Jewish Writers Club of N.Y. Appeals for Jewish Colonization in Russia

An appeal to the Jewish masses in the United States to support the Jewish colonization work in Soviet Russia was issued by the Jewish Writers Club of New York City, H. Rogoff is president of the Club.

The appeal, which was signed by a part of the membership of the Club, declares: “More and more encouraging messages concerning the growth and the development of the Jewish colonization movement in Soviet Russia are being received. Representatives of the Joint Distribution Committee and well known Jewish communal workers report unanimously that the settling of Jews on the land is a much greater success than could be dreamt of. What was, only several years ago, a quiet hope has become a joyous reality.

“In 1917 there were less than 50,000 Jewish colonists in Russia; today their number approaches 130,000. In the last two years alone over 40,000 Jews were settled on the land.

“Seldom in the history of colonization movements were such results achieved in such a short period of time and with such small means. This was possible only through the generous assistance on the part of the Soviet government on the one hand and of the Jews of America on the other hand. The Soviet government has given the Jews large stretches of fertile land in the Ukraine, Crimea and White Russia; it has granted the colonists credits for lumber to build houses and has freed them from taxation for the first few years and has supported the colonization with several American have, in a most hearty manner, assisted in this reconstruction process through large funds and technical means.

“The success of the colonization proves first of all the wonderful vitality of the Russian Jewish masses. The sufferings of the World War, the horrible pogroms, the upheavals of the revolution, the years of misery and hunger, all the stress and pain with which Jewish life in Russia has been filled, could not suppress Jewish energy, the desire to live and the power of adaptation.

“With an enthusiasm which causes the admiration of every observer, they now build new forms of life. Hundreds of Jewish Soviets, Yiddish courts, artisans associations, saving and loan Kassas, testify to the inexhaustable forces of the Jewish masses in Russia.

“In all fields of Jewish life there comes a renaissance. However, with all the superhuman efforts of the Jewish masses alone, with the entire support which the healthy movement receives from the Soviet government, the accomplishments are not as great as what could have been realized. There is a lack of financial means, of implements, of agricultural machines and of instruments. The Jewish masses which have gone through so much suffering and were afflicted so terribly are impoverished, the State can contribute but limited funds in this important movement.

“Support from abroad must be forthcoming. Support must come from here, from our American Jews who live in comparative prosperity, We must realize that the renaissance of the great Jewish community in Russia means also a renaissance for ourselves, for the entire Jewish people.

“We have already done something, but this is not sufficient. The large Jewish masses in America have by far not yet fulfilled their duty and they should not remain backward.

“We, the undersigned Jewish writers of America, appeal, therefore, to you, Jewish masses:

“Give your hearty support, give material assistance to the Jewish colonization work in Russia, give as much as you can and more than you can. A new epoch in the life of the Jews is beginning with the colonization movement in Russia. Be one of those who understand the importance of the historical moment and help to realize the great opportunity which Russian Jewry has now received after so much suffering, after so much blood and tears have been shed. Lend your hand! Join in this great reconstruction process.

“Hearken to this call. Jewish masses of America! Don’t fail to fulfill the duty which is dictated by one of the most fruitful moment in the history and the life of our people!”

Those who signed the appeal were:

M. Olgin, I. Opatasho, David Ignatov, I. B. Abramowitz, S. Almazov, E. Edlin Tromer, M. Boraisha (Menachem). Reuben Brainin, B. I. Byalastotksi. Isaac Bloom, I. B. Beilin, L. Bunk, M. Brown, H. Berman. A. Berger, B. Z. Goldberg, I. Glatstein, R. Granowsky, Ida Glazer. I.L. Dalidansky. S. Dingol, Ossip Dymow, Dr. B. Dubowsky H. Dreamer, Alexander Harkavi, Dr. B. Hoffman (Zivyon) Rachel Haltman, Philip Halpern, A, L. Wolfson, A. Vohliner, B. Vladeck. Z. Winper, B. Weinstein, M. Winograd, A. S. Sachs. G. Zelikovitz, A. Zeldin, I. Zar, B. Zalmanowitz, Joseph Chaikin, S. Chester, Nahum J., R. Ukelson, Dr. M. Katz, Aleph Katz. H. Lang, N. B. Lynder, Chaim Lieberman, B. Lappin, Z. Lieben, B. Levitan, A. Leiles-Glantz, Dr. S. Margoshes, I. Magidow, M. Melamed, Kalman Marmor, A. M. Mandelbaum. Jacob Milch, Chanan I. Minikes. B. Maimon (Ben Zion) D. L. Mekler. I. Mestel. S. Niger, P. Novik, B. Smolar, Shachne Epstein, S. Erdberg. Leon Elbe. B. Applebaum, Chaim Ehrenreich, M. Elkin, Dr. S. Elsberg, L. Feinberg, I. Faller, I. Piroznikow, S. Z. Zuckerman, L. Kobrin, Z. Kornblueth, L. Kernes, L. Crystal, I. Kissen, I. Krepliack. Isaac Klumak, S. P. Krammer, Jacob Kirschenbaum, Nechemia Kaplan. L. Kussman, Dr. M. Kaufman. B. Kantor. Aaron Kaplan, Abraham Reisen, Hillel Rogoff, A. Raboi. H. Rabinovitch, I. H. Radoshizky. Moses Rivlin, H. Rosenfeld, Leo Robins (L. Malkes), Abram Sawyer, Z. Sher, M. Shifres, B. Shelvin, Isaac Stein, Talush.

A huge mass meeting was called by the Writers Club for next Sunday, Nov. 28, to be held in the Central Opera House. The meeting will be held at 2 P. M. The purpose of the meeting, it was announced, is to express sympathy with the Jewish colonization work in Soviet Russia. David Pinski, Dr. Rosen, Reuben Brainin, Menachem, S, Niger and M. Olgin are among the speakers announced. Hillel Rogoff will preside.