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To the Editor, Jewish Daily Bulletin:
Mr. Smolar states in his column of December 18 that in the face of the grave situation of the Jews in Eastern Europe, who are desperately in need of financial aid, Palestine, as a prosperous and economically one of the most fortunate countries on the globe, has no right to demand an equal share of the money raised by the Joint Distribution Committee in cooperation with the Zionist Organization.
It seems to me that Mr. Smolar’s conception of constructive means to normalize the economic position of the Jews in the Diaspora, as well as his attitude toward the issues involved in the process of the upbuilding of Palestine, are not in accordance with the best interests of world Jewry.
It is true that capital is flowing into Palestine, and that most of the inhabitants of our land earn their daily bread. But at the same time we must realize that our national funds, the Keren Kayemeth and Keren Hayesod are still of prime importance in the effort to redeem our land. It was proven in the last few years that Palestine is the nearest approach in solving, in a constructive way, the dilemma of the young Jews in Eastern Europe and Germany.
Palestine can absorb thousands more chalutzim, but the possibilities cannot be utilized by the Zionist loan of $2,500,000 which Mr. Smolar found sufficient to meet the Agency’s expenditures, not realizing that the money will be used exclusively for the stabilizing of the older colonies, so that the new yearly contributions to the Keren Hayesod will, in the main, go for the construction of new agricultural settlements.
A. Lifshitz.
Dec. 24, 1934.
New York City,
JEWS IN SYRIA
To the Editor, Jewish Daily Bulletin:
Contrary to the thought voiced in Mr. Smolar’s article in the issue of December 23, regarding a clash between Zionists and non-Zionists in the matter of Jewish immigration to Syria, I think the entry of Jews to Syrian territory but furthers the aims and ideals of Zionism.
Syria, adjacent to Palestine, was in Biblical times, specifically during the reign of King David, a part of the Promised Land. If the Biblical prophecies regarding the return of the Jews to their ancient land are to be fulfilled, then present-day Syria will become part of the Jewish Homeland.
Therefore, say I, more Jews in Syria!
Michael Katzman.
December 24, 1934,
New York City.
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.
