The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-16
OBSERVANCE 0F THE DAY OF ATONEMENT ID BEGIN TOMORROW
Is Holiest Day in the Jewish Calendar-All Day Serv- ice at Temple Emanu-El
 Saturday

"Yom Kippur" or the day of atone- ment will be observed by the Jewish people of the city commencing tomor- row at sundown and continuing until sundown Saturday. This Is considered the holiest of all the holy days of the Jewish calendar, and will be observed by prayer, fasting and abstaining from labor. The orthodox Jews of the city Will observe the two days as usual. Services at Temple Emanu-El will be held on Friday night at 8 o'clock by Dr. M. Newfield The opening anthem will be the ancient "Kol Nedre," the oldest melody in existence, which is always used in the ritual services in all synagogues on "Yom Kippur." the Hebrew name for the day of atonement. All Day Service Saturday On Saturday morning services will commence in the temple at 10:30 a. m and continue until sunset. Special music will be rendered by the choir un- der the direction of Prof. Emile Levy.
 At 2S0 p. m. a special service will be conducted by the young people of the congregation. This service will be led by Leon Israel, post graduate of Columbia university and the sermon will be preached by Ben Gross, the well known attorney.
 At 4 o'clock the memorial service will be conducted by Dr. Newheld. This service is held in commem oration of the departed members of the con- eregation as well as to the memory of the great men and women of all nd foi he vr-kA 1;1l year.
 The central conference of American rabbis gives out the following an nouncement of the day of atonement
 The initial service Is held in the evening of September IT. The entire day of September IS Is devoted to it. The ritual of the day is public and congregational, but it's significance is personal
 "The day brings the people together, because they share the limitations of hnman nature and because they are equally aware of the fact that our careers, whatever they may be to oth- CTS, satisfy or dissatisfy ourselves in accordance with our moral or immoral interests. This holy day gives oppor- tunity for earnest thought on our iu- her life. The difficulties men encoun- ter in the course of a busy year may prove after self-examination, to be not 'decrees' of God, but instances of their shortcomings The ancients frankly and humbly called them sins
 "Reminiscences of Centuries
 "The "reminiscences of centuries cling to this day of days and make it's lessons suggestive and impressive. In ancient times priestly solemnities tn- vested it with dignity and the perse- cutions of later times gave it pathos intense ic 1xr,ox, salutary experience to face the facts of life as they are, to realize that there are illusions and delusions, to bring home to ourselves the truth that we work under the limitations of mind. heart and will Men who feel their responsibilities will neither ignore this reminder nor evade the appeal They will frankly avow the shortcomings of their common human nature in the midst of their fellow men. The day of atonement is not for selfish priva- cies, as little as for penitence which is merely penance. It is for moral up- lift by which we may acquire moral strength. The first act of moral health is humility.
 ''The ritual of the day expresses openness, sympathy and a desire to attain to a moral will. And so do the customs of the day. Fasting Is meant as a discipline of self control, the sponsor of many virtues. Concentra- tion upon the problems of character makes 1t easy and noble. Public con- fession of sins is an act of will an assertion of the best in oneself The day brings men together in con- sciousness of their common mortality. Judaism makes men genuinely demo- cratic; it makes them realize that they are equal before God.
 One phase of the ritual of the day is the thought and memory of the dead Each man thinks of the void that has come into his career through the loss of kindred and of the obligations he has because of 1t. And all think of the eminent dead. of the men of efficiency and world influence, who have served and advanced the good of the world In this. too, there is evidence of the de- mocracy of Judaism. Whatever their origin or place. the great and good are mentioned with appreciation.
 'The day of atonement Is a day for