Furloughs will be granted to Jewish men in the U. S. Army and Navy, and to disabled veterans whose physical condition permits, for the observance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to information made public by the Jewish Welfare Board.
The order of the Secretary of War stated: “The Secretary of War desires, in order to permit soldiers of the Jewish faith to participate in the celebration of High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah), beginning at sundown, Monday, September 26, 1927, and of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), beginning at sundown, Wednesday, October 5, 1927, and continuing until sundown, Thursday, October 6, 1927, that members of that faith be granted furloughs for such time as necessary to permit them to be at their homes, when practicable, or at places where these celebrations are held, from noon of September 25 to noon of September 30. 1927, and from the evening of October 4 to noon of October 8, 1927, provided no interference with the public service is occasioned thereby.”
The order issued by the Navy Department, Bureau of Navigation, to all the ships and stations reads:
“In order to permit observance of the High Holy Days, including the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), commanding officers will grant leave when the exigencies of the service permit to men of the Jewish faith from noon of September 25th until noon of September 30th, and from evening of October 4th until noon of October 8th, 1927.”
The U. S. Veterans Bureau has had a standing order since 1925, which is as follows:
“At the request of the Jewish Welfare Board and in accordance with established policy and practice, beneficiaries of the Jewish faith whose physical condition permits will be granted passes to participate in the celebration of High Holy Day, including the Passover (covering the Seder Days). the New Year (Rosh Hahanah), and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).”
Those orders will make it possible for a considerable number of soldiers and sailors to observe the High Holy Days with their families at home. The Jewish Welfare Board will arrange for hospitality, including religious service, meals, and lodging, in communities where men residing at a considerable distance from their posts are not able to leave for their homes. There will be special provision for disabled men unable to leave their beds.
The Board’s representatives are arranging for the observance of the High Holy Days at outlying points, including China, Manila. Hawaii, Panama, and Haiti.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
