Israelis Celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Send Messages to Pair in Damascus

Israelis celebrated the Rosh Hashanah holiday under sunny skies and in relative quiet. The manner in which the New Year was ushered in varied among individuals, each celebrating according to his beliefs and inclinations.

Orthodox Jews gathered at river banks and on the sea-shore to perform the ancient rite of “tashlich,” the casting away of sins on the waters. Nearby thousands of family groups swam, sun-bathed and picnicked, obviously grateful for the respite from hard work and daily tension. Prayer services were held at Army camps and outposts from the Golan Heights to Sharm el-Sheikh conducted by Army chaplains. But soldiers in many posts were surprised and delighted by unexpected entertainment by some of the country’s top artists of stage and screen. The actress, Hanna Rovina, widely known as the First Lady of the Israeli theater, combined her thespian talents with piety when she recited Psalms to troops in front-line bunkers. “Its a wonderful Army,” she said afterwards. “Where else could you read Psalms to soldiers and get applause?”

Two Israeli nationals held prisoner in Syria since their TWA airliner was hijacked to Damascus Aug. 29 were not forgotten. New Year greetings were sent through the International Red Cross to Prof. Shlomo Samueloff of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School and Salah Muallem, a travel agency employe. The message said, “The thoughts of all citizens of Israel are with you. We shall not tire in our efforts until you are released.” Foreign Ministry sources would not elaborate on the action being taken to secure the release of the two men. They said only that contacts were continuing with many governments, including the United States, and with international organizations.