Dr. Israel Wechsler, neurologist and member of the board of govenors of the Hebrew University, will sail for Palestine on the Conte de Savoia, Thursday. His mission will be to investigate the possibility of establishing a neurological department there.
An enthusiast on the sbject of developing Hebrew University, Dr. Wechsler regrets the lack of interest which the Jews in general have displayed towards the development of this institution. Rather humorously, he calls it the “step-child” of the Jewish people.
“Instead of arousing the interest which a spiritual movement like that should awaken, it has not received the attention nor support which it deserves,” he said.
“The university has a few devoted friends in America” these are the Friends of the Hebrew University, the American Jewish Physicians’ Committee and the Haddasah. In view of the present emergency, it is great pity that the university was not much stronger financially, in order to be stronger financially, in order to be able to invite eminent scholars and scientists from Germany.
“All its friends are making a great effort now to strengthen the university, in order to enable it to play an important role both in Palestine, and as the university of the Jewish people.”
The American Jewish Physicians’ Committee, of which Dr. Wechsler is a member, and the Hadassah, are now engaged in a campaign for a university hospital. They expect to lay the foundation for a future medical department. The university has already enlisted the services of one eminent scientist for the medical department, and hopes to engage a few more in the very near future.
Dr. Wechsler’s stay will last about three weeks.
“I want to see,” said the doctor, “what special departments can be organized. Being a neurologist, I am naturally interested in the department of neurology, psychiatry, and neuro-surgery. I feel that the organization of such a department, of which there is a great need, not only in Palestine, but in the whole Near East, will add, to the welfare of the country, and to the prestige of the university.”
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.
