The Jews of Bucharest crowded into 60 synagogues today and yesterday to hear rabbis review the tragedy of the Jews of Europe and mourn the heavy losses suffered by Rumanian Jewry, at the same time that they offered thanks for the defeat of the Nazis.
Meals for homeless Jews were served in refugee centers. Social welfare agencies attempted to help the destitute celebrate the holiday, but the assistance required was so vast, especially in Moldavia and Bukovina, that in many cases it was impossible to aid all who were needy. In parts of Rumania, such as Transylvania, where all synagogues were destroyed the New Year was observed at services in private homes.
Many rabbis devoted their sermons to appealing for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The Keren Kayemeth proclaimed a special appeal and the newspaper Manturea, organ of the Jewish Party, published a Rosh Hashonah supplement in Hebrew devoted to Palestine.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
