Rabbi Meyer Berlin, Leader of Mizrachi, Leaves U.S. on His Return to Palestine

Rabbi Meyer Berlin, international President of the Mizrachi, the Orthodox wing of the Zionist movement, who came to the United States heading the Mizrachi delegation from Palestine composed of Chief Rabbi Uziel of Tel Aviv and Rabbi J. L. Fishman, sailed on the steamer “Olympic” for Europe Friday on his return to Palestine.

When interviewed by a representative of the Jewish Daily Bulletin before his departure Rabbi Berlin summarized his impressions of the present state of affairs in American Zionism and the outlook for the future. The reason for the present condition he stated, was the fact that the present Zionist leadership is composed of men who have been in the movement for a long-time and of elements who have joined the movement only recently. Because of the differences in attitude and in experience, cohesion of the two elements to produce fruitful results is a difficult problem which hampers the growth and fails to instill a new spirit, to shape new polices and to coin new slogans in accordance with changing conditions.

“None the less, one feels optimistic for the future of Zionism in the United States,” Rabbi Berlin declared. “Despite all the difficulties the movement is developing and expanding in a definite way. Great hope for Zionism in this country lies in the strengthening of the Mizrachi.

“It is a great mistake to believe that the Mizrachi is in rivalry with the general Zionist Organization. The contrary is ture. The Mizrachi idea deepens Zionist consciousness, particularly in the United States where the majority of the Zionist contributors are Orthodox Jews, members of congregations strongly inclined toward a religious view. The Mizrachi will strengthen and fortify the Zionist spirit and devotion for the reconstruction of Palestine. If the present leadership of the Mizrachi in the United States will succeed in enlisting increasing numbers of members of congregations in the Mizrachi organization by the establishment of Mizrachi societies in each synagogue–and I believe that this is possible–there will come added strength not only to the Mizrachi but to the Zionist movement at large. There is no more devoted Zionism than that which rests on the religious feeling.

“If it is true that the present reports coming from Palestine create depression among the Jews of the Diaspora, including America, it is certain that the day is not far off when new reports will take their place. Notwithstanding the difficulties of those enterprises, which are dependent upon the Zionist Organization and its funds, one can clearly see the sun Palestine. The growth of Haifa as a rising on the horizon of new work in harbor city, the development of many regions in Judea and Samaria by the planting of orange groves, the growth of Jerusalem and its environs through the inauguration of work at the Dead Sea and the entrenchment of many colonies which are now shedding their temporary form and assuming a more permanent foundation–all this is just ahead of us. When we add the coming Ruttenberg work, the development of the hot springs in Tiberias and similar projects, it is possible to expect a betterment in the situation in Palestine provided, however, that we will arm ourselves with the necessary patience to help those who need help until their situation improves.

“In my opinion the first condition for the betterment of the situation is that the financial investments made in Palestine for the development of the country be our own without dependence upon international loans. I do not believe that we are strong enough politically and otherwise to be able to receive too much aid from the outside without inviting difficulties in the future. Our task is to enlighten our own men of means as to the possibilities in Palestine not only for fulfiling the religious or national commandments but also to carry on business and make profits.

“When our men of affairs will begin to understand and believe in the economic power of Palestine perhaps we will not need any loans since the private investments will be enough. Through private initiative there will be opened a way for a new life of work and prosperity.

“My observation as to conditions in American Jewry I would like to sum up by saying that now, as ten years ago, there is still a great possibility for enlisting the aid of American Jews in the reconstruction of Palestine. Now as then the majority of American Jews, even when the extreme Reformers and the extreme radicals in the labor movement are not taken into account, do attach great importance to the Zionist movement and its aims,” Rabbi Berlin concluded.