JEWISH FESTIVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23161, 6 October 1938, Page 18

JEWISH FESTIVAL

DAY OF ATONEMENT ; PASSING OF WAR THREAT ADDRESS BY REV. A. ASTBR "We thank God that by His graci : ous mercy and beneficence millions of lives have been saved and a spirit of sanity has prevailed and made peace possible," said the Rev. A. Astor, during the Day of Atonement observances which were held at tho Synagogue ■yesterday.- "We pray that this .peace be further strengthened, and that tho spirit of goodwill and understanding now prevailing may uaher' in a new era of righteousness and justice, tolerance and humanity," he added. ■ "We are led to hopo that the passing of the crisis will bring about further solutions of the problems affecting 'the world, and that there .will be an amelioration in the position of thousands of our people—that thero nvill be a speedy end to their sufferings and tribulations," added Mr. Astor. "If our prayers are to bo answered." he said, "if our life is to be real and earnest, it must be lived with a jtrue sense of responsibility toward our people and toward a solution of the problems that weigh so heavily upon us. Wo must show our brethren who are facing their difficulties with wonderful courage and bravery that they are not alone in their struggle for life, freedom and 'justice..

"Wo ! have not been?permitted to survive the disasters o£ the centuries, to achieve all we .have > done, in: order to succumb to violence, prejudice and tyranny. We shall continue to derive hope from the lessons, of . the past, to renew faith and confidence that our ship of fate will ride the..present storms in safety and ultimately, with the help of God; reach the haven of peace."