The National Jewish Welfare Board’s (JWB) Commission on Jewish Chaplaincy has been officially advised by the Selective Service Commission that all draft boards have been asked to give “favorable consideration, whenever possible” to requests from Jewish registrants for postponement of their physical examination or induction into the Armed Forces during the coming Jewish High Holy Days. This official word was received by Rabbi Edward T. Sandrow, spiritual leader of Temple Beth El. Cedarhurst, N.Y., and Commission Chairman, from Dr. Curtis W. Tarr, the Director of Selective Service, in the form of Operations Bulletin No. 81, as amended and addressed to draft boards throughout the country. Bulletin No. 81 applies to Rosh Hashanah (Oct. 1 and 2), the Jewish New Year; Yom Kippur (Oct. 10), the Day of Atonement, and Sukkot (Oct. 15-23), the Feast of Tabernacles. Since all the Holy Days commence at sundown of the day previous to these dates, Bulletin No. 81 states that “normally, the registrant’s physical examination or induction should be postponed to a date following the religious holiday involved.”
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