Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-21
JEWS WORSHIPPING
AMID DIN OF BATTLE
IN WAR-TORN EUROPE
Franco-Prussian War Scene
Probably Re-enacted as
Hebrews in Rival Armies
Observe Religious | Holiday

An incident of the Franco-Prussan War
that has become famous through copies
of picture which adorns the walls of
hundreds of Jewish homes in this city Ia
probably being re-enacted today on the
battlcfolds of Europe. This picture por-
trays tho Jewish soldiers of the German
army holding religious services before
Metz, in 1870, while the Prussians We're
advancing on Paris.
Almost a half million soldiers engaged
in the gigantic European military strug
gle will lay aside their weapons of war
today TO observe Rosh Hashana, or the
New Years Day. the first of the great
autumn holidays.
The picture of the Day of Atoncment
services in the Franco-Prussian War has
been so widely circulated that it is famil-
lar to every jew. 1t shows the Jewish
soldiers gathered around huge altar.
saying the prayers prescribed for the oc-
casion. Many of them are wearing over
their uniforms the talith. shawl used
in the synagogue by all orthodox Jews
In the background are shown cannon
sending forth their missiles of destruc-
tion into the ranks of the enemy. over
the picture is the inscription, in German:
Have we not all one Father? We're we
not all created by the same God?"
Today, amid the roar and the rumble
of cannon. perhaps while shot and shell
arc whistling through the air. the high
holiday, sacred to every one of the He
brew faith, will be observed. The posi-
ton of the armies, with their battle lines
stretched over many miles, will make II
impossible to hold one big religious GER
emony, but doubtless there will be scores
Of small services held along the fighting
lines
1t is expected in view of the concilia-
tory attitude taken by the Russian Gov
erument toward the Jews since the out
break of the war. that permission viii he
granted these men to rest for a brief
spell from the bloody business of war to
worship God according to the dictates of
their religion The Russian military All
thOTitics appear appreciatve Of the loyal
support of the Jews, and for the first time
in the history of Russia, Jews have been
granted commissions as officers. Fol
lowing the battles at LemberG many He
brcWs were commended for their gal
lantry and several hundred were appoint
cd officers. These men, now engaged in
the campaigns against Austria and Ger
many, will no doubt be the leading
spirits in the holding of the religious GER
omonies.
In the armies of Austria, France and
England there are many thousands of
Jews. The English soldiers at home
have been granted furlough to spend
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (the
Day Of AtonemenD with their families
Sperial provisions have been made for
the soldiers in the field to observe these
holidays
The French are likewise said TO be ap-
prcciatiye of the services rendered by the
Jews Hundreds have lost their lives
ana a recent report from Paris stated
that the Chief Rabbi Of Lyons. NJ A.
Bloch a volunteer helper, was killed by
the enemy near Saint Die, Major Al
fred Dreyns l. among the French He
brcws now hshting for their country.
The Chief Rabbi of England has issued
an appeal to Jews Of the Kingdom to re-
spond to the call 10 arms "Once more
we will prove that the old Maccabean
spirit Is sun alive in US" he says. we
will offer our lives to defend Great
Britain's ideals OF justice and humanity
In even larger number will we continue
10 Join the army Of our King. BE strong
and OF good courage. The God of right
eousuess is with US. He will guard our
going out and our coming in"
The Day of Atonement follows ten
days after the beginning Of tine New
Year. II is customary for Jews 10 fast
on this day. and the majority OF the
soldiers IN the European armies win do
without food for q hours, despite the
physical strain that they are now being
forced to undergo.