Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-26
HEBREW FAST DAY
Feast of Yom Kippur Celebrated at
the New Temple.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE DEAD
Mr.. Simon WoIfs Earnest and
EuIogistic Address.
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

,rhe handsome new Washington Hebrew
Temple on Sth street between H and L
streets northwest was the scene today of
the most impressive and beautiful of the
feasts in the Hebrew calendar. that of
Yom Kippur or the Day OF Atonement. A
brilliant address by Mr.. Simon Wolf and
the memorial services for the dead were
the distinctive features Of the days events.
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Sabbath Of
Sabbaths. the Day OF Atonement. period
of fasting which begun at sundown yes
terday and ends at shutdown today. during
which no food or beverages are permitted
to pass the lips of the faithful 1t is also
a time for reconciliations and the healing
of differences between the Jewish people
and for the repentance Of all sins commit
ted during the past year. 1t IS yearly
renewal of good will and brotherly feeling
and a preparation for the solemn event of
reconciliation with God The observance Is
based upon Lev. xvi, -: And this shall
be unto you a statute forever; in the
seventh month, on the 10th of the month,
We shall fast and do no work at all.
whether the native or the stranger that So
journeth among you. for on that day Te
shall be atonei for to purify you; from ell
your sins before the Eternal shall We be
purified: a Sabbath of Sdbbaths shall this
day be unto you. arc ye shall fast; this is
al ordinance forever.
The Services Today.
Rabbi L. Stern conducted the services to-
day, as he has for twenty-five years past
and with him the platform were Presi-
dent 1. L. Blout and Vice President Philip
Peysel Of the Washington Hebrew Congre-
cation. The large auditorium was very well
filed by the representative Hebrews of the
city accompanied by their families, in APP
propriate and pleasing attire. A choir OF
twelve volunteers from the congregation
was augmented by Mrs Nellie Wilson Shir-
Cliff. Mrs. Johnson and Messrs. Nolan and
Mcfarland.
Mr.. Simon Wolf. shortly after noon, made
n brief but remarkably forceful address. or
exhortation, which made him the subject
of many congratulations from his hearers
at the close Of the service. He spoke with
out notes and gave free hand To his ora
torical powers during the few minutes he
spoke.
Mr. VOLTS Address.
Mr. Wolf pref& ced his remarks by a
touching reminder of the dead Empress of
Austria. who had during her life shown
her nagnaaimity. her soul nature, her di-
vfnely womanly traits in endeavoring te
mitigate the slfferings and prosecutions
endured by the Jews in Austria. He re
ferred TO the fact that when Germany re-
fused to permit nor ument to Heina, the
immortal poet, TO be eI ected in the place OF
Fis birth, the empress went to Greece. and.
near Corfu, erected a beautiful! memorial
to typify the learning and genius If the
bard She also every year had laurel
wreath placed upon the monument in Paris.
No act could be wOrthier Jewish CoHsre-
cation in his enlightened age, Mr.. Volt
said and especially at the capital of the
nation, than would be the remembrance OF
such q rare character, such royal en-
ar1.l IA of 10 Hebrew
al the memorial service for the dead, and
he eloquently recommended that Il prayer
60 up from the Hebrew temple here for the
lamented Elizabeth.
Mr. Wolf then spoke of the Jewish hand
rnaidens, meaning those organizations
which have done great works in uplifting
and upbUilding the race. The first men
toned was the Union Of American Hebrew
CONGREGATIONS. that handr1aideu Of intel
lectual development, which has given some
of the greatest rabbis Of the ages to the
Jewish world. The next spoken of was the
Jewish Publication Society. which has pro-
duccd works Of rare merit, the master
pieces of Hebrew scholars. which have been
highly praised and criticised by the leading
literary authorities.
The Jewish Handmaidens.
Referring to the handmaidens peculiarly
local. he first spoke of the United Hebrew
Charities here. which. he said. has done so
much 70 streng;h hen and develop citizenship
instead Of pauperiZirg ii. Next he paid
glowing tribute to the Council of Jewish
Women. which has labOred earnestly and
well to stimulate the youth of both sexes
TO the highest eudea yOr. and last he com
Ter ded the work of the Temple Society.
which had accomplished the great task of
building the magnificent new temple. This
society also. he said. deserves the pro-
foUndest praise for the practical work it
has accomplished among the children Of
the congregation. VINO have been filled by
its members with laudable aims and high
ambitions.
Mr. Wolf briefly spoke Of the glorious
past Of his race and said that although the
Hebrew is now in new era, the loving re-
spect offered by child to parent in the old
days should be emuiated now.
Il never thought of calling my father
old man or governor and my mother
old woman 1t father or mother
There are no homes so lit for reverence as
these vel remember how, when return
ing from those Friday evening services in
the cid days, my mother blessed the light
as "a reflex OF the Blessed Light. and how
my father tenderly laid his hard upon my
youthful head. Installing lofty hopes and
high aims il my receptive mind.
he closed BY urging the members Of the
congregation 10 attend the Friday and Sat
urtay evening services and mot to make
nOckeTy CT the Hebrew religion by going
10 the synagogue but twice year
Between , and / o'clock today the NE
mortal service for the dead was held and
the synagogue was filled 10 Overlooking
Rabbi Stern delivered characteristicaI-
ly eloquent sermon IN the temple last night.
OF the Day Of AtOnement he said:
1T IL day the like Of which no other
religion, to my knowledge. has created or
thought Of creating; a day entirely devoted
to the publication Of our moral being; Il
cay on which. through reconciliation with
our fellow men. whom We may have wrong
Cd or Offended. through proper amends of
our conduct and sincere repentance we
may obtain Divine pardon and forgiveness
No other agency outside of ourselves is re-
quired to obtain this end. no intercessor or
mediator. human or Divine"
The day was appropriately celebrated by
the Adas Israel Orthodox Congrega ton, at
9Th and G streets. which holds its services
IN the Hebrew language. Rabbi Crosby
oiAciated. assisted by Rev. Mr.. Mandel.