(By our Helsingfors Correspondent)
There are three Jewish communities in Finland, the community of Helsingfors, Abo and Viborg. The community in Helsingfors numbers 1100 persons, Abo 250 and in Viborg 300. Until recently the Jews of Finland had to live under special laws originating in the Middle Ages. They had the right of domicile only in certain towns and their permits had to be renewed every six months. They were prmitted to engage only in commerce and crafts.
Since 1918 the position of Finnish Jews has been radically modified. They are fulfledged citizens and enjoy unrestricted equality. In the three cities mentioned, the Jewish communities own beautiful synagogues. The community of Helsingfors also has a Jewish high school which has the same standing as all other schools. It receives fifty percent. of its budget from the government.
The language of instruction in this school, which has been in existence nine years, is Swedish, but religion and other Jewish subjects are taught in the Hebrew language. The Finnish language is also taught.
The Helsingfors community has also erected a modern school building with a well fitted gymnasium. The Jewish communities in Helsingfors and Viborg have libraries, reading rooms and lecture rooms. Everything is done to raise the cultural standard of the Jewish population and to maintain interist in Jewish matters. A small Jewish newspaper is published in Helsingfors in Swedish.
During the war the Finnish Jews showed their readiness to make real sacrifices for their suffering brethren in other countries. They have also contributed generously to Palestine. The Executive Boards of the communities are also the Keren Hayesod committees. The large amount of $40 per capita is the contribution of Finnish Jewry for Palestine.
The Jewish communities are recognized by the government and have the right to tax their members. The badget of the Helsingfors community amounts to 350,000 Finnish marks (about $9,000) with an expenditure of about $15,000. A fund of 1,200,000 Finnish Marks ($30,000) was voluntarily subscribed in order to provide the salary of the rabbi without placing a burden on the current budget.
The economic position of the Jews is relatively good. The Jewish community takes special interest in sport, as does the rest of the population. The young Finnish Jew, Katz, who came in second to Nurmi at the last Olympiad, has made himself internationally known. The younger generation prefers the academic professions, for which there are good prospects in the country. The Jews do not suffer from anti-Semitism as in some other European countries. The question of the prohibition of the Schechita has been the order of the day several times. Twice the Jews had to suffer for some time under this prohibition, but they succeeded in obtaining a withdrawal of this measure.
The Finnish Jews are in close contact with the Jews in the Scandinavian countries. Professor David Simonsen of Copenhagen and Chief Rabbi Dr. M. Ehrenpreis of Stockholm have rendered important service to the Finnish Jews.
HIAS ISSUES APPEAL TO CONGREGATIONS FOR FUND
The Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of America, through John L. Bernstein, Chsirman of the Campaign Committee, has sent a letter to the presidents of the congregations and its 2500 directors throughout the country to permit an appeal for the Hias to be made in their respective synagogues on the coming High Holy Days.
“We especially appeal to the presidents and other officers of the various congregations throughout the country that appeals be made in their respective congregations in behalf of Hias and that committees be organized in each congregation to collect the pledges of the worshippers. Every Jew must deem it a sacred duty to help Hias in its present efforts to save our destitute brothers and sisters,” Mr. Bernstein stated in his letter.
At the last convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the following resolution was adopted; “Be it resolved, that we, the General Conference of American Rabbis endorse this activity of the above mentioned organization and that we urge upon American Jewish Public the fullest support of Hias appeal for funds.”
The Jewish Labor Organizations have adopted similar resolutions.
Hias is appealing for $500,000 with which to carry on the work that is being undertaken in conjunction with the lea and the Emigdirect.
Cardinal Barlassina. the Papnl representative in Jerusalem, Issued a statement denying authorship of an article circulated in the press of various countries in which anti-Zionist views were expressed.
The article was said to be based on a report submitted by the Cardinal to the Vatican Cardinal Barlassina stated he had sent no such report.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
