Viscountess Erleigh, speaking at a reception given her by the British Section of the Jewish Agency and the Keren Hayesod Committee at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Marks, on her return from Palestine, said that her first and strongest impression of Palestine was one of progress. Palestine had not escaped the world depression, but the people were full of courage and meant to carry on the tremendous work. There was progress in Palestine, not only materially, but spiritually. The people were becoming self-reliant, and they were looking less for support from outside.
If they spoke about lack of immigration, she was very glad to say that there was no lack of multiplication; she meant, of course, in children. They were born in great numbers, they were healthy and well cared for, and there were marvellous kindergartens. The people felt most passionately that they must keep the educational standard up, even though they were unable to pay some of the teachers.
She was glad to report progress between the Mandatory Power and the Jewish people in Palestine, and things were now a little easier and better.
The final impression that remained with her was that Zionism was no longer a hope; it was a fact that all Jewry had to reckon with. By taking part altogether in the work for Palestine, they were taking part in immortality.
Mr. Marks, who was in the chair, said that the saddest point in Lady Erleigh’s report was the fact that the teachers were not being paid. They had had to modify many of the great plans and schemes in Palestine owing to the reduction in their income, and unfortunately somebody had to suffer.
They in this country had not done so badly compared with other countries in the collection of money. This year they had so far collected £16,000 against £27,000 last year. He had seen Dr. Weizmann that evening, Mr. Marks said, (Dr. Weizmann arrived at the gathering during the evening) and he had told him that his visit to South Africa had resulted in £63,000 being collected.
Professor Brodetsky said that they had undertaken in this country to complete the Ramat David Colony in Palestine in honour of the distinguished services rendered to the cause of Zionism by Mr. David Lloyd George. The plans were very far from being realised, and he appealed to all of them to do something to make it worthy of the man, so that they could show it to him with great pride when he visited Palestine in the near future.
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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.
