Jews throughout the world ushered in the New Year 5718 at sundown today with Rosh Hashanah services. Messages by Jewish leaders stressed achievements in Jewish life during 5717 as well as the tasks for the New Year.
William Rosenwald, general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, released a message from David Ben Gurion, Israel Premier, expressing thanks to American Jewry for helping Israel and expressing confidence that “utmost and immediate aid” would be forthcoming through the UJA to cope with “an unabating tide of newcomers in the coming months.”
In transmitting the message from Israel, Mr. Rosenwald hailed the Jews of this country for the aid they gave last year, and said: “The officers and leaders of the United Jewish Appeal solemnly rededicate themselves to the tasks which lie ahead. The challenges we face are very serious ones. They literally involve the fate of hundreds of thousands of Jewish men, women and children living in extreme danger and poverty. But there is no problem in human affairs which cannot be solved through the kind of devotion, zeal and energy that made the year 5717 a pinnacle in Jewish history.”
Edward M. M. Warburg, greeting American Jewry on behalf of the Joint Distribution Committee, said he is proud to transmit greetings to Jewish communities throughout the United States also “on behalf of hundreds of thousands of Jews overseas who are able to celebrate this New Year with confidence and rejoicing because of the aid which American Jews have provided.”
Herbert R. Abeles, president of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, pointed out in his message that the federations and welfare funds have provided $150, 000,000 in the last twelve months and that every facet of Jewish life has been enriched during that period.
“A haven has been provided the homeless–tens of thousands rescued and resettled wherever in the world they could go–mainly to Israel, ” Mr. Abeles stated.”To the sick in body and spirit have come healing and rehabilitation; to the idle has been given work and usefulness. The spiritual font of American Judaism has been replenished through strengthening of religious institutions and schools. Human rights have been fortified for all people of all faiths. Our Jewish hospitals have pushed forward the frontiers of medical knowledge–and pushed back the ravages of disease. Our family agencies have healed rifts, between parents–and between parents and children–have strengthened the bonds of family, the real bond of Jewish life.”
CHALLENGE TO U. S. JEWRY STRESSED; VIGILANCE AGAINST BIGOTRY URGED
Abraham Feinberg president of the Israel Bond Organization, said: “The year 5718 opens with a challenge to American Jewry to hasten its efforts in behalf of the economic absorption of this new flow of immigrants to Israel. The newcomers must have homes and jobs, so that they can become self-supporting and productive citizens of the country For this vital purpose, there is no substitute for State of Israel Development Bonds, which must provide a large proportion of the funds needed for immigrant housing and absorption.”
Dewey D.Stone, national chairman of the United Israel Appeal, expressed hope that the new year “may be a year of peace for all mankind and that Israel, during this year may be able to consolidate her achievements in every field and to create homes and employment opportunities for the tens of thousands who are waiting to come to her shores. We are confident that American Jews will continue to participate in this great humanitarian work of rescue and rehabilitation with the same dedication and generosity they have shown in the past. “
Irving M.Engel, president of the American Jewish Committee, in his Rosh Hasha, message said that ”as Jews, we feel a warm concern for the welfare of the people in Israel” while ‘as Americans dedicating ourselves to democracy, we have an abiding interest in the development of the democratic state in the Middle East.” He stressed that one of the most compelling problems in the year ahead is “the achievement of enduring peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Mr. Engel urged that Americans redouble their efforts “to make possible the open of new havens for innocent victims of tyrannies which violate the fundamental rights inherent in the individual. ” He also stressed that efforts must be intensified “to preserve a national climate conducive to the protection of civil and religious rights. ” At the same time, he underscored the importance of vigilance “against the injection of anti-Semitic into pro-segregationist propaganda.
David L. Ullman, chairman of the National Community Relations Advisory Council, pointed out in his message that the closing year “was a year in which covert anti-Semi was confined to disreputable and crackpot elements and in which discrimination against Jews in employment, in education, in housing–while it continued–became increasing furtive and oblique. ” At the same time, he emphasized that the new year will bring its challenges and its problems, as every year does.”Far as we have progressed toward the safeguarding of the rights of all in our democratic society, we have yet many barriers to break down, many obstacles to overcome, “he stated.
HOPE FOR ADMISSION OF MORE JEWISH IMMIGRANTS TO U.S.SEEN
Murray I, Gurfein, chairman of the United Hias Service executive committee, point out in his message that as a result of the “stop-gap” immigration legislation passed by Congress this last session “some of those who wait abroad for relief and aid may now that they can come to the United States in the near future. ” Several hundred recent Jews immigrants, including recent escapees from Hungary, will observe the High Holy Days services conducted by United Hias in its own synagogue here.
Dr. William Haber, president of the American ORT Federation, in his holiday message, noted that ORT was retraining refugees, DP’s and recent immigrants in 19 countries, including Israel. In North Africa, he pointed out, ORT’s programs have a new significance this year since improvement in the way of life of Jews in these backward countries “is no longer solely a humanitarian effort, but has become a necessary condition for their very existence.”
The president of the National Council of Jewish Women, Mrs. Moise S.Cahn, hiss a holiday message which called on American Jewry to pray that no Jews in lands abroad will be refugees during the coming year, and that the dangers that threaten Israel will be replaced by conditions of safety so that her people may fulfill their bright promised Mrs. Chaya Surchin president of the Pioneer Women, released a similar message,
American Jewish religious organizations also extended New Year’s greetings to the Jewish community. Messages were issued by the Synagogue Council of America; Union of American Hebrew Congregations; Central Conference of American Rabbis; United Synagogue of America; Rabbinical Council of America; New York Board of Rabbis; Young Israel and other religious groups.
Dr. Everett R. Clinchy, president of the National Conference of Christians and Jew in a message to American Jews on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah expressed the hope good will and understanding for Jews here and abroad.”Education will guide the grow of peoples into channels of good will so that they will enjoy the advantages of a nuclei age, “he declared.
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