New ‘capitol’ in Jerusalem Now Occupied

Carpenters and gardeners are still applying the finishing touches to the Jewish “capitol” here, but the tenants have already moved in.

The chief agencies of the Zionist movement—the Vaad Leumi, the Keren Hayesod, the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund—are housed in buildings of white Jerusalem stone grouped in a semi-circle about a courtyard at Keren Kayemeth street and King George avenue.

This is the hub around which Jewish life in Palestine and much of the rest of the world revolves. Cablegrams, telegrams, letters and personal visitors keep the various staffs on the hop.

THE HERZL ROOM

Each building has a distinguishing characteristic. The Jewish Agency structure has an expansive assembly hall on the top floor to be used for large gatherings. The Herzl room in the Keren Kayemeth building contains the desk at which the Zionist pioneer wrote many of his most important documents, as well as his pen, private library and pictures from his home.

A tour of the building reveals they are furnished almost completely with products of local manufacture. Leather of fine grain covers the tables in the hall of the Keren Hayesod building.

A GIFT FROM GERMANY

Hand-woven fabrics used as curtains and upholstery in some of the large rooms and offices are indicative of a new and rapidly growing industry here. The Keren Kayemeth board room furniture is of local eucalyptus wood.

One exception to the rule of using home made products is the large run in the meeting hall of the Keren Hayesod building. This floor covering was brought from Germany by an immigrant and presented as a gift.