Thousands of Jewish Servicemen in Canada, Alaska, Labrador Observe Passover

The thousands of Jewish servicemen in the armed forces of Canada and in allied forces stationed in the dominion were provided with complete facilities to enable them to observe Passover to the fullest extent allowed by the exigencies of military service, it was announced here today by Harry R. Moscoe of the War Efforts Committee of Canadian Jewish Congress.

The headquarters of the Canadian armed services arranged for leave for all Jewish men for the first two days and the last two days of the holiday and the official orders issued by headquarters referred men desirous of hospitality and accommodation to the Canadian Jewish Congress offices and committees across Canada. Netherlands, Belgium and Polish military authorities in Canada were also offered the facilities of the Canadian Jewish Congress for their Jewish servicemen.

The Congress committees, with the full cooperation of Capt. Samuel Cass and Flight Lieutenant Jacob Eisen who head the Jewish chaplains in Canada, and all the rabbis in the Dominion, carried out an extensive program of hospitality for the Jewish men on Passover leave. Those who did not have time to reach their homes for the holiday were provided with accommodation, meals and sedorim. In certain cases, where arrangements could be made with the nearby military camps, meals are being provided for men in service for the intermediate days of the holiday as well as for the days of rest and prayer. Invitations were extended to the Jewish servicemen by the major synagogues of Canada.

Community sedorim and services were held in the coastal ports where large numbers of Jewish men are stationed through the efforts of the Jewish chaplains of the services. Every Jewish serviceman stationed overseas, in Alaska, Labrador, and in isolated areas of Canada and Newfoundland, or in Canadian military hospitals, received a special Passover hamper containing matzoth, kosher salami, a Jewish calendar as well as other little luxuries not included in official rations and issue. In addition matzoths were sent overseas to the Jewish chaplain with the Canadian Expedition Force, Captain S. Gershon Levi.