American Occupation Chiefs Join Displaced Jews in Services on Closing Day of Passover

In a clean, freshly-painted, barracks-type mess hall at the Duppel camp for displaced Jews, Ambassador Robert Murphy, political advisor to the American occupation forces, and Lt. Gen. Lucius Clay, chief of the military government in the American zone of Germany, joined an overflow crowd of Jewish DP’s, and military and civilian personnel stationed here in observance of the closing day of the Passover holiday.

The two American officials, who joined the services at the beginning of the Torah reading and stayed until the end of Yiskor, memorial prayers for the dead, delivered brief addresses. They exhibited interest throughout the services conducted by Chaplain Joseph Shubow, and constantly questioned Chaplain Herbert Friedman, who explained the ceremony.

Both were obviously moved during Yiskor when hundreds of Jews wept for thousands of their lost relatives. Every one of the camp’s 1,300 residents, including children of all ages, recited the traditional prayers for the dead. Hundreds of lighted candles lined the walls and windows of the “synagogue.”

Speaking slowly, a few sentences at a time, while Chaplain Shubow translated his words into Yiddish, Ambassador Murphy told the Jewish DP’s and American personnel that it was a great honor to attend services for the heroic Jewish dead. “I also wish to say to you that you have friends in the United States who wish to help you make a better life and future,” he said.

Gen. Clay declared that he wished to emphasize Murphy’s statement that the displaced Jews have friends in American, and added “you who have suffered so much have earned the right to the friendship of all free peoples of the world.” He said that the American Army was proud to have helped free them, and asked the assemblage to join him in prayer that freedom of worship might always exist.