Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-09-13
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
FIRST OPENED TODAY
Procession Carries old and New
Bibles TO New Place Of Worship
Jewish New Year Begins.

The opening OF the new jewish
synagogue on PenusyUauia avenue
this afternoon With the unique ceru
mony OF carrying the Bibles there by
tho congregation is a prelude TO the
Rosh lioshauah of the jewish New
Year. which begins tomorrow evening
al sundown
AS has been told IN the columns OF
this paper. the Jewish congregation
Of Martinshnrg numbering fifteen fam
lies or a population of some Gfty or
sixty some months ago purchased the
old First United Brethren church
Lately the church has been trans
formed into a synagogue and as such
was used this afternoon for the Hrst
time for a Hebrew ceremony This
was the removal OF the old and new
Bibles from the home Of Rabbi Nor.
ris Levin on Liberty street. to the
synagogue on PENNSYLVANIA avenue
which, according to Jewish rites and
/ traditions, Is ceremony OF much
solemnity
This occasion was graced by the
/ presence OF Rabbi Morris Baron. Of
Cumberland. who arrived here on No,
/ G. The stores and other business
1 places OF the Jews closed az $50 and
I they then assembled at the home Of
Rabbi NJ Levin on Liberty street
/ Headed By six members OF the City
/ Band the Jewish congregation. men
women and children marched 10 the
I synagogue, Behind the baud came
( four boys carrying plush velvet can.
opy supported by four sticks or poles
/ These boys were +. Hack. Samuel
/ Fine, Benjamin Sklar and Allen katz
| Under this canopy walked the person
carrying the Bible, old and new, and
/ this was performed in turn by every
member OF the congregation Gu
either side Of the canopy marched the
flag bearers s. Fine carried the
American nag while B Levin carried
the Jewish flag Of silk, the colors being
blue, yellow and white.
Arriving at the synagogue Rabbi
Baron delivered an address IN the
course OF which he congratulated the
Hebrew congregation upon acquiring
such comfortable place Of Worship
The new Bible was received yeBter
day According to Jewish custom zen.
turtles Old II is written by hand on
calfskin and not printed In bookform
It cost 1902 and rolls up like a scroll.
There viii be services tomorrow
evening in the synagogue eommencins
at $50 and continuing for an hour
or two. Thursday the services will be
from 3 TO / and again at $50 D. M.
and Friday the same. During these
solemn services all Jewish places Of
business VIII be closed by the ortho-
doX Hebrews.
The Jewish holiday season begins
somewhat earlier this year than 9th
er years The Grst holiday is the New
Year, or Rosh Hashanah. which oc.
ours this year on Thursday. the New
Year eve being on Wednesday eve.
! ming.
In the Jewish tradition the Rosh
iIashanah marks the anniversary Of
the creation Of the world. supposed to
have taken place 5673 years ago;
hence the Jewish year beginning with
this New Years day win be known as
the year 1913
Rosh Iiashanah or New Year liz one
Of the festivals ordained IN the Bible,
Leyiticus XNIIG. "a %. where we
read, In the seventh month, In the
first day Of the month, shall ye have a
Sabbath, memorial OF trumpets, and
holy convocatlon. Ye shall do no ser.
vile work therein" As we note from
the Biblical wording. the New Years
day Is intended as a day Of memorial
Of remembrance, when not only God
calls to nina everything His children
have done during the past year. to
their works. but whom the children OF
God should remember their deeds and
properly graduate them.
Also. according to the Biblical pre-
scription, the shofar or rams horn OF
, trumpet is soIemnly sounded mum
Der Of times in the Jewish house oil
worship 10 arouse The conscience Of
the worshippers
In order to prepare for the solemn
: holy season. The orthodox Jew fol
some days before the New Years day
, arises at earliest dawn and repairs Il
] the synagogue where panitential pray
ers are intoned In o special mournfu
chant This early morning service
continues during the New Years day
until the day of Atonement.
, IA many communities, especially ii
Europe. it is customary for the jew,
10 congregate on the afternoon Of thu
New Year near a running stream
where in addition to certain peniten
, tial prayers verses 1920 from the sew
, enth chapter Of Micah are read end
! ing with Thou wilt cast an their sini
into the depths Of the sea" In some
districts crumbs Of bread are thrown
into the waters. symholieai Of the sins
10 be forgiven.
The New Years day is one of sol
emn iov and the. greeting Of the day