Jewish leaders today issued instructions governing the conduct of Jews during the high Holy Days which open with celebration of the Jewish New Year starting at sundown tomorrow
The orders, designed to avoid unpleasant incidents, coincide with preparations by the authorities to increase police guards around synagogues with the view of preventing possible provocations resulting from increased anti-Jewish feeling stimulated by speeches at the Nazi Congress at Nuremberg.
The orders caution Jews against dressing conspicuously, and advise residents of Berlin particularly not to wear top hats to avoid attracting attention.
Jews are instructed to leave the synagogues without delay and are advised not to congregate in the streets following the services.
For the first time in German-Jewish history, worshippers are advised against bringing children to the services.
Jewish merchants are urged to close their shops for the holidays, “in order to display their solidarity.”
All seats in more than thirty synagogues and temporary houses of worship were sold out for tomorrow night’s opening New Year services.
Many who came from the provinces to attend the services in Berlin, fearing they would not be safe in the small towns, have been unable to obtain seats.
The Jewish community of Saarbrucken issued an appeal to Jews to celebrate the New Year quietly within the walls of their synagogues and homes. The appeal cautions children against congregating in the streets following the services.
Owners of a number of halls in Berlin customarily hired for overflow services of synagogues are refusing to lease them to Jews this year, it was learned.
The Federation of Jewish communities reported that the smallest number of synagogues in decades would hold holiday rites this year, partly because of emigration of many Jews and partly because of migration from towns to larger centers.
In a circular to all Jewish communities, the Federation asked that synagogues be maintained “even at the greatness sacrifice,” except where it became necessary to abandon them as a last resort.
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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.
