The Answered Prayer By MAEANNA CHESERTON-MANGLE An American Jewish Press Feature HAYM SALOMON It was September, 1781, and the ragged armies of the Revo- lution were encamped through Pennsylvania and the New Jer- sey flatlands. In New York City, General Clinton's British troops were living on the fat of the land. The American forces were badly in need of food, rifles and ammunition. Soldiers were de- serting their posts to hunt for game, and discontent was spreading rapidly through the ranks. Now at summer's end, there was no prospect ahead but another terrible winter of priva- tion. George Washington, tall and gaunt, stroked his strong jaw thoughtfully. Standing outside his tent head- quarter s, he watched camp -- fires blinking through the trees and heard the murmur of soldiers who sat around them. Finally the gen- eral turned to his visitor — a heavy-set towns- man: Washington "You see our condition here, Morris. The men are unwilling to remain in camp longer with- out pay and food. Mutiny is in the air! I can't blame them; but the hard fact is that unless something is done to relieve the situation, I will soon find myself a general without troops." The visitor, Robert Morris, su- perintendent of finance of the Continental Congress, shrugged his broad shoulders. His eyes mirrored a discouraged helpless- ness. "I've done all in my power, General. We have no income, our currency is in a chaotic state, and foreign bills of ex- change are dropping every day." Washington clenched his fists. "Our people must be given con- fidence! If we Can only weather this winter, there'll be a chance to keep Clinton in New York, while we march to the south to attack Cornwallis; but mean- while we need food, blankets, guns, medicine. We need money! Is there no one to whom we can turn?" Robert Morris was silent, but finally he spoke: 'There IS a man in Philadelphia, sir, a broker. Men say he is honest and to be trusted." "What is his name?" the General asked. "Haym Salomon", Morris re- plied. "He is a Jew", George Washington turned to- ward the other man and gripped his shoulder in a grasp of iron. "A Jew? He is an American! I've heard of this Salonion. He was a member of the Sons of Liberty in New York, and he was imprisoned twice by the British for aiding our cause. If he CAN help us, he WILL. Go to him at once >" When Morris had mounted and ridden away, George Wash- ington passed a tired hand over his forehead. Entering his tent, hidden in the night shadows, he dropped to his knees. His head inclined forward, and the deep- set eyes closed, the General's strong hands folded in fervent and humble prayer. A day later, a courier galloped along the cobblestone streets of Philadelphia. Approaching a small brick building, he vaulted from his mount and sprang up the steps. The building was the synagogue where the Jews of Philadelphia had .just gathered for their most important holy day of the year. It was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a day to fast and pray. Here it was that the messenger would find Haym Salomon. The messenger extended a white envelope toward the old sexton who greeted him at the door. "I have a letter from the superintendent of finance, Rob- ert Morris, for Haym Salomon." "For me?" A slender brown- haired man stepped forward from the : prayer benches. His brows were drawn together as he _swiftly read the enclosed let- ter. Meanwhile the other wor- shippers, many in the ragged regimentals of Washington's army, gathered around in curi- osity. What did Robert Morris want with Haym Salomon—on Yom Kippur ! Salomon looked up—his face grave. "This note says that General Washington is in serious distress. He needs money to prevent a mutiny among his men—at once! Secretary Morris has sent us two bills of exchange for $20,000. He hopes that we will be able to let him have that sum, without de- lay." - A murmur of protest arose. "But Haym, on the Holy Day? We cannot take part in bus- mess today. It would be a sin against God." Haym Salomon's brown eyes shot fire as he sprang to the pulpit holding up his hands for silence. "Friends! He waited for a moment. "This is part of the battle that all of us are fight- ing—whether in uniform or out of it. We must raise $20,- 000 for the crisis—at once." The crowd hushed. Then a hesitant voice was heard from the rear. "We have three hun- dred dollars in the bank, Haym, if that will help ..." A burly far- mer in homespun said, "We've been planning to buy a new plow and tram of oxen—but they can wait." One by one the members of the congregation volunteered their pledges, large and small. Not ten minutes had passed be- fore the entire sum was raised and men went back to their prayers. Haym Salomon turned to the messenger and said, "Go. Tell General Washington that he shall have the money he neds." In the years that followed, Haym Salomon again and again aided the cause of the American Revolution. Unstintingly he gave, impovershing his business and family so that he might contri- bute huge sums to the Con- tinental Congress. These stuns were never paid back and when he died, Haym Salomon was penniless. But he left his chil- dren a far greater heritage" than money. Yom Kippur Day rP ,13t7 rbp Traditional Sac-11y Each pray-ing w :"Naim ■ Nmo ■ iimal are aft 5' — ti. — — a . rALAMPEN1111.1111111 .1171 ■ 11t I I. ...............'. ....,...... !SMI a •. • ..... Our thou' its are ,,51, - 14 ...... : ... way, ". 606 . . LM: 13; '0- ...,... MIN . 11M11111•111=11 • 111 , 11 ■ 11 •• NM ■ ....i 1=INI i /////7 =IV 41•1111111U ANN,. ///".. ■ ?IF ....■... --- -- IliMMIM r - er, our eon-science m'-fat ...... , MI, pur - ta - 111.1111.111.11111E.1.11. 1 i1.11 • . .-.Th \ . Eli j E to lam Ili - All the be- gins a - new. a a was led a sins • • ..... •• Jew - 1: 11 ■ ....1 NMI :11 i I S u r - er, to - rzu 1 11,b When we .16. - - fast - - and pray Yon-I Kip - pur - - - - per ' 4.1 clay. - ...... •■•■■.` . ANEW IMIN•1 Alr,111=111 Ill, 11 • JIM= Mr AM .111 ■ 1rIMINIIIIMINIIMMI ■ InEF f• = .......r • AI. . . - nu. (it — P. 1■1111111.1111111111111Palla v 3 "Yom Kippur Day" is one of 24 songs appearing in "Songs to Share" by Rose B. Goldstein, piano settings by Reuven Kosakoff, and illustrations by E. Schloss. Published by United Synagogue of America, the songs are being syndicated by American Jewish Press, the fea- ture service of the American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, by special arrange- ment with the United Synagogue. Orthodox CourtOil Issues Statenieni . - Of Year's Policy A message to Detroit Jewry was issued on the occasion of the New Year 5714 by the Coun- cil of Orthodox Rabbis, embody- ing a twelve-point program of improvement. The Council's Vaad Hayeshi- voth will be re-organized to bet- ter regulate the drives of various educational institutions which appeal here for funds. The Council also promised the opening of a new ritualarium, more strict kashruth supervision, a broader program of adult and child education, restoration of the Sabbath, aid to Israel in in- creased form, rescue work for people in distress,. religious in- formation center, a religious court, bureau of vital statistics and cooperation with Sinai Hos- pital authorities for a smooth running hospital. Rabbi Joseph Thumim is prds- ident of the Council of Orthodox Rabbis. He is assisted by Rabbis Isaac Stollman, dean and chair- man; Leizer Levin, chairman, committee for strengthening Torah Judaism; Israel T. Notis, executive secretary. All Detroit Orthodox rabbis are members of the .Council. Red-Labeling of Rabbis Wise and Magnes Attacked by U. S. Jewish Leaders NEW YORK, (JTA)—Dr. Is- rael Golds t e i n, president of American Jewish Congress, and Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath, president of Union of American Hebrew Congregations, in a joint statement, castigated the House Committee on Un-American Activities for having "permitted the publication of the fantasti charges of ex-Communist lead- er (Benjamin) Gitlow" against the late Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, world-renowned leader of AJC and the World Jewish Congress, and the late Dr. Judah L. Magnes, president of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. A similar statement was issued by Dr. Irving Miller, president of the Zionist Organization o f America. Both men had been spiritual leaders of Reform congregations in the United States. Gitlow testified that both men were among a number of clergy- 7:3'7?,.'7171 ,rlirr'?t? Alt? men 'who carried out the in- structions of the Communist Party or collaborated with it." The statement pointed out that the two late Jewish leaders "were hailed the world over as among the most independent, courageous and moral figures of our generation." It added: "To charge them with having taken instruction from the Communist Party and having collaborated with it is a contemptible and vile desecration of two of the most noble and revered names in American Jewish history." The statement also expressed the "hope that this climatic revelation of the irresponsible character of the Committee's procedures will move the Amer- ican people to action in defense of their liberties." 24 DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Friday, September 18, 1953 OUR KIDDIES' It N E gi By Uncle David God is regarded as the righteous Judge who inscribes each indi- vidual in the "Book of Life" on the New Year, and seals the de- cree upon Yom Kippur. Peni- ' tence, prayer, and charity serve as man's intermediaries at this time. Essential to any real atonement are not only true re- pentance and prayer for - for- giveness, but also a change of heart, ennobling the will and To Thee we give ourselves today, resulting in an effort to do bet- Forgetful of the world outside; ter. Each human being should We tarry in Thy house, 0 Lord, stand before his Maker seeking From eventide to eventide. in honesty to make his record clean. . From Thy all-searching, right- This necessitates not only re- eous eye pentance, and the resolve to Our deepest heart can nothing tread the path of righteousness, hide; but retribution for whatever It crieth up to Thee for peace sinful deeds he may have com- From eventide to eventide. mitted toward his fellow man. Wherever it is possible, Jews Who could endure, shouldst - should make amends for any Thou, 0 'God, wrongdoing toward their fellow As we deserve, for ever chide? men, and bring about reconcilia- We therefore seek Thy pardon- tion between those who have ing grace been estranged from each other. From eventide to eventide. The day has a most whole- ' 0 may we lay to heart how swift some, spiritual influence. Its ap- The years of life do onward glide peal does not rest upon any So learn to live that we may see historical incident. It is not a commemoration, but a direct I Thy life at our life's eventide. The chanting of Kol Nidre, appeal to the human heart and the traditional prayer of re- conscience, an emphasis upon pentance for the Jewish people, the duty of personal communion will usher in Yom Kippur, the with God, the source of all Jewish Day of Atonement, righteousness, in the effort to known also as the "Sabbath make our human life as godlike of Sabbaths." With the setting as possible. The promise of par- of the sun tonight, Jews don for genuine penitence is throughout the world will begin ever present in the ritual of the a day of prayer, of self-scrutiny day, and divine forgiveness is and repentance. Worldly assured to those • whose repent- thoughts will be replaced by a ance is honest, and whose desire searching analysis of one's con- to return to a good life is gen- duct by each individual. Through uine. prayer and repentance for his I hope those of you who are sins, will he make peace with old enough to fast will have an , God and man, and renew his easy fast and that prayers of effort for a life of righteousness. young and old will come true. Once again I wish you a Hap- j Yom Kippur is the culmina- tion of a 10-day period of peni- py New Year. May you be in- tence which begins with the reli- scribed in the Book of Life for gious New Year. Traditionallyjoy and happiness. The solemn days 'of Rosh Hashanah are over, and this Sabbath we will observe the most sacred day of our calendar —the Fast of Yom Kippur, which we also call Day of Atonement. The late Dr. G. Gottheil once wrote a very inspiring poem, which he called "Day of Atone- ment" and which I wish to share with you. It follows: