Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

The Southern Israelite ^CUttlPl' rtl^TclflitP Executive Offices: 161 Spring St., N. W. Published In Atlanta Monthly by THE SOUTHERN NEWSPAPERS ENTERPRISES, Inc., M. STEPHEN SCHIFFER, Managing Editor Subscription Rates: 15 Cents Single Copy, $1.50 Per^Year In Advance. Entered as second class matter at the Postoffice at Atlanta, Ga., under the Act of March 3rd, 1879. All communications for publication should reach this office not later than 1st and 15th of each month. The Southern Israelite Invites correspondence and literary contributions, but the Editor Is not to be considered as sharing the views expressed by t e writers except those enunciated In the Editorial columns. NEVER TOO LATE One of the most beautiful and impressive of our Jewish holi days has just passed, one that embodies the true spiritual essence of Judaism because it is the hope that our heritage will be a living inspiration through the allegiance that our Jewish youth pledge to their religious faith. The young men and women who participate in the Confirmation ceremony are inspired to feel the spiritual significance of their confirmation and to realize their tremendous responsibility of upholding the traditional loyalty to Judaism. The sincere confirmants leave their service with an honest desire to practice the vows of faithfulness to Judaism that they volunteered to accept, but we cannot fail to see the grave possibility that in the busy life that the normal person leads today the most honest intentions of these young people to strengthen their reli gious ties may be absorbed by the many material interests that are almost inevitably to occupy their thoughts. But there is no reason, whatsoever, that their religious consciousness should come to a standstill at the end of their Sunday School career, for that should be only the symbol of a foundation for a more earnest devotion to Judaism. It is not an easy task for parents and religious teachers to cope with this situation, but it is nevertheless up to them, as well as to our Jewish lay leaders, to see to it that the religious interest and enthusiasm of their youth do not end with their con firmation exercises. The synagogue and religious schools have not proven to be the only religious institutions, for Judaism is a “life”, and our youth must be lead to appreciate the significance of the connection of their religion not only to the Temple services, but its introduction into social, cultural and intellectual activity. Probably one of the most effective factors in helping to en courage sincerety toward their religious life for our young women has been the Junior Council. This group furnishes an important means whereby they are reminded of their Jewish contact, not only sociably but in the light of service to their own people. The organi zation makes their religion a part of their everyday life, aside from their attendance at Temple worship. The same type of organization, the Temple Brotherhood, endeavors to aid the young men to uphold their confirmation vows by impressing upon them their religious responsibility through group interactivity. The value of these two organizations is unlimited in developing and broadening the re ligious interest that confirmation instills in our youth. Is not such achievement worthy of our attention, is it not worthy of action on our part to co-operate with these national organizations to inspire love for Judaism in the hearts of our youth? So far we have responded to the need for a Junior Council, but as yet we have not awakened to the realization of what a Temple Brotherhood will mean for our young men. We ought certainly to feel it a privilege to encourage them toward a broader religious contact. It seems that our Jewish com munity has underestimated a very urgent need, but it is our hope that each and every one of you will feel it your duty to consider this matter and offer suggestions or criticisms that might help. Shabuoth—The Feast of Pentecost The celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, known in Hebrew as “Shabuoth”—the Feast of Weeks—began on Thursday evening, June 13, 1929. According to the Bible, this festival is to be ob served one day. Throughout Jewish history, the Feast of Weeks has assumed a dominant place in Jewish life. It commemorates the event on Mount Sinai, when the children of Israel received the Ten Commandments—an event which caused the Jewish people to become a spiritualizing force throughout the generations. For this reason, it has always been celebrated with great joy and gladness. In ancient times, when the Jewish people lived in Palestine and were tillers of the soil, the Feast of Pentecost was celebrated as a nature festival. In Palestine, the harvest season begins with the first month of spring when the barley crop is reaped, and con- eludes seven weeks thereafter with the reaping of the wheat har vest. Thus, the last day of the harvest season became a day of great festivity. On that day the Jewish people made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and offered the first fruits of the wheat harvest with thanks and praise to God. With the change of environment and circumstances after the Destruction of the Temple, the agricultural background lost its meaning for the Jewish people. A new concept began to be em phasized and developed around the Festival of Weeks—a concept which gave it spiritual strength to survive to the present day and carry a signal message even to our present era. According to the Bible, Exodus XIX, the children of Israel received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai on the very day on which the Feast of Weeks is observed. Thus, when the agri cultural background for the observance of this festival was no more of vital significance, the Jewish people continued to celebrate it as a day which marks the anniversary of their birthday as a spirit ual people endowed with a noble message to the world. Moses had freed the children of Israel from physical oppression and slaver}*; but this is not sufficient to make a people truly free. The spiritual bondage must be removed before a people can become a spiritual people. This Moses achieved when he gave the children of Israel the Ten Commandments. It is this message of spiritual freedom that the Feast of Weeks strives to convey to us today. The Confirmation Service, which is one of the main feature? in the observance of this holiday, re-emphasizes and enhances the idea of spiritual freedom. At this Service, the Jewish youth makes a public proclamation to continue in the paths of the principles which Moses gave to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai. Fwt of Either Purim Roeh Chodesh Nissan First Day of Pessach ... Eighth Day of Pessach Roeh Chodesh Iyar La* B'Omer Roah Chodesh Sivan Shavuoth JEW ISH CALENDAR 5689—1929 Roah Chodesh Tammux hast of Tammux Rosh Chodesh Ab ™’* Tiaho B'Ab •Rosb Chodesh Elul -...Monday. March M -..Tuesday, March » Thursday, Apri H Thursday. April 25 Thursday, May * Saturday, May L Tuesday, May Sunday, June 9 Friday, June 14 Saturday, June Tuesday, JttJ* * Thursday, July 2J Wednesday, August* Thursday. Au*u«t » .Friday, September, • Rosh Hashonah Fast of Gedalia Yom Kippur Suceoth 5690—1929 . ...Saturday, October — .Monday, October » Monday. October l* Saturday. October » Shemini Azreth _ OrtSbS » •Ro,h chodesh che.van 4 *osh Chodesh Kisler TWAm December 1 hirst Day of Chanukah TTe*e»t* r * 7 E Holidays begin in the evening preceding the dates daelgnated. •Rosh Chodesh also observed the previous day.