The Jews of Paris marked the second observance of Rosh Hashonah since their liberation, this week-end, but the general feeling was one of mourning rather than rejoicing. The presence in the synagogues of numerous Allied soldiers and the absence of thousands who used to come there to worship before the war told the story of the tragedy of French Jewry, which was decinated by Nazi deportations.
Despite a capacity attendance of 4,000 at the U.S. Army services held in the Palais Chaillot, one of Paris’ finest halls, many American Jewish soldiers came to local synagogues, and in the famous Rothschild Synagogue at least twenty percent of the worshippers were G.I. ‘s. Soldiers and officers of the French, Czechoslovak, British and Polish-armies also attended, as did troops of the Jewish Brigade.
The Rothschild Synagogue was full, but the congregation did not overflow onto the sidewalk as was the case before the Germans came. The orthodox synagogue on the Rue Pavee, in the heart of the Jewish section, which was usually teeming with worshippers before the war was not even filled to capacity.
American soldiers outside of Paris also had an opportunity to attend services. At the huge U.S. recreation center on the Riviera services were held in the large casino theatre in Nice. Jewish troops from all points in the recreation area were brought to the theatre in army vehicles.
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.
