Thousands of Jews in New York and in other American cities today joined in the world-wide "Day of Fasting and Prayer" called to ask Divine intercession for a speedy victory of the United Nations and for an end to the terror against Jews in Nazi-held Europe.
In the synagogues, the fasting Jews in their prayers followed a modified version of the Day of Atonement ritual. As on the solemn day of Yom Kippur, the Shofar was blown. Many of the more pious Jews closed their places of business for the day.
The call for the fast day initially issued by the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada was subsequently approved by the chief rabbis of Palestine and of England. In Palestine, according to word received here, there was general response of the population to the call to fast. The rabbis also appealed to the Russian Jews to join in the fast.
In a statement issued by leading orthodox rabbis in America, it was urged that the day would be appropriate for a consideration of the laxity in religion to which American Israel, it was said, is prone, with the view of a stricter return to the tenets of the faith, especially of the observance of the Sabbath.
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