In an unprecedented action, the Synagogue Council of America has called on synagogues throughout the nation to hold silent public processions on Yom Kippur as a “prayerful expression of solidarity with Jews in the Soviet Union.” The action was announced by Rabbi Irving Lehrman of Miami Beach, the Council’s president. This is the first time that worshippers will leave the synagogue, according to Rabbi Henry Siegman, executive vice-president of the Council.
The Council’s action called for “a solemn procession of worshippers” from inside the sanctuary to an appropriate public location outside the synagogue. It urged that this expression of solidarity with Jews in the Soviet Union “be entirely in keeping with the holiness and solemnity of the day.” Rabbi Lehrman stated that this departure from ancient tradition on this holiest day of the year is itself of profound religious significance.” The organizations that have joined in this action are Central Conference of American Rabbis, Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbinical Council of America, Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and United Synagogue of America.
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