Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.-Editor.]

The entrance upon the last stage of the negotiations for the completion of the Jewish Agency, as announced by Dr. Weizmann in his address before the Boston conference, is viewed with satisfaction by the “Day” of yesterday, which terms the Boston gathering “a conference of peace.” The paper writes:

“The attitude of the Boston conference was definitely in the direction of understanding and conciliation. And this was the attitude not only of the leadership but of the delegates as well.

“On the other hand,” the paper proceeds “the Marshall group on its part did not miss the opportunity to manifest its readiness to participate in the Palestine work. Felix Warburg’s contribution of $50,000 to the United Palestine Appeal must be regarded not as an individual contribution, but above all, as an evidence of the collective attitude of his group. And certainly the eloquent statement made by Mr. Marshall at the banquet of the Jewish Education Association, on the eve of the Boston conference, that every Jew must have a share in the Palestine work, must be viewed as a new proof that his group is willing after all to come to an understanding with the Zionist Organization.

“The Boston conference has taken a long needed step in the direction of peace. The Chicago J. D. C. conference recently took a similar step. The rapprochement has been made. This must now be followed by real cooperation.”

Because of the final arrangements for the establishment of the Jewish Agency and because of the various other important undertakings launched by the Zionists, the Boston conference marks the beginning of one of the most significant years in the Zionist movement, declares the “Jewish World” of Philadelphia, in its Nov. 22 issue. During the coming year, the paper points out-

“The Jewish Agency will have to be established definitely once and for all. The hope is that this will take place in the near future. No less important is the question of a national loan for Palestine. Something concrete will have to be done regarding this. If these things are carried out and if the United Palestine Appeal for $7,500,000 achieves its goal, then Zionism will have made a tremendous stride toward its final realization.”

The “Jewish Daily News” of New York dwells especially on Dr. Weizmann’s emphasis on the importance of the colonization phase in the Palestine reconstruction work. The paper agrees with Dr. Weizmann that more attention must be devoted to colonization, and observes:

“It must be admitted that the Zionist organization. since the Balfour Declaration, has not done as much in the field of colonization as it should have. There are today tens of thousands of dunams of uncultivated land in the possession of Jews in Palestine. One of the chief reasons for the neglect of this work is the lack of funds by the Zionist organization. Colonization is very expensive, but no country can be settled without it. Colonization is also a slow process, but it is a sure one.”

ROSENWALD’S WORK FOR THE NEGRO

Julius Rosenwald’s activities in the direction of educational advancement among the Negroes are the subject of an editorial in a recent issue of “Opportunity,” a Negro organ, wherein we are told:

“In the Rural Schoolhouse Construction Report and the Community School Plans Bulletin No. 3, issued by the Julius Rosenwald Fund, Mr. Alfred K. Stern, director, gives further evidence of the deep and spreading influence of the beneficence of Julius Rosenwald and the efficient administration of his fund. The Julius Rosenwald Fund was incorporated in 1917 under the laws of Illinois for charitable, scientific, educational and religious purposes.

“For the year ending June 30, 1926, the Julius Rosenwald Fund contributed toward the construction of 493 buildings-479 schools and 14 teachers’ homes. The amount of land on which these schools are located is 1,448 3/4 acres or an average of 3 acres to each school. The 493 completed buildings and the 57 added rooms cost $2,467,755. contributed by Negroes, $447,400 the whites $94,923, the public school authorities $1,523,601, and the Julius Rosenwald Fund $401,831.”

SAMARITAN AND LEVITE

“It is a true Christian spirit,” declares the N. Y. “Times” of Sunday, “that expresses itself in the call that has been made by Dr. S. Parkes Cadman, President of the Federal Council of Protestant Churches, and Judge Victor J. Dowling, speaking with the approval of Cardinal Hayes as representing those of the Catholic faith-a call for relief of the Jews in Central and Eastern Europe.

“Nothing could be more healing and heartening than the Samaritan and the Levite should together minister to those who have been left half dead on the twentieth century road to Jericho. In the parable it was he that ‘showed mercy’ without regard to race or religion that proved himself neighbor to the Jew in distress. The admonition was: ‘Go thou and do likewise.’ It is a command no less imperative for the Christian Samaritan than for the Jews.”

The United Jewish Campaign drive in Allentown, Pa., was launched last Sunday at a dinner in the Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue, which was attended by two hundred and fifty of the most prominent Jews in Allentown.

Allentown’s quota in the fund is $40.000, of which amount $28,000 was subscribed on the opening night. The drive here will continue during the present week.