JEWISH TRIBUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 10

JEWISH TRIBUTE

"MOURNED BY OUR PEOPLE"

PROTECTION AND GUIDANCE

There was a large attendance of the Jewish community at the memorial service held today at the Synagogue, Wellington Terrace. In the absence of Rabbi Solomon Katz, the service was conducted by the Rev. S. Kantor. " 'It is good to think that our family of peoples is at peace with itself and united in one desire to be at peace with all other nations.' These words were spoken by our late King George on December 25 last in a broadcast message to his great Imperial family," said the Rev. S. Kantor. "At that time neither we nor the King himself realised that this was his final message to his subjects, and that a month later circumstances would necessitate our coming together to offer prayers for his departed soul.

"In sadness and sorrow we are assembled here today mourning the loss of one whom we have learned to love and whose memory can never be effaced. The quotation I have chosen epitomises the very soul of our late King's character. A man of peace; who lived for peace, and was consumed with a desire that his people should be at peace with themselves and the rest of the world. Much has been spoken and written of him but we of all peoples appreciate and admire this particular virtue.

"He ruled over an extensive Empire, one, upon which, it has been truly said, the sun never sets. But in ruling he won not only mere obedience to his will but sincere love and affection of all his people. And why? Other Empires vast and powerful have existed. But they have vanished and are forgotten.. They have been built on a foundation of sand, and have been ruled by the sword. Our Empire has been cemented by the personality of our late King who was in the fullest sense of the word the father of a na tion. To him as a man as well as a King is due the solidarity of the British Commonwealth of Nations. He was of the people. He brought the Throne closer to his subjects without sacrificing its glamour or its prestige. He combined reverence with affection, i SPECIAL CAUSE TO MOURN. "As Jews we have special cause to mourn his loss. Our history is the story of ceaseless wanderings over the face ot the globe. To those of us who have found a home under the protection of the British Constitution, the King has personified all that is noble and righteous. We have looked to him for protection and guidance and he has never failed us. He has taken a special interest in us as his subjects. With what pride our "people received him . during the recent Jubilee celebrations? With spontaneous thankfulness for nil his goodness our people have en-

deavoured to play their part in the upbuilding of the Empire. But not only did our late King command the respect of his Jewish subjects. By sponsoring that historic document the Balfour Declaration he stirred the sentiments of our people throughout the world. It is with truth therefore that we can say that today he is mourned by our people not only in the British Empire but in all parts of the civilised world. WHAT OF THE FUTURE? "And now what of the future? In times gone by a change of ruler was a time of anxiety for our people. For us today there is no doubt as to what lies in store. King Edward VIII is no stranger to us, and as Prince of Wales he has manifested his good will towards our people. Our faith in him and the house of Windsor is built upon the past. What better augury could we and the world have for the future of the Empire than the first message of our new King to his people? He said, 'When my father stood here twenty-six years ago he declared that one of the objects of his life would be to uphold constitutional government. In this I am determined to follow -my father's footsteps and work as he did throughout his life for the welfare of all classes of my subjects.'

"With our new King we pray that God will guide him and protect him. As his Jewish subjects we pledge ourselves to continue our loyalty for the benefit of the Empire, so that peace might reign during the years to come. We wish our new King long life and happiness. With the example of his illustrious father before him he cannot fail to guide the destiny of the Empire in the proper paths and exert his influence for good amongst the nations of the world. God save the King."

The prayer offered up contained the following supplication:—"O Lord, who healest the broken-hearted and bindest up their wounds, grant Thy consolation unto the widowed Queen and all members of the Royal Family who mourn with her. Put into their hearts the fear and love of Thee, that they may serve Thee with a perfect heart; and let their latter end be peace."

Mr. D. Markham. president of the Jewish community in Wellington, has received the following cable message in reply to the Jewish community's message of sympathy with the Royal Family: "The King is touched by your kind message of sympathy and will be glad if you will express his sincere thanks to all who joined in it."