Evening star., 1903-09-22
THE JEWISH NEW YEAR
Opening Celebration by Local
Congregations.
DIR. STERN'S ADDRESS
REFERENCE TO KISHINEFF MAS
sACRE IN DISCOURSE TODAY.
An Appeal for Continued Loyalty as
Jew and American-Other
Services.
DIR. STERN's ADDRESS

was ODSeTVeU WIN appropriate CeTeHoIIeS
by the members Of that race in Washington
today. The three Hebrew congregations in
the city held services at the Hebrew Temple
on Sth street. the Adath Israel Synagogue
on 9Th street and in the National Rifles
Armory Hall on G street, respectively.
Many business men in the city closed their
establishments for the day and have Joined
in the observance. which. according to the
Hebrew calendar. marks the 5,664th ami
versary of the creation of the world.
The new year began at sundown yester-
day, and last night special religious serv-
ices in honor of the event were held In the
various synagogues.
There was an immense congregation pres
ent at the Hebrew Temple on 9Th street this
morning to participate In the exercises
which began at 1890 o'clock. The begin
ming fthe services was announced by
blast of the 'shofar." or rams horn. With
in the chancel besides Rev. DR.. Louis Stern,
who conducted the services. were Mr.. l. l..
Blout. president of the congregation, and
Mr.. William Wolf. vice president.
The regular ritual Of the church for the
occasion was followed This consisted OF
the reading Of Scripture and the offering of
prayers of praise and thanksgiving, after
which DR.. Stern delivered a sermon. The
services We're interspersed with musical
selections by the choir which was composed
of Messrs. John Nolan. W. d. Mcfarland
and Mrs. w. H. Torbert. Mrs. Martin and
Mrs. Nellie Wilson Shir-Cliffe, assisted by
Mrs b. Solomon. Miss Amelia Wolf. MRS.
Lee Baumgarten, Miss Erna Stern. Mrs.
Sarah Hillman and Mrs Henry Adler. DR..
George Walters had charge of the music
and presided at the organ.
DR.. Stern's Discourse.
DR.. Stern, in his discourse urged that the
members Of the congregation should be
thankful for their blessings of the past and
endeavor to improve all their opportunities
for noble living. In speaking of the opti
mism Of the Hebrew race he said:
1T is this cheerful vision of life, this
healthful optimism, based on the firm trust
in a divine wisdom and justice, that is the
secret of the preservation of Judaism and
the Jew. which has inspired him to this
day to live and to dare. He still recites on
each new year the grand old prayers, voic-
ing the hope not only of Israels redemption
but also of the redemption of all mankind.
Tragedy of Kishineff.
Events during the past year have shown
that the race still stands in need of that
spirit Of optimism. The Jew of 5663 has
written another chapter to that long story
of IsraeTs martyrdom. Overshadowing all
the events of the past year. the tragedy Of
kishinen looms up before us. directing our
minds to distant scenes of desolate homes,
of fresides broken, of weeping widows and
orphan children. Yet on this very day these
selfsame sorely tried men. women and
children of kishinem give praise and thanks
to their fathers God who rules over life and
death, and they send up their fervent pray
ers for the welfare of the country that has
been such cruel mother to them; for the
ultimate triumph Of justice that in them
has been so Shamefully outraged.
Let us be no less hopeful than these I'M
fOrtunates. God lives, and these horrors of
Kishinef have set in motion throughout the
a nf I'M {pno
ton than any other calamity that has ever
befalen our race
while the leading governments failed to
take any decided stand on the matter, yet
we record with pride and appreciation the
noble attitude of our own people and gov
ernment, eloquently voiced by public print
and speech: in the liberal Endorsement Of
the petition to the czar which, although
we forwarded, remains in the archives of
our State Department, beautiful testi-
mony to American civilization and high
mtndedness and scatning rebuke-a mod
ern meme tekel upharsn'-to Russian bar
barism.
I'VE are in Gods hands, and He will lead
and guide us onward to destined goal.
But to the end 1t remains for US to prepare
cur own record, carefully, diligently and
enthusia stically. Let 1t be record of duty
and loyalty. as becomes US as Jews and
Americans a record OF pure thoughts and
noble deeds. of mutual helpfulness and
sympathy and love. And thus record
that carries with 1t the fulfllment Of the
prayer May we be inscribed for a year
of happiness and prosperity and peace
Services Elsewhere.
The services at Adath Israel Synagogue
began at $50 o'clock this morning and
continued until 1890 o'clock. Rev. J. r.
Loeb conducted the services, which con-
sisted of the reading of biblical references
and the offering of prayers Services will
also be held at this church tonight and to-
morrow.
At the National Rifles Armory Hall the
Above Scholar congregation held special
services today. beginning at $50 o'clock
this morning. The service from $50 until
9:3O was conducted by Rev. NJ. J. Goldman
and was continued until 1890 o'clock by
Rev. r. Grafman. rabbi OF the congrega-
ton. During the latter part of the meet
ing brief addresses on religious and pa
triotic themes were delivered by Mr.. II.
Krick, president of the congregation, and
others.
The Above Scholar congregation will
also hold services this evening and during
tomorrow. The observance of the new year
anniversary will close tomorrow evening at
sundoWn.