WHEREFORE was last Friday night distinguished from all other nights on Ellis Island?
ON any other night the Jewish immigrants and deportees eat their meals alone, but on this first night of Passover, 200 friends and members of HIAS came to join them.
ALL other nights there are usually many more Jewish immigrants on Ellis Island, but on that night most of their had been discharged so that they might gather in the homes of their relatives.
ALL other nights the immigrants eat common food and drink water, either sitting or reclining, but on that night they all reclined and drank wine and ate roast chicken.
“Because,” answered William Neubau, representative of HIAS on Ellis Island, “it has been traditional for the past thirty years to invite loyal friends and members to spend the first Seder on the Islan…”
“AND to give the immigrants and deportees who are detained here good cheer on this holy night.
“AND no matter whether there is one immigrant or hundreds of them, the custom is still retained.
“AND the friends and members who come here help to provide for the food and drinks, out of a sentimental remembrance for their own first landing in America.
WHAT SAITH?
What saith then the wise reader? He asks: What did the company there? And what were the festivities
Then shall the reporter instruct him….
Long tables decked, a mighty room flanked by white brick walls. The atmosphere was redolent of disinfectant. Two immigrants, husband and wife, eight deportees, all men, and four sick seamen dressed in bathrobes, occupied a table for themselves, Spread upon these boards was food galore. Flowers and plants lent a gala note to the occasion, Hardboiled eggs, matzoths, fruit and nuts gave promise of the sacred ritual to come.
Cantor Morris Gottlieb intoned the kiddush. Walter Neuban, ten year old son of William Neubau asked the four questions. Flashlight bombs threatened the composure of the guests. The Hagadah followed next on the program. The folks then fell to and in short order disposed of the meal. The jollity between guests and immigrants increased proportionately as the wine decreased. Mr. Neubau ran frantically hither and you, like a distraught chicken watching its scattering brood.
FAVORS IN ABUNDANCE
How many were the abundant favors that the HIAS performed that night for both immigrants and guests!
IF they had brought the quests to the Island on a special ferry boat and had not given them an excellent supper, it would have been sufficient. IF they had given them an excellent supper, and had not provided speeches it would have been sufficient. IF they had provided speeches and had not supplied entertainment, it would have been sufficient. IF they had supplied entertainment and had not early in the evening, it would have been a calamity! For towards ten-thirty o’clock, both immigrants and guests were fast becoming drowsy. Good wine and better food were having their usual effects.
SPEECHES TOO
Speeches by William Neubau, viewing the work of the HIAS; Mrs. Blanche Goldman, of the National Council of Jewish Women, calling America the threshold of freedom; Sol Polakoff, chairman of HIAS, recalling his first landing on Ellis Island, and Jacob Massel, vice president, on Jewish leadership, aroused cheers and applause Entertainment by Rose Wallen-stein, Philip Leshkausky, Oscar Ostrow, Joseph Schoenkopf, William Faybaum and Paul Baratoff filled the cup of joy to overflowing.
At ten thirty the tired immigrants retired and the jubilant guests made their way to the ferry landing. They were bound for America again! They thanked, praised, lauded, glorified and extolled HIAS. The organization had wined and dined them royally, and had been both gracious and kind to the lonely immigrants on this sacred night.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
