For the first time in nearly 1,900 years, Jews in Israel celebrated Passover in, their own independent country. Throughout Israel, tens of thousands of Jews made the traditional Seder service joyous celebrations.
Heavy rains, which had fallen all over the country ceased toward evening as the holiday started and the weather became clear, but cold. In this city thousands of Israeli soldiers on leave were guests in private homes. The Histadrut held a giant Seder service in Tel Aviv’s largest theater with several members of the Cabinet and the Knesseth in attendance.
The most unique Seder service was held in the town of Beersheba in the Negev, where Abraham Harzfeld, veteran pioneer and agricultural expert who is known as "the father of Settlements," officiated.
Except for Jerusalem, where winter is still felt in full force with strong, cold winds bringing heavy rain and hail, every Israeli village, town and collective settlement is overcrowded with guests from abroad and pilgrims from other parts of the country.
A mood of festival prevails. Pilgrimages to Jerusalem are being arranged. Flares were kindled on Mount Scopus for the second Passover evening, by the 85 Jewish police and 33 members of the Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital staffs stationed there.
Many American tourists in Israel attended second Seder services in Jerusalem last night while hundreds of Jewish soldiers from abroad serving in the Israeli armed services held second Seders in their respective units.
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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.
