-74 .... 15
Vice-President, Duties of .. .. .. .. .. 56 .... 11
Yehidim, Election of .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 .... 3
" Privileges of .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 .... 3
" Retention of Privileges by .. .. .. 15 .... 3
" Disqualification of .. .. .. .. .. 16 .... 4
" Meetings of .. .. .. .. .. .. 31 .... 6

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1

ASCAMOT.

1.  This Congregation shall be called the " MANCHESTER CONGREGATION OF SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE JEWS."  The
Synagogue of the Congregation shall be entitled "SHAARE TEPHILA."

2.  The Minhag of this Congregation shall be strictly Orthodox; that is to say, identical with that of the London Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews, "Shaar
Hashamayim," and the form of prayers shall be according to the Prayer Book edited and revised by Dr. M. Gaster, 1901-1906.

3.  In the event of any minor alteration being required by majority of members, it shall be submitted to the Haham
for his sanction.

4.  This Congregation shall be under the spiritual guidance of the Haham of the Orthodox Spanish and Portuguese
Congregations of the United Kingdom ; or in his absence any other Ecclesiastical authority acknowledged by the London Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews,
"Shaar Hashamayim."

5.  No person shall at any time make application for money, or collect any in the Synagogue, except, however, when
sanctioned by the Executive, but it shall be incumbent upon the Executive to make Collections on Purim, Fast Days, Eve of New Year, and Eve of the Day of Atonement.

6.  The Executive shall enforce strict Decorum during Divine Service.

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7. Time of service for the incoming and outgoing of Sabbath shall be posted on the notice board, in accordance with the time stated in the Almanac as recognised by the Haham. Service shall commence on Sabbath morning at 8-30, and the Sepher shall be taken out punctually at 10 o'clock. Members shall be duly notified by the Secretary, of the time of service for all Holy Days.

8. The distribution of Mitzvoth and Aleyoth shall be at the discretion of the Presiding Warden; but for the Holy Days such distribution shall as far as practicable be arranged before-hand by the Executive.

9. Offerings by Mi-Sheberach shall be allowed on all occasions, Sabbaths and Holy Days. No offerings shall be permitted to be made at the Hechal, excepting by the Baal Petihah, the gentlemen carrying a Sepher and the Accompagnar. Any offerings or Haschcaboth, other than those made by gentlemen called to the Sepher, shall be made immediately after the conclusion of the Haphtarah.

10. A paid choir consisting of at least eight choristers shall be permanently maintained.

11. A male of the Jewish Faith above the age of twenty-one years, renting a seat in the body of the Synagogue of the minimum value of three guineas per annum, and not being in arrears, shall be entitled :

(a) To share in the honours connected with Divine Service.

(b) To have the necessary assistance of the Congregation at all religious Rites and Ceremonies.

(c) To rent seats for any sons between the ages of thirteen and twenty-five years, and for unmarried daughters above the age of thirteen years, at half the usual rental of the seat for which application is made.

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 (d)  To rent seats for sons under the age of twenty-one years at one guinea per annum, but if an application should be received for such seat or seats at full rental, the junior seatholder shall retire.  He, however, shall be permitted to retain his seat on payment of half the usual annual rental until attaining the age of twenty-five years.

12.  A widow renting a seat in the Gallery, and not being in arrears, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a seatholder, membership excepted.

13.  A seatholder of this Congregation who has paid Three Guineas or more for his seat for a period of not less than twelve months immediately preceding his nomination as a member, shall if not in any arrears whatever, be eligible for admission as a Yahid of this Congregation.  Any such person desirous of being elected shall sign a form, undertaking, if elected, to abide by all the Laws then in force or to be thereafter enacted.

14.  Yehidim shall be elected only at General Meetings of Yehidim, and the names and addresses of all persons to be proposed for admission as Yehidim at any General Meeting, shall be set out in the notice convening such meeting.  No person proposed for admission as a Yahid shall be elected, unless he shall have previously been recommended by the Mahamad ; the voting shall be by ballot.  Upon election he shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership so long as he continues to rent and pay for a seat of such minimum annual value as set out above.  Every Yahid shall be furnished with a printed copy of the Laws.

Every such Yahid shall, in addition to the privileges of seatholders, be entitled to speak and vote at all General Meetings.

15.  Should any Yahid resign his seat and remove beyond twenty miles from Manchester, he shall be entitled by the yearly payment of one guinea to retain the privilege of having the necessary assistance of the Congregation at all religious Rites and Ceremonies.

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16.  Should a Yahid have departed from the tenets of our holy religion, he shall be excluded from the list of Yehidim, provided that the Mahamad shall by resolution declare that they find he has so acted.  If a Yahid be convicted of any criminal offence, he shall not be eligible to hold any office in the Congregation.

17.  The annual rental of seats in the body of the Synagogue shall be :—
Nos.  1 to 26     £6   6   0       Nos.  75 to 110     £4   4   0
Nos. 27 to 50     £5   5   0       Nos. 111 to 148     £3   3   0
The annual rental of all seats in the Gallery shall be £2   2   0 
 Seat rental shall be due quarterly, in advance. 
On any vacancies occurring in the front seats of the gallery, those renting back seats shall have the preference by order of priority of seatholdership.

18.  Seats may be let at a lower rate temporarily at the discretion of the Mahamad.

No one shall be allowed to sub-let or exchange his or her seat without the sanction of the Mahamad.

19.  Any person desirous of resigning his or her seat shall give three months' notice, from quarter day, in writing to the Secretary; at the termination of which notice all rights or privileges appertaining to any such resignee shall be considered at an end, and the seat declared vacant.

20.  The rental of seats in the Synagogue to non residents in Manchester shall be, from the period extending from and including Rosh Hashana and Succoth, Two Guineas for the first and second rows, and One Guinea for the third and fourth rows.  Gentlemen who reside within twenty miles of Manchester at least six months of the year, shall be considered residents and shall pay full rental.

21.  Applications for seats shall be made in writing to the Secretary ; all applications for seats received by the Secretary shall be brought before the Mahamad, which body itself shall have the sole power of allotting them.  One month prior to the High Festivals, the Mahamad shall appoint a sub-

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committee composed of three of its members to deal with the allotment of Holyday Seats.

22. Yehidim not being in arrears shall be entitled to be married by this Congregation, subject to the Rules and Regulations hereinafter set forth ; sons and daughters of Yehidim, occupying junior seats, shall be entitled to the same privileges provided always that their parents are not in arrears. Application for marriage shall be made in writing to the Secretary, at least three weeks previous thereto.

23. Marriage Fees shall be payable in advance as follows :—
SYNAGOGUE PRIVATE
To the Congregation.. 3 3 0 5 5 0
" " Minister ...... 1 1 0 1 1 0
" " 1st Hazan ... 1 1 0 1 1 0
" " 2nd Hazan... 0 10 6 0 10 6
" " Sty. Secretary 0 7 6 0 10 6
" " Shamash ...... 0 7 6 0 10 6
Choral Weddings £7. 7. 0. in addition to the above fees.

24. For seatholders and strangers, the fee to the Congregation in addition to six months’ seat Rental shall be from £3. 3. 0. to £10. 10. 0. at the discretion of the Mahamad ; the fees to the officials shall be as above. The above charges may be reduced at the discretion of the Mahamad in special cases.

25. Boys on attaining their religious majority (Bar Mitzvah) shall be permitted to recite the Blessings and Portion of the Law, provided due notice thereof, of at least one month, shall have previously been given to the Mahamad.

26. It shall be imperative on Yehidim and seatholders in this Congregation to register in the Congregational records, all births and deaths occurring in their families, and to pay a
registration fee of 1/- in each case. A copy of such registration may be obtained for a fee of 2/6.
27. Seat rentals, offerings, etc., in this Congregation shall be due and payable on the respective quarter days, viz. :— March 25th, June 24th, September 29th, and December 25th, in every year.

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28.  Yehidim being in arrears in the payment of their accounts for a longer period than six months shall forfeit the right of voting at all meetings ; should a Yahid or seatholder be in arrears for a longer period than twelve months, he or she shall be deprived of all the rights and privileges in the Congregation, and his or her seat, and also those occupied by his sons and daughters (under Law 11 (c, d,) may be declared vacant by the Mahamad, who shall, however, give to such person three months’ notice of such, their intention.  If necessary, payment may be enforced, but the Mahamad shall have the power of taking into consideration any satisfactory reason given for such arrears, and arrange the matter as they deem equitable.

A written application for accounts in arrear, accompanied by a copy of this Rule, shall in all cases be necessary.

29.  A fund, under the name of Ozer Dalim, shall be established under the direction of the Executive, for the purpose of affording relief where they consider necessary.

30.  No funds shall be disposed of for charitable purposes by the Executive unless the resources of the Ozer Dalim be exhausted, and in no case shall the Executive have power to dispose of more than £2 (two pounds) to each applicant unless it be so decided by a majority of two-thirds at a General Meeting of the Yehidim.

31.  The Yehidim of the Congregation shall, without exception, meet during the month of Iyar and the month of Tishri in every year, and at any other time that the Mahamad shall think fit, or within ten days from the date of presentation to the Presiding Warden of a requisition, signed by at least six members of the Mahamad, or twenty of the registered Yehidim, requesting him to convene a meeting for a specific purpose.  At all meetings of Yehidim twelve members shall form a quorum.

32. The Mahamad shall meet on the first Sunday after Rosh Hodesh, and at any other time that the Executive shall deem desirable. At all meetings of the Mahamad, five members shall form a quorum.

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33.  A special meeting of the Mahamad shall be convened within seven days of the presentation to the Presiding Warden of a requisition signed by at least three members of the Mahamad, and in which shall be specified the purpose of the special meeting.

34.  Any member of the Mahamad failing to attend three consecutive meetings without giving satisfactory reasons shall, at the discretion of the Mahamad, cease to be a member thereof.

35.  The Minister and Hazanim of this Congregation shall be elected by the majority of Yehidim at a meeting duly convened, subject to six months’ notice from next quarter day from either side to terminate such engagement.

36.  All stipendiary officials, other than the Minister and Hazanim shall be engaged by the Mahamad, subject to three months’ notice from any date from either side to terminate such engagement.

37.  While in office, all stipendiary officials shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges accorded to Yehidim, voting and membership excepted.

38.  The Hazanim, whenever Divine Service or Religious Rites and Ceremonies have to be solemnised, shall attend in their official attire, at least five minutes prior to commencement, and perform the same in compliance with Law 2.
They shall visit the sick, and attend at the house of mourning during Evening Service.

39.  The Secretary shall be considered a good and attesting witness on behalf of the Congregation.  He shall keep correctly: Separate minute books of meetings of the Mahamad and the Yehidim.  The necessary books of the revenue and expenditure of the Synagogue. Separate registers of Yehidim and seatholders, with their respective date of entry, full name in Hebrew and English, and place of residence.  A
register of all seats in the body and gallery of the Synagogue numerically with their respective owners and rental.  An inventory containing all movable and immovable property belonging to the Congregation.  Separate registers of births,

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marriages, and deaths, with their respective date of event, full of parties concerned, in Hebrew and English, and place of residence.

40. He shall act as Registrar under the Marriage Registration Acts, 6 and 7, Wm. IV., c. 86; 7 and 8 Vic., c. 81. He shall take charge of, and be accountable for all books, papers, etc., entrusted to his care. He shall copy out the Congregational quarterly and post the same within one week from the date of quarter day. He shall, within three weeks from quarter day, prepare for the Treasurer statements of Congregational accounts due. He shall, one week prior to the meeting of the Mahamad immediately following the 3lst day of March, prepare for the Treasurer a yearly Balance Sheet, showing in detail the income and expenditure, assets and liabilities, etc., up to March 31st. He shall post in due time the summonses of all meetings. He shall be present at all ceremonies of marriages and funerals, to superintend and attest the same.

41. He shall, whenever called upon official business, attend on any, or all of the members of Executive. He shall keep the business of the Congregation strictly private ; except' however, to the members of the Executive. He shall attend 
on Sundays from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Synagogue Chambers, to answer enquiries, etc. He shall take from the Synagogue letter box all letters, etc., and hand the same to their respective owners ; he shall hand over to the proper officers, all letters, etc., addressed to him on Congregational business.

42. The Shamash, whenever Divine Service or religious Rites and Ceremonies have to be performed shall be presen in his official attire, at least fifteen minutes prior to commencement. He shall have the care of the Synagogue, and be responsible for its appurtenances, he shall keep the Synagogue and its contents in a state of perfect order and cleanliness. He shall, prior to closing, see the Synagogue perfectly safe and secure ; he shall attend to the heating and to the lighting, and most carefully see to its extinction.

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43.  The Collector shall act under the superintendence of the Treasurer ; he shall collect all Congregational accounts, as the Treasurer shall direct.  He shall give good security in such sum and in such manner as the Mahamad shall deem satisfactory.  He shall hand over to the Treasurer, at least once a week, all moneys collected, and the documents, etc., containing the details thereof.

44.  They shall perform such duties herein not specified for them, respectively, as the Mahamad shall deem consistent with the office.  They shall not follow any profession or business other than Congregational, except with the sanction of the Mahamad.  They shall not allow anyone to fulfil their respective duties without the permission of the Mahamad. Any neglect of duty on their part shall render them, respectively, liable to be admonished by the Presiding Warden, and for continued neglect, to such steps as the Mahamad shall deem proper.

45.  The Government of this Congregation shall be vested in a Mahamad composed of six Yehidim, and the Executive, duly elected, as hereinafter directed, and such ex-officio members who may have become eligible according to Law 50.

46.  Any seatholder above the age of twenty-five years, who shall have been a Yahid for a period of twelve months and upwards, and not being in arrears, shall be eligible to serve on the Mahamad.

47.  Father and son, or more than two brothers, shall not serve on the same Mahamad, and—in either case—should both be elected, the one having the less number of votes shall retire in favour of the Yahid who shall have received, at the same election, the next largest number of votes.

48.  The election of members of the Executive and Mahamad—except for the filling up of vacancies—shall take place during the months of Nisan and Iyar in every year ; any or all the retiring members of the Mahamad shall be
eligible for re-election.

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49. No Yahid shall be eligible for the office of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, or Honorary Secretary, unless he shall have previously served at least twelve months in the Mahamad. The President, Vice-President and Treasurer shall not occupy their respective office longer than three consecutive years.

50. All Presidents shall be deemed ex-officio members of the Mahamad for one year immediately following their retirement.

51. The nomination and clection of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Honorary Secretary shall take place before the nomination and election of the Mahamad. Not less than two nominations shall be made for the office of President, Vice-President and Treasurer respectively. Three days prior to the annual election, the Secretary shall send to every elector, a list of the Yehidim nominated for the Executive and for Mahamad ; all voting shall be by ballot, and ballot papers shall be distributed to the voters at the meeting convened for the elections. A mark shall be placed by the voter against the name of the candidate for the respective office. Should more than one mark be placed against the name of any candidate, it shall invalidate the vote. Any list of candidates for the office of President, Vice-President, Treasurer or Honorary Secretary, having more than one marked, shall be considered null and void. Any list of candidates for the Mahamad, having more than six names marked, shall be considered nulland void. Voting by proxy shall not be allowable. In case of equality of votes, the presiding Chairman at that election shall have the casting vote. Printed notice of these laws shall be sent to every elector.

52. In the event of the resignation, disqualification or death of the President, the Vice-President shall, de facto, be considered elected to fill the same until the next annual
election. In the case of the Vice-President, Treasurer or Honorary Secretary, the Mahamad, at their first meeting shall elect another to fill the vacancy.

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53. In the event of the resignation, disqualification or death of a member of the Mahamad, the candidate who at the last annual election shall have had the highest number of
votes shall, de facto, be considered elected to fill the vacancy. Should there be two or more candidates with an equal number of votes, Goral (lottery) shall be resorted to, at the next meeting of the Mahamad.

54. The newly elected Executive and Mahamad shall be proclaimed by a Mi-Sheberach, on the Sabbath immediately preceding Shabuoth, and the newly elected Executive shall then take their seats of honour in the Synagogue.

55. The President shall convene and preside over all meetings of Yehudim, Mahamad and Executive, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Congregation. He shall act as Segan in the Synagogue from Rosh Hodesh Sivan to Rosh-Hodesh Kislev. He shall carry into effect all decisions duly arrived at by the Yehidim, Mahamad, or Executive. He shall submit to the Mahamad, at the earliest opportunity, all communications, etc., received by him referring to Congregational affairs. He shall sign as “ President,” the annual return of registers, the minutes of all meetings, and any other abstracts which may be required for official communications.

56. The Vice-President shall act as Segan from Rosh-Hodesh Kislev to Rosh-Hodesh Sivan. In the absence of the President, he shall fill the office in all capacities.

57. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys, etc., due and accruing to the Congregation. He shall receive from the Collector, not less than once a week, all monies and an account thereof, collected on behalf of the Congregation. He shall superintend the collector in every respect. He shall advance, if necessary, the sum of twenty pounds to the Congregation. He shall keep the banking account in the name of the Congregation, and deposit there such sums of money amounting to ten pounds and upwards; all cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President or Vice-President,

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He shall regulate the yearly expenditure of the Congregation, as voted by the Mahamad, and every month report to the Mahamad, the financial position of the Congregation.
He shall, at the meeting of the Mahamad, immediately following the 3lst day of March, submit a yearly Balance sheet, showing in detail, the income and expenditure, assets and liabilities, etc., up to March quarter. He shall submit to the Mahamad, at the earliest opportunity, all communications, etc., received by him concerning Congregational affairs. He shall, at all times, actin place of the President or Vice-President during their absence.

58. The Honorary Secretary shall attend all meetings of Duties of Yehidim, Mahamad and Executive; he shall superintend the Stipendiary Secretary in every respect. He shall conduct and
sign as ‘‘ Honorary Secretary ” the entire correspondence, etc., duly directed, connected with Congregational affairs. He shall submit to the Mahamad at the earliest opportunity, all
communications, etc., received by him concerning Congregational affairs. He shall at all times act in place of the Treasurer during his absence.

59. The Executive shall meet, and carry into effect all applications for religious Rites and Ceremonies, agreeably to the respective Laws.

60. The Mahamad shall control, carry into effect, Duties of despatch and enforce the entire affairs of the Congregation, in conformity with the several Laws, Rules, and Regulations thereof. They shall submit at the half-yearly meetings of the Yehidim a report of their proceedings, and at that of Iyar, a yearly Balance Sheet and Report, which shall be circulated
among the members three days previously. They shall, in case of any occasion arising unprovided for by the Laws of the Congregation, have the power to determine thereon temporarily, i.e., until the first meeting of Yehidim thereafter
shall sanction or reject the same. They shall have the power of taking into consideration any satisfactory reasons given by a member for his being in arrears, and arrange the matter as they deem equitable. They shall, on retiring from office,

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individually and collectively deliver to their successors all property, etc., of the Congregation in connection with the respective offices they shall have held.

61. An Honarary Solicitor to the Congregation shall be elected annually.

62. Two auditors—who shall be appointed by the Yehidim at their half-yearly meeting in Tishri, shall examine, audit, and sign—if correct, all accounts, balance sheets, etc., referring to Congregational affairs.

63. This Congregation shall be represented on the London Committee of Deputies of British Jews, in accordance with the laws of the said Committee governing the number of
representatives allowed, viz:—according to the number of members in the Congregation ; the election shall, in accordance with the constitution of the said Committee be a triennial
election. The nomination and election of Deputies who shall be Yehidim, shall take place at the same meetings at which the members of the Mahamad are nominated and elected.

They shall hold office for three years and be eligible for re-election on the expiration of their term of office. On the non-acceptance, resignation, or death of a Deputy, the Mahamad shall within two months of such vacancy occurring, summon a meeting of the Yehidim to nominate any Yahid or Yehidim, and at an interval not exceeding fourteen days from such nomination, a ballot shall be taken for the election of such Deputy or Deputies. Such Deputy or Deputies shall hold office until the next triennial election,

64. The Congregation may be represented on the Board of Shechita by three gentlemen to be chosen by the Yehidim from their body. Their nomination and election shall take place at the same annual meetings at which the members of
the Mahamad are nominated and elected. In the event of non-acceptance, resignation or death of a representative, the Mahamad shall be empowered to elect a Yahid to fill the vacancy, until the next annual election.

65. A Talmud Torah outside the Synagogue shall be provided, and be entirely maintained by the Congregation, and managed by the Mahamad.

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66.  Yehidim and seatholders shall be entitled to have their children taught in the Talmud Torah, upon payment of a fee of 10/6 per annum for each child in the infants’ class, and one guinea per annum, for each child in the other classes, but the maximum fee payable by each parent, shall not exceed two guineas per annum. Persons who are neither Yehidim nor seatholders may have their children taught in the Talmud Torah upon payment of an annual subscription of one guinea, in addition to the fees.  Fees shall be payable in advance.

67.  There shall be a Hebra in connection with the Synagogue, for the purpose of performing the last rites to the dead.  The President, Vice-President and Treasurer of the Congregation shall be respectively, President, Vice-President
and Treasurer of the Hebra.  A separate fund shall be kept and the monies collected in houses of mourning shall be added to the funds of the Hebra.

68.  The charge for graves shall be left to the discretion of the Mahamad, but in no case shall it be less than two guineas for an adult, or one guinea for a child under 13, but it shall not exceed ten guineas ; in the case of strangers, the charges shall not be less than five guineas and two guineas respectively, but it shall not exceed twenty-five guineas.  For stillborns the charge shall be 10/6.

All charges incurred for funerals shall be payable on demand, by the relatives, heirs, or personal representatives of the deceased.

All arrears due to the Synagogue must be paid prior to any interments taking place ; in cases where the said charges and arrears cannot be paid by the time specified, it shall be left to the Mahamad to use their discretion in the matter.

69.  Graves may be reserved for Yehidim and seatholders, on application to the Mahamad, by pre-payment of a sum of not less than three guineas each, but the number to be restricted to two graves.

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70.  The purchase of any reserved grave shall not entitle any person to be buried therein if, at the time of death, the said person be not a Yahid or seatholder of the Congregation, but widows whose husbands at the time of death were either
Yehidim or seatholders shall retain their former privilege, at the discretion of the Mahamad, even if they cease to rent seats in the Synagogue.

71.  Any contributor or member of his family who shall have renounced the Jewish Faith, shall forfeit all rights and privileges in connection with the Beth-Haim.

72.  All the immovable property and invested funds of the Congregation shall be vested in seven Trustees, such Trustees to be elected from the Yehidim of the Congregation who have been or are members of the Mahamad, at a meeting
of Yehidim convened specially for the purpose.  Should any vacancy occur, it shall be filled up by and from the Yehidim, at their meeting following a vacancy.

73.  Any resolution passed by the Mahamad and adopted by three-fourths of the Yehidim present at a General Meeting, and afterwards confirmed at a Special General Meeting of the Congregation, called for the purpose, shall be deemed to be a Special Resolution of the Congregation for the purposes of the Trustees.  At all General Meetings dealing with the real
property of the Congregation, a quorum shall consist of not less than twenty-five Yehidim.

74.  Any Yahid elected as a Trustee, shall hold such position subject to the conditions and regulations set forth in the Trust Deed.

75.  The aforementioned Laws, Rules, and Regulations may be abrogated, added to, or remitted, as the majority of Yehidim duly assembled shall resolve ; always excepting
Laws 1, 2, 3, 4, which are fundamental and irrevocable. A notice of any proposed alteration shall be posted in the vestibule of the Synagogue for at least fourteen days prior to the meeting to which the proposed alteration is to be submitted.

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16

FIXED SCALE OF FUNERAL CHARGES.
The following are the fixed scale of charges for funerals :—
£ s. d.
Hearse ....................................... 1 6 6
Mourning Coaches, 2 horse ............ 1 6 6 
,, ,, 1 ,, ............ 0 12 6 ,,
Plain Coffin ................................. 1 5 0
Shroud—Linen ........................... 0 1 1 per yd
 ,, Cotton ........................ 0 0 7 ,,
Tahara Board .............................. 0 3 6
Shamash, for Adult ........................ 1 0 0
 ,, ,, Child ........................ 0 10 0
Watcher, per day ........................ 0 5 0 each
 ,, ,, night ........................ 0 7 6 ,,
Grave Making, Adult ..................... 0 5 0
 ,, ,, Child ..................... 0 2 6
Registration Fee ........................... 0 1 0
Wax Candles .............................. 0 3 0 per 1b.
Sundry Expenses ........................ 0 3 0
Extra long distances will involve a corresponding increase, in these charges, and for funerals taking place on Sundays, an extra charge of 5/- each for Hearse and Coaches.

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17

TO THE MAHAMAD
OF THE
MANCHESTER CONGREGATION OF SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE
JEWS.

                                                       19  .   56.
Gentlemen,
        Being desirous of becoming a Seatholder of the Manchester Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews, I shall be obliged by your allotting me         seat in the Body of the Synagogue at
 £ : : per annum,
and seat in the Ladies' Gallery at
 £ : . per annum.

And I hereby undertake to pay to the Treasurer for the time being the Annual Rent of the Seat so to be allotted and also all voluntary offerings made by me, payable quarterly, and subject to giving Three Months' Notice from a quarter day
before leaving.

I also engage to submit to the Laws and Regulations existing in the Congregation, and such as may hereafter be adopted.

        Signed............................................

        Address...........................................

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