Abraham Herman, President of the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of America returned on the Majestic following a two months tour in Europe. Mr. Herman studied Jewish conditions in Poland, Roumania, Germany, France, Latvia and Lithuania, with special reference to the question of emigration. He conferred with the leaders of the Jewish Colonization Association and the United Jewish Emigration Committee of Europe in respect to the new work undertaken by Hias in conjunction with these organizations in s##tling Jewish immigrants in South America and other countries.
“I have come back from my trip all the more convinced that immediate steps must be taken to settle the thousands of Jewish wanderers, who must leave their native countries because of economic and other conditions, in countries where they can establish themselves and earn a livelihood under favorable circumstances,” Mr. Herman said.
“While general conditions in Europe have somewhat improved, as far as Jewish immigrants are concerned, the problem has by no means been solved. The general economic stress as well as the continued anti-Semitism make it imperative that the situation be relieved in order that these immigrants, who formerly would have come to this country should go to other countries. Hias, together with the Ica and the Emigdirect are now opening up settlements in South America and other countries. In Europe these immigrants are being prepared for emigration. They are taught the language of the country to which they are going and given instruction in various trades. Many immigrants are being fitted for farm work. In several South American countries committees have already been formed for the reception of these immigrants and there is every reason to believe that through this concerted effort Jewish immigrants will be permanently helped.
“The inability of wives and children to join their husbands and fathers in this country in a reasonable time” Mr. Herman continued, “is working great hardships and the concensus of opinion is that the American government, in a spirit of humanitarianism, should facilitate the coming of these families to join the breadwinners here.”
Mr. Herman was met at the pier by the directors of the Hias.
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.
