J. D. B. News Letter

The first world congress of Zionist student corporations will take place here, July 22. At the conference there will be representatives from eleven countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Esthonia, Poland, Roumania, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Czechoslovakia, France and Switzerland. The greatest number of delegates— nearly 100—is expected from Poland, representing 23 corporations. Altogether 250 delegates are expected and among them are representatives of the first student corporation of Jerusalem University, “EL EL.”

The idea of calling the conference originated with the Riga corporation, “Hashmenoi.” The conference is regarded as the first step towards the creation of a world union of Jewish students. Since it is impossible to carry out this plan at once, it was decided to accomplish it step by step. The first step that is being taken is that of uniting all Zionist student bodies, because by their very nature these groups can be more easily united than others. A union of the Zionist bodies will serve as a basis for a later union of all Jewish student bodies. The conference will occupy itself with the problem of coordinating the activities of the Zionist groups, such as conducting Zionist propaganda, work for the Keren Hayesod, Keren Kayemeth and support for the Halutzim movement.

The problem of how Zionist instructors may adapt themselves to the Palestinian environment will be especially considered. An interesting plan will be brought forward at the conference, to wit, that each Zionist student body assume responsibility for a “Kvutza,” or communal settlement in Palestine, or for another Palestinian institution. Another plan suggests that all Zionist groups together assume responsibility for some branch of Palestine activity, such as the school system perhaps.

The conference will also take up the question of conducting propaganda in favor of the corporation form among Jewish students, for the establishment of Jewish corporations in all universities and for acquiring future members for these corporations by the establishment of student circles in the secondary schools. The conference will also consider how best to carry on the fight against the numerus clausus. It will choose the Jewish representatives to the World Student Union of the League of Nations. Every nation has its representatives in this student commission. Hitherto the Jews have been represented by Dr. Lauterbach,

Undoubtedly the most important discussion on the agenda will be that on the situation existing today in the Zionist movement. Vladimir Jabotinsky will address the conference as the representative of the Revisionists.