Furloughs for Jewish soldiers and sailors in the United States army and navy were granted in orders issued by the Secretary of War and the Bureau of Navigation of the Navy Department, according to an announcement issued by the Jewish Welfare Board, Army and Navy Committee, of which Dr. Cyrus Adler is chairman.
The following order was issued by the Secretary of War: “The Secretary of War desires, in order to permit soldiers of the Jewish faith to participate in the celebration of Passover, that furloughs be granted to members of that faith for such time as necessary to permit them to be at their homes, when practicable, or at places where Seder celebrations are held from noon, April 23, 1929, until midnight, April 27, 1929, provided no interference with the public service is occasioned thereby.
“Matzoth (unleavened bread) and Haggadahs (prayer books for the Seder service) will be distributed by the Jewish Welfare Board. Commanding officers will lend assistance to and cooperate with representatives of this Board in such distribution.”
The Bureau of Navigation of the Navy Department has issued a similar order to all ships and stations granting leave to men of the Jewish faith from noon of Tuesday, April 23rd. to midnight of Saturday, April 27th, with such additional travel time as may be necessary. The order also stated: “The Jewish Welfare Board will furnish special prayer books for the Seder services and unleavened bread to men of the Jewish faith for the eight days of Passover: and Commanding Officers are directed to cooperate in facilitating the distribution of these supplies to men of Jewish faith under their command.”
There is also a standing order of the United States Veterans Bureau, granting leave of absence for Passover to Jewish disabled veterans who are in a physical condition to travel. The Jewish Welfare Board will arrange for personal visits and other services for those who remain in the hospitals.
Men in the service who are unable to go home for the holiday will be accommodated by the Jewish Welfare Board in communities adjoining the camps, naval stations, and hospitals. Arrangements have been made for religious services, Sedarim and meals and lodgings during this period at all such posts, including the Panama Canal Zone, Hawaii. and the Philippines.
Estelle M. Stemberger. Executive Secretary of the Natural Council of Jewish Woman, who is on a benzol tour among state and local Council bodies in the middle west and southwest, spoke in St. Louis, under the auspices of the Education Committee of the local section. Subscriptions to the special budgetary frond of the National Council of Jewish Women were secured by the national secretary.
On Sunday evening, April 7th, Mrs. Stemberger will be the chief speaker at the opening banquet of the Texas State Conference of Council Sections, which will hold its annual meeting at Corsicana.
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.
