Conduct Jewish Religious Services on Atlantic Liners

The holding of Jewish religious services on trans-Atlantic steamers, one of the Summer projects of the Department of Synagogue and School Extension, is gaining in popularity, according to reports recently received from Rabbi Louis Egelson, assistant director of the department; Rabbi Isaac Marcuson of Macon, Ga., and Dr. Rudolph I. Coffee of Oakland, Cal.

Rabbi Marcuson, writing from on board the S. S. California, declared that the services recently conducted on the ship on a Saturday morning drew such a large crowd that many had to stand throughout the service. Dr. Coffee, who sailed for Europe recently on the S. S. Tuscania, preached on the significance of Plymouth in religious history, as the ship was approaching Plymouth, England.

“Reciprocating the courtesy of the Christian ministers, I read the Bible selection Sunday night at their religious service,” writes Rabbi Coffee. “I am convinced that such reciprocal courtesies make for better understanding between the religious groups.”