Holy Land a Source of Comfort to Jewry

Judge William N. Lewis, writing in the Brithsholomite, official publication of the Brith Sholom order, says:

The world is in a state of confusion over moral principles. Racial antagonisms and religious differences are accentuated by irresponsible forces. Jews in many parts of the world have been among the most tragic sufferers from these sinister tendencies. That there is such a place as Palestine where Jews may come “as of right and not of sufferance.” as Winston Churchill phrased it, should be a source of comfort to the Jews and a cause for sympathetic support by Christians.

America, through the expressed approval of its various Presidents and through the unanimous adoption by both Houses of Congress in 1922 of the Lodge-Fish Resolution has looked with deep interest at the efforts of the Jewish people to reconstruct the ancient land. The Jewish citizens of America, during the past fifteen years, are said to have contributed about $100,000,000, in public funds and private investments, to the upbuilding of Palestine.

JEWS OF POLAND MUST BE CONSIDERED

The Canadian Jewish Chronicle, writing of the situation of the Jews in Poland, declares editorially:

It is most unfortunate that in some circles, the problem of the Jews of Germany has so monopolized our attention as to make us impervious to any other calls for help. The report that Mr. Leonard Montefiore, the president of the Anglo-Jewish Association, is responsible for the statement that the Jews of Germany have a lien (not exactly his words, but at least the substance) or our attentions is not in the best spirit of Jewish philanthropy.

We would like to know since when it has been a Jewish practice to make the alleviation of one part of Jewry practically an obsession, because that is what it amounts to if we are to close our ears to the distress of other branches.

This is no time to philosophize over the relative values of German Jewry and Polish Jewry in the fabric of Jewish life. All children are equally precious to a father, and a sympathetic parent will not hand over a whole loaf to one child, while the others are left to look on helplessly.

JEWISH COMMUNITY NEEDS IN PALESTINE

The New Judaea, official organ of the World Zionist Executive, comments as follows on the results of the session of the Palestine Assefath Hanivcharim:

The Third Elected Assembly of Palestine Jewry concluded its final session after adopting a series of resolutions.

One resolution emphasizes the fact that the program of expenditure of the new £2,000,000 loan of the government, providing for £133,000 for Arab school buildings, contains no provision at all for Jewish schools, in spite of the poor accommodation for the latter. Notwithstanding the present economic well-being of the country and the rising surplus revenue of government, the public services of the Jewish community are in financially stringent circumstances and urgently needed requirements are not satisfied.

Specific representations made are: an education grant on the basis of the present numerical proportion of the Jews to the whole population, in accord with the expected government education budget for 1933-36; a grant for Jewish school buildings in the towns; increased grant for Jewish medical services for which the Vaad Leumi is responsible; and a grant for new hospital buildings.

ANOTHER CHAPTER ADDED TO HISTORY

Writing on the results of the Saar plebiscite, the Jewish Exponent of Philadelphia comments editorially:

For the five thousand or more Jewish residents of the Saar, as well as for the others upon whom the Nazis are pouring their wrath, there is no alternative. Unless something entirely unforeseen happens, these will have to liquidate their affairs and, with the proverbial wanderstaff in hand, go out to seek shelter, possibly comfort and security, elsewhere.

Quite likely neighboring countries will do what they can to assuage the immediate pain. As in the past, the Jews in other parts of the world will come to their assistance. For all we know the Saar plebiscite may become a passing incident. The world will forget; and another chapter will be added to the painful story of Jewish exile.