Synagogue are public halls converted into synagogues were crowded all over Israel during the Rosh Hasnanah services, with President Ishak Ben Zvi attending the services in the Rehavia Synagogue here. The only Reform congregation here had 120 worshippers. Women were also called to the Torah in the Reform synagogue and the sermon on the second day of the holiday was delivered by a woman.
Many Israelis in Negev settlements ushered in the new year in new homes which were rushed to completion in the last few days before the holiday. Celebrations were held on the eve of Rosh Hashanah in Shderot and Ofakin, Negev urban centers, to mark the completion of housing for families who had previously lived in tents and cottages in malabarot.
Professor Abraham Kosuji of Japan who came to Israel last month to complete his conversion to Judaism, attended synagogue services in Jerusalem. A special prayer was offered in his presence for the Japanese Emperor.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
