Memorial services, opening a six-week period of mourning for the Jewish victims in Nazi Europe, were held today in many synagogues throughout the country in accordance with a call issued by the Synagogue Council of America which represents Conservative, Orthodox and Reform Jewry in America – both rabbis and congregations.
A special prayer, distributed by the Council to synagogues in all parts of the country, was delivered during the services. A call issued by the Council to all Jews in the United States urges that the six-week period of mourning be observed by limiting the occasions of amusement during this season; by keeping Mondays and Thursdays as partial fast days; by contributing generously to the United Jewish Appeal, which is engaged in rescue work; by reciting special prayers and observing moments of silence at home and in all public gatherings; by attending synagogues frequently and calling special assemblies, in order to demonstrate the stake of humanity and religion in the salvation of Europe’s Jews, and by acting in every way to converge the religious opinion of America to the necessity for prompt action.
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