The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-27
JEWISH new YEAR
1t Begins Oct. 2 at Dusk
5,674th Anniversary.
The S,00O,009 Orthodox Jews i'm
World Observe Tt.
MOSES. ON MOUNT SINAI
Started the Custom i'm the
Dawning of World.
Some 200 Topeka Jews viii
Hold Solemn Ceremonies.

Next week, October ?, on the Chris
tan calendar, marks the commence
ment of the Jewish holidays The New
Year, year 1914, according to the Ola
Testament, begins on Thursday even
Ing at dusk. Ten days later comes the
Yum Kippur, or Day of Atonement'
when the 200 Orthodox Jews in Topeka
will fast from shutdown to star-rise.
The orthodox Jews, forming the
congregation Rnai Israel, will hold
services at AIS Kansas avenue under
the direction of the Rabbi Cross, VINO
arrived recently from Russia. the
rabbi will wear a snowy robe with
white mitre and hold in his hands the
Old Testament on illuminated parch-
ment. He will stand before an altar
draped with rich vestmentS and agloW
with candles. He will observe many
old Jewish customs, among them the
winding of a horn to summon pros
porous year for the chosen people.
The Day of Atonement is as signifi-
cent to the Jews as Christmas Day to
the Christians. 1t was first cetebra-
ted 1000 years ago when Moses sum-
moned the Jews to the temple in Jeru-
salem. On October IL, 1913-or the
tenth day of the year 5,674, on the
Jewish calendar-the 100000 Jews IN
the United States will make their an
nual religious celebration
Day of Forgiveness and Prayer.
1t is day of forgiveness and prayer.
The Jews meet together and petition
Jehovah for a live year" as they call
it. The services commence after sun
set, and are renewed the following
morning Until the first star is lighted
in the black sky, the Jews fast and
pray. Every Orthodox Jew In Topeka
with the exception of children under
10 years old-will observe the 26-hour
fast
It's a long fast" admitted one of
the Topeka Jews lone day a year
doesn't count. Jews all over the world
spend Atonement day in the syna-
gogue without food
In the olden times sacrifices were
offered. Jews in the holy lands col
lected in Jerusalem to worship. Abra-
ham, father of the Jews, was willing
to give his young son as a sacrifice
to Jehovah on Mt. Sinai
In a Spirit of Ecstacy.
The Jews watch the approach of
their holidays in spirit of quiet ecs-
tacy. They prepare thoughtfulIy for
their period of prayer and thanksS1V-
ing.
THE services for the New Year be-
gin at shutdown, october 2. The next
morning is spent in prayer and con-
sideration of the Ten Commandments.
The rabbi leads the services. The
Jews feast at noon. They collect in
the synagogue in the evening. Ten
days later comes at Atonement fast.
The Day of Atonement will be
quiet one in New York city Eighty
per cent of the population in the me-
tropolis are Jews. A large portion OF
these embrace the orthodox faith,
and will spend the day fasting There
are s, 5000, 00o Jews in the world. They
will close their shops, lock their doors
and dedicate October IL to the God
of their fathers.
Yes, there are S,OOO,0 coo Jews in
the world" said one of the Topeka
Jews, rather sadly, there will never
be any more. No, they are not in
creasing. They are getting less. They
are mixing with other denominations
But there are those of us who still
celebrate the Day of Atonement-as
it was celebrated years ago-in Je-
rusalem.
In the hearts of the Jews that are
left still burns that love and enthu-
siasm voiced by Ben Hur's mother
when she said: Though every Roman
were a Caesar 1 could show you
Jew that. would excel him.