The present developments in Jewish life, centering around the formation of the Jewish Agency with its promise of an all-Jewish unity for Palestine, kindled the imagination of an anonymous pamphleteer who hides behind the nom de plume of Ish Yahudi.
Thousands of copies of a leaflet which bears the inscription: “Composed, printed and issued by Ish Yahudi,” were circulated in Paris and sent to the editorial offices of Jewish newspapers, calling for “historic action.” The anonymous pamphleteer describes Zionism as “a false Messiah,” asserting that “Zionism has died because it could not live up to the magnificence of the Balfour Declaration.”
The author, apparently a religious fanatic, quotes the Pentateuch commandment: “Set a king over you,” and urges the Zionist Congress, now in session in Zurich, to declare Baron Edmund de Rothschild, benefactor of the early Palestine colonists, “King of the Jews.”
He further suggests the appointment of a Sanhedrin to “negotiate with His Brittanic Majesty regarding all Palestinian matters.” The Sanhedrin is to consist of 72 members, who are all to reside in Palestine, he suggests.
As a memorial to his wife. Mrs. Esther Lermon, a $15,000 educational fund was given to the Marks Nathan Jewish Orphans’ home, Chicago, by Samuel Lermon. The fund will be known as the Esther Lermon scholarship fund, the interest from which will aid Jewish young men and women in obtaining higher education.
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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.
