Moscow Jewish Community Joins in Fast Day Proclaimed by Chief Rabbinate of Palestine

For the first time since the Soviet Revolution, the Jews of the USSR will join world Jewry in a fast day proclaimed by the Palestine Rabbinate.

At a rabbinical conclave held here today under the auspices of the Chief Rabbinate, it was announced that a telegram has been received from the Moscow Orthodox Jewish Community stating that it will proclaim March 14 as a jewish Fast Day, thereby joining the Jews of the rest of the world in commemorating the memory of the Jewish communities annihilated by the Germans and of the millions of Jews massacred by them.

Jews in the United States, England and other countries will also observe March 14 as a day of faxting, in accordance with the proclamation issued by the Chief Rabbinate here. A monument will be erected on that day in the Mount of Olives cemetery honoring the memory of the millions of Jews killed by the Nazis in European countries.

Today’s conclave, called in connection with the Day of Mourning, was held in the oldest house of worship in Jerusalem situated in the Old City and known as Rabbi Yehudah He ‘Chassid’ s Synagogue. A solemn service marked the opening of the gathering at which aged and venerable rabbis wept like children, sitting on the floor and reciting Lamentations and other prayers. Chief Rabbi Herzog, opening the conclave, appealed to the world to save the remnants of the Jews of Europe and to open the gates of Palestine for unrestricted Jewish immigration.

The assembly concluded with the blowing of the Shefar and with Kaddish for the millions of murdered Jews. Then the rabbis marched to the Wailing Wall where evening prayers were recited.