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Darmstadt Jews, Terrorized, Not to Attend Synagogues for Yom Kippur Rites

September 29, 1933
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Not a single Jew will go to a synagogue on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, in Darmstadt, Hesse, and neighboring towns, in view of the sudden wave of terroristic acts against the Jews, which were resumed in the last few days, and which are reminiscent of the early days of the Nazi assumption of power.

The Jewish population is terrified. Windows in Jewish houses have been smashed with stones, and the other attacks against the Jews which have repeatedly occurred, bear an organized mass character.

In Berlin itself a quiet Yom Kippur is expected, but special police will be posted outside the Berlin Kunstler Theater (Art Theater) to prevent possible anti-Jewish demonstrations, since the operetta, “The Charming Girl”, opens there tomorrow night with a Jewish actor, Max Hansem, playing the leading role.

IS DANISH CITIZEN

In an official communique in today’s press, the police notified the public than Herr Hansem is a Danish citizen, therefore obstructions against him will not be tolerated. Recently he appeared in a film, “The Ugly Girl.” When the film was shown at the Atrium Theater in Berlin, serious disturbances occurred, the crowd forcing the discontinuance of the film, because a Jewish actor appeared in it.

A Yom Kippur call to the German Jews to unite was issued today by the recently-formed Federal Representation of Jewish Provincial Organizations of Germany, in which the four largest German-Jewish organizations are represented, under the signature of Rabbi Leo Baeck and the other eight members of the executive committee.

TIME REQUIRES UNITY

The message declares that this is no time for individual wishes to dominate German-Jewish life, but cognizance must be taken of the fact that “the life and future of the German Jews depends on unity.” Jewish employers and employees are urged to unite, the Yom Kippur call stressing the necessity to increase the number of Jewish schools in order to prepare the Jewish youth for Palestine.

The hope is expressed that the German government will show understanding of the Jewish problems and that the Jews abroad will increase their relief activities.

“May a new existence emerge for the German Jews from the present suffering,” the appeal concludes.

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