The 350 members of a United Jewish Appeal study mission climbed to the top of the Masada Mountain stronghold in 100 degree heat to pray for peace and to pledge themselves to support modern Israel in memory of the 960 men, women and children who took their own lives 2,000 years ago rather than submit to slavery.
“Grant us peace, thy most precious gift, Thou eternal source of peace and enable Israel to be its messenger unto the people of the earth,” the American Jewish leaders recited. The group was led by Edward Ginsberg of Cleveland, UJA general chairman. The group also recited “Masada shall not fall again.”
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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.