An appeal for $50,000 to help establish the Moscow Hebrew theatre Habima in Palestine was issued by a committee headed by Otto H. Kahn.
The committee has already raised $20,000 and the present sum sought is intended as a fund to keep the Habima movement alive during the next two years, in view of the fact that the home planned for the Habima in Palestine will not be ready before that time.
A representative of the committee will be sent to Palestine in the near future to select a site for the Habima theatre and to inquire into conditions in connection with this project.
In an appeal issued to a selected group, signed by Otto H. Kahn, chairman, Maurice Wertheim, vice-chairman and Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the unique character of the Habima theatre is emphasized and the necessity of its preservation is urged.
“We know of your interest in rare achievement and feel that the curious situation of some famous wanderers will appeal to you,” the appeal reads. “Because these are years of transition, it has seemed well to a few of us to attempt to preserve a unique artistic institution that it may bring into the future the value of a great tradition. We speak of the Habima Theatre of Moscow, the extraordinary Hebrew theatre whose artistry places it in the forefront of world producers and players.
“The Habima Theatre is unique in its preservation of an ancient tongue in all its purity and is noted for the individual creative capacities of its players, their original style, unusual intensity of artistic expression, and the harmony of their rhythms in songs and dances. It is unique, too, in that it is homeless and is wandering from one country to another, arousing enthusiasm everywhere, having roots nowhere.
“The distinction of the Habima players was long recognized and appreciated in Russia. Since the shifting of Russian destinies, the critics and publics of Paris, Berlin, Vienna and New York have witnessed their performances and thrilled to them. But, for the preservation of its tradition and the continuance of its artistic aims, for study and for development, the Habima Theatre must cease to make a circuit of world capitals and establish itself in a soil in which it can securely flourish. The Habima players and their friends consider that Palestine is the natural stage for their future. It is the only community in which Hebrew is a living language and there would, therefore, be instinctive harmony and understanding between the audience and the players. The traditions of Palestine would be a mighty source of inspiration for new creations,” the appeal states.
The other members of the Committee are Edward L. Bernaye, secretary Henry Alsberg, Feodor Chaliapin, Motty Eitingon, George S. Hellman, Samuel Lamport, Sam A. Lewisohn, Judge Julian Mack, Elias Rockmore, James N. Rosenberg and Solomon Poliakoff, managing director.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
