Synagogues throughout the country-Orthodox, Conservative and Reform-will observe tomorrow the 450th anniversary of the discovery of America by services of thanksgiving and by reading a special declaration prepared by the Synagogue Council of America.
”The opening up of the new continent has spelled solace for generations of Jews,” the declaration says. “the declaration says.”Following the wake of Columbus, Jewish exiles together with others have escaped westwards across the Atlantic Ocean to find in America a new life of physical and spiritual freedom. They have found here a rebirth of hope, far from the oppression and cruelty which had been their birthright in many parts of Europe, More especially in the United States of America, since that day 288 years ago when the first handful of Jews landed in New Amsterdam in flight from the threat of religious intolerance, up to the most recent chapter which is one of the most tragic in Israel’s tragedy-laden history, these United States have been a blessed loving mother to untold myriads of the ”tribe of the wandering foot and weary breast.”
The principal celebration of the Synagogue Council of America will be held in New York at the oldest Congregation in America, the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation, Shearith Israel.
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