Scientific Institute Acts to Broaden Data on Jews

Resolutions encouraging enlarged study and collection of data on the Jews were adopted at the eleventh annual conference of the American section of the Yiddish Scientific Institute held over the weekend at the New School for Social Research and the Manhattan Opera House. A $25,000 campaign was announced to cover the organization’s budget.

At a banquet last night $3,300 was pledged for the campaign. A prize of $500 was announced for the best Yiddish manuscript on the life of the Jews in America and it was decided to publish a book annually on the Jews in America. Several hundred persons attended the conference.

A volume on the history of the Jewish press, in connection with its 250th anniversary, was placed on sale at the conference. Resolutions were adopted calling for a scholarship to an American Jewish seminary or secondary-school student at the Wilno Scientific Institute, enlarging the information service for universities on Jewish life and culture and endorsing the formation of the Jewish Joint Research Council combining all Jewish scientific organizations in America.

An institute to begin documentation of facts to combat Nazi racial theories was urged by Dr. Noah Maisel, of Riga, Latvia, representing the Wilno headquarters of the Yiddish Scientific Institute. Speaking on “Jewish Science in Our Times, ” ho said collection of data on Jewish life for the future historian was not sufficient, that the material must serve the research student of today.

The opening session was devoted to the Yiddish press anniversary with Dr. Chaim Zhitlewsky, Dr. Jacob Shatzky, S. Nigor, B.Z. Goldborg, Dr.A. Hukdeni and Zivyon among the speakers. At the banquet, Yudol Mark philologist, pointed out that the Yiddish language has 200,000 words B.C. Vladock presided.