Plan to Add Medical School and Hospital to Hebrew U.

Plans for the establishment of a medical school and university hospital at Jerusalem as part of the Hebrew University, that will provide for a number of German-Jewish scientists and students who have lost their positions in Germany, were announced Saturday by Dr. Nathan Ratnoff, president of the American Jewish Physicians’ Committee, at its annual meeting at the Jewish Club.

The situation in Germany, Dr. Ratnoff pointed out in his report, makes it essential to widen the scope of the Hebrew University in line with the decision of the board of governors of the university last summer. Applications and requests for positions have already been received in large numbers from some of Europe’s most distinguished scientists, he said, who are asking “merely for a place to work in peace. They are interested only in securing the barest economic necessities and the assurances that opportunities for study and for intensive research will be made available in a friendly atmosphere.”

The committee will launch an appeal for funds for the project, it was announced. Assurances of support already received, it was said, make it evident that the medical school and university hospital will be rushed to completion.

Since its inception, the American Jewish Physicians’ Committee, which includes over 500 prominent American Jewish physicians, has been active in support of the Hebrew University. Its activities include the purchase of a ten-acre plot at Mount Scopus as the site for the medical school building, the maintenance of the Microbiological Institute headed by Professor Adler and the maintenance of the chemical laboratory. Other activities include maintenance of the Dr. Julius Jarcho Medical Library as well as the equipping, in collaboration with the Hadassah Medical Organization, of an X-Ray institute at the university.