 The congregation was also marked by public controversies and factionalism . In January 1887 , during a heated discussion at a congregational business meeting , one member addressed two others with the informal German " du " ( rather than the formal " Sie " ) , which was considered impolite . Despite attempts by then @-@ rabbi <unk> to intervene , the two men beat the first , knocked him to the ground , and " trampled upon " him . The two men were subsequently charged with " assault in the third degree " . 
