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Cleveland Teacher Back from Holy Land Declares That Palestine Absorbs Refugees

July 9, 1933
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“There are three classes of immigrants flowing into Palestine. They are the German-Jewish refugees, the investors with money and the youth.”

This observation is made by Philip Lamden, local Hebrew teacher and journalist, who recently returned from a year’s study of conditions in the Holy Land.

“The combination of these three distinct groups is serving to mold Palestine into a promising country that will some day take its place among the leading nations of the world. That is why Palestine is welcoming this new influx.”

Mr. Lamden saw many of the German Jewish refugees arrive there. Palestine is absorbing them rapidly, he claims. It has found in many of them people of inventive minds and creative ideas. Special bureaus have been established and care is taken to settle them comfortably.

As to the members of the professional class who have come from Germany, Mr. Lamden points out that each one of them is being aided to reestablish himself in various parts of the country. An effort has been made by the Hebrew University to take as many professors into their institution as would permit. The university would like to accommodate them all. It is doing its best to help them make a livelihood through private practice. An increase of opportunity for the professional is being created, he observes.

“Palestine needs as many executives, organizers and leaders in its industrial development as it can get. Those immigrants who have not found a livelihood in agriculture, which is one of the chief occupations there, have entered into industries. The most desired group to help build the industries at present is the investor—and there is plenty of opportunity even for small investments,” states Mr. Lamden.

While in Palestine, Mr. Lamden made a study of modern Hebrew literature. He interviewed most of the outstanding men in this field, among them Chaim Bialik, world renowned Hebrew poet and Professor Joseph Klausner, author of “The Life of Jesus.” He also interviewed A. Steinman and P. Lachovar, editors of the two Hebrew weeklies in Palestine.

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