The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-22
Orthodox and Reform Syna-
gogues, With Impressive
Ceremonies, Commence
rate the Solemn Festival.
Services in HebreW-Cele-
bration of Rosh Hashonah
Begun at Sunset Last
Night-Season of Rejoic-
ing.

According 10 the Jewish calendar, the
world is 1854 years old today. In all the
synagogues Of the city the advent OF the
new year is celebrated with quaint
Hebrew ceremonies, which are as old as
the world itself. in the opinion of the
Jews, at least.
Just as in the time of David and Solo
mon the shofar. or rams horn. was blown
on the eve of the new year. so it's notes
were heard again at shutdown yesterday
in all the orthodox synagogues; so It
will sound again today. and again on
the Day of Atonement. which is We'd
nesday of next week. and then it will be
stored away again for year.
The holidays ushered in by new year
day. or Rosh Hashonah. viii continue
until the last day of Succoth week. at
the end of October.
In Orthodox Synagogues.
In the orthodox synagogues the New
Year Eve festival is most rigidly en-
forced. There the men sat with their
hats on. and the women sat by them
selves. The service was chanted and WAS
entirely in the ancient Hebrew tongue.
1t was as response that the canSor
sounded the shofar. that most ancient of
musical instruments. Much skill is re-
quired TO blow one of these rams horns,
for they have no mouthpieees or internal
appliances But in the hands of prsc-
ticed cantor their notes are as clear and
much more sonorous than bugle's.
DorI,
The Hebrew words Rosh Hashonah
signify day OF memorial and self ex-
animation. meaning that every Jew
must call TO mind his past actions. pray
for pardon for his wrong doing and be-
gin life anew The most Distinguishing
feature of the celebration is the blow
ing of the 'shofar,r or rams horn
which is done to awaken the pious Jew
to the fact that the time has come for
him to right himself with the Creator.
In the reformed church the many old
customs and rites have suffered many
changes and are made TO conform TO
more modern usages. The orthodox
church. however, interpret the Bible
literally and stand by the customs estab-
lished therein. In all the congregations
in this city special sermons and elabo-
rate musical programs were the order of
the celebration.
At the Eighth Street Temple the serv-
ices opened at 1880 last night and were
continued this morning Rabbi L. Stern
chanted the prayers and delivered a
short sermon. With Mr.. Stern on the
platform were I. l.. Blout. president of
the congregation, and William Wolf,
vice president. The music was elaborate.
Mrs Nellie Wilson Shir-CliT sang
several solos. In addition to the regu-
lar church choir other prominent sing
ers were heard. DR.. George Walter
had charge Of the music and played the
organ.
The Orthodox Observance.
At the Adath Israel Church, Sixth and
G Streets northwest. special services
were held last night Rabbi Loeb led in
the chanting OF prayers. and delivered
short address to the congregation. This
morning he preached a special Rosh
Hashonah sermon. The many solemn
rites of the orthodox Jews were OBJ
served. Special and elaborate musical
features were included in the celebra-
tion at today's service.
The celebration of Rosh Hashonah in
the orthodox churches is continued two
days. while only one DAY is observed in
the reformed branch
The congregation of Ahov shoiom, R.
Grammar. rabbi. which usually meets at
Fifth and II Streets northwest, are cele-
brating New Year at National Rifles
Armory. Services were held last night
at shutdown and this morning at G. and
1890 o'clock.
The present festival will continue for
ten days. ending with Yom Kippur. After
an interval OF five days the celebration
of "Succoth,'' or Feast % Tabernacles,
will begin and continue for period Of
nine days.