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First Holy Scroll and Ark Dedicated in Puerto Rico by Jewish Army Chaplain

July 26, 1944
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Maj. Sidney E. Unger, Jewish chaplain of the Antilles Department, this week dedicated the first Jewish ark and scroll in Puerto Rico at the Ateneo, a cultural center of the island. About 100 Jewish servicemen attended.

Services have been conducted at the Ateneo every Friday night for a year and a half, but without religious equipment. Maj. Unger is planning to light a perpetual flame this week.

Also present at the ceremony were Lt. Col. Noah Sheppard, U.S.A. (Ret.), head of the Jewish community here, and Capt. William Kirkpatrick, army Catholic chaplain. The ark was built by the army. Maj. Unger was assistant rabbi of the Congregation Rodeph Shalom of Philadelphia, and previously rabbi of Temple Judea of the same city.

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