THE
BANCA
As
in all Spanish-Portuguese synagogues, the BANCA is situated in the middle
of the northern wall. This raised, balustrades dais covered by a baldachin,
is the seat of the PARNASSIM, also known as the MAHAMAD, the DIRECTIVA,
or simply the Board.
In Mikvé Israel, the BANCA is made completely of mahogany. Judging from its architectural style, it is difficult to ascertain its exact age. None of its component parts bear any similarity to those of either the HEYCHAL or the THEBAH. Even its mahogany is of a lighter color wood than that of the other pieces of furniture in the SNOA. Especially intriguing, however, is its baldachin, which reveals a decidedly classical (Grecian) influence. Since many of the mansions in Scharloo were enriched at about the end of the nineteenth century with similar Grecian gables, one is tempted to believe that the present BANCA is of a much later date than either the HEYCHAL or the THEBAH.
The
four distinctive silver, pomegranate-shaped candleholders which enhance
the BANCA date back to 1750. They were donated by Ishac de Abraham de Marchena
and Ishac de Ishac de Marchena. If this BANCA is not from 1732, then these
must have graced an earlier BANCA standing on the same spot.
At
the time of the founding of the Congregation, the MAHAMAD consisted of
only three members: the 
Parnas-Presidente,
the Parnas (Vice-president) and the Gabai (Treasurer). In 1763, the MAHAMAD
numbered five members. But, in a Resolution of the Directors of the West
India Company (given in Amsterdam in 1771 at the petition of the congregation),
their number was again reduced to three. Today the DIRECTIVA consists of
seven members, which is also the maximum seating capacity of the BANCA
after removing two of the four arm-rests with the merger in 1964. The two
center ones remain; that is where the Parnas-Presidente sits.
Parnas-Presidente,
the Parnas (Vice-president) and the Gabai (Treasurer). In 1763, the MAHAMAD
numbered five members. But, in a Resolution of the Directors of the West
India Company (given in Amsterdam in 1771 at the petition of the congregation),
their number was again reduced to three. Today the DIRECTIVA consists of
seven members, which is also the maximum seating capacity of the BANCA
after removing two of the four arm-rests with the merger in 1964. The two
center ones remain; that is where the Parnas-Presidente sits.
By
present-day standards, the power and authority wielded by the early PARNASSIM,
is unbelievable. For relatively minor infractions or even a show of disrespect,
they could and did excommunicate members; for major ones they were assured
of the cooperation of the highest civil authorities to have them actually
expelled from the island! No one could even contradict the PARNASSIM without
incurring a fine! Their decision was final; the General Assembly of the
membership being empowered only to discuss the financial administration
and the political government of the Congregation.
There
has always been some kind of an advisory and controlling Council in existence:
the CONSEJO or ADJUNTOS nowadays called the CONSEJO DE ANCIANOS (Elders).
This Council, however, was not empowered to counteract any decision of
the PARNASSIM; it acted mostly in a restraining and counseling capacity.
Nowadays, the CONSEJO DE ANCIANOS is composed of all members who, at one
time or another, have served in the DIRECTIVA for a minimum of two consecutive
years.
Although
the power of the PARNASSIM was autocratic, it was duly based on law. The
rights and obligations of the PARNASSIM were set down in detail in the
HASCAMOTH (the Regulations of the Congregation). There do not seem to have
been any privileges befalling the PARNASSIM, other than the honor of being
one. Yet, their immense power must have created an equally heavy responsibility
because, from its earliest years, the Congregation was hard put to find
capable members willing to accept the position of PARNAS. In fact, as far
back as the seventeenth century, a fine had to be introduced to be paid
by any member refusing the honor of being nominated to the MAHAMAD. This
custom remained in force until the merger with Temple Emanu-Él in
1964. In their monumental History, I. and S. Emmanuel cite numerous cases
where, throughout the 300 years of its existence, the MAHAMAD had clearly
abused its vast powers. Nonetheless, despite all its shortcomings, it cannot
be denied that the authority wielded by the PARNASSIM undoubtedly exerted
a positive, stabilizing and constructive influence on the growth and development
of the Congregation. It also largely contributed towards the preservation
of the Spanish-Portuguese Sephardic Jewish heritage of Mikvé Israel-Emanuel
(CGC).
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Heychal | Benches
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