Jewish Draftees May Ask Local Draft Boards for Deferment During Passover

The National Jewish Welfare Board’s Commission on Jewish Chaplaincy has received an official communication from the director of the Selective Service System announcing that all draft boards have been requested to give “favorable consideration, wherever possible,” to requests of registrants of the Jewish faith for post pavements of physical examination or induction into the Armed Forces during Passover. This communication, addressed to Rabbi Edward T. Sandrow, spiritual leader of Temple Beth El. Cedarhurst, N.Y., and chairman of the JWB Commission on Jewish Chaplaincy, was a Selective Service Operations Bulletin entitled “Jewish Holy Days.” The bulletin gives Jewish registrants scheduled for physical examination or induction immediately prior to or during the holiday the right to request deferment until after Passover. Requests for such deferment should be made directly to local draft boards, the JWB stated.