Home > Blog > WHC > When the News Covered the High Holy Days
Today, when we think about the High Holy Days at Washington Hebrew Congregation, we picture full sanctuaries, livestreams reaching members across the country, and services that are part of the very fabric of Jewish life in our nation’s capital. But in the 19th century, long before television cameras or social media, the way the wider Washington community encountered the Jewish New Year was often through the pages of the daily newspaper.
For our congregation, which was founded in 1852, those moments of public recognition carried enormous weight. They placed WHC on the civic map of a city still finding its own identity, and they affirmed that Jewish tradition belonged in the nation’s capital.
In 1864, with the Civil War still raging and Washington itself under heavy strain, the Evening Star took notice of the Jewish New Year:
“The Jews throughout the world commenced last evening at sundown the celebration of ‘Rosh Hashana,’ or the incoming of the 5,625th year of their era, dating from the creation of the world.”
For WHC, then only a dozen years old, this kind of visibility showed that the congregation was both rooted in tradition and woven into the civic life of the capital.
“The ceremonies of the festival are of the most impressive character, as, independent of the religious services, it is an occasion when congratulations are exchanged among friends, differences adjusted between enemies, and general good will prevails.”
Just over a decade later, in 1877, WHC had grown in membership and stature, and the Critic and Record not only recognized the holy day but also pointed to the central role of the synagogue in Washington’s religious landscape. For a Jewish community that was still small in number, such coverage offered both validation and reassurance.
The article describes the Temple at 8th & I as being “brightly illuminated at an early hour.” Services were “conducted by Rabbi L. Stern and were of the most solemn and beautiful nature.” The scene was lively, with “a great number of ladies present and the delicious odor of exotics filled the air.” The sense of community was palpable, with members rushing to “wish him a happy new year” at the end of services. The article recounts how “The hand-shaking became general then throughout the congregation, and anon the hearty smack of kisses among the male and female members was heard to such an extent that it caused the reporter of THE CRITIC to leave in a hurry.”
By 1925, technology began to play a role in the observance of Rosh HaShanah. The Washington Post reported that “Observance of Rosh Hashana, the feast of the Jewish New Year, was continued yesterday in all local synagogues with the performance of ancient Hebraic rites, special music and prayer.” While the traditions remained, there was “an ultra-modern touch…added to the services by the broadcasting of the notes of [the Shofar] at the Eighth Street Temple through radio station WCAP.”
Rabbi Abram Simon conducted the services, and “reviewed events of the year as they affected Jewry in all parts of the world in a sermon.” This use of radio to share the services with a wider audience was a significant step, bridging the gap between a traditional, in-person gathering and the reach of new technology. It’s a testament to the forward-thinking nature of our congregation, embracing innovation while honoring our sacred traditions.
These articles did more than inform readers of services taking place; they represented moments of inclusion. At a time when Jews were still establishing their place in American society, WHC’s recognition in the secular press underscored that our congregation was part of the broader rhythm of city life.
The 19th-century coverage of WHC’s High Holy Days also reminds us how public acknowledgment matters. Just as newspapers then helped normalize the presence of Jewish worship in the capital, today’s digital platforms allow us to share our traditions widely, ensuring that Jewish voices and practices remain visible in the community and beyond.
Looking back at these clippings, we see more than quaint historical notes. We see evidence of WHC’s long-standing role as a bridge between Jewish life and the broader Washington community. We can also see how the core values of our congregation have remained constant — community, prayer, and a deep reverence for our history and traditions.
While the methods of observance have evolved from a “brightly illuminated” Temple to a radio broadcast and now, to the livestreamed services of today, the spirit of Rosh HaShanah remains the same. We continue to gather, whether in person or virtually, to welcome the New Year, reflect on the past, and look forward to a future filled with hope and blessings.
Special thanks to WHC Archivist William Davis for unearthing these wonderful news clips.
