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David’s Star Interpreter for Immigrant Girl

July 26, 1928
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Nellie Toledano, aged 23, coming from Lisbon, Portugal, was among the immigrants who arrived on the SS. Patria on July 18 from that port. The immigration officials on board the steamer could not determine conclusively the nationality or the religion of the girl. The manifest stated that she was born in Brazil. She was discharged in custody of a non-Jewish organization the official of which tried to ascertain to whom the girl belonged, from where she came and what her racial origin was as well as her religion. Miss Toledano, however, spoke only Spanish and the worker of that organization did not understand her.

The representative of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society was on board and her colleague from the non-Jewish organization turned to her for aid paper a Mogen Dovid and a Cross The Hias worker drew on a piece of and placing the paper before the immigrant pointed with her finger to indicate which was the symbol of her faith. She pointed to the Mogen Dovid. The Hias worker to make sure, pointed to the Cross again. Miss Toledano shook her head and placed her finger on the Mogen David. The immigrant was then discharged to the Hias worker.

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