Travel Notes

For the past few years the steamship companies have noted an ever increasing interest in Soviet Russia. So important have bookings to Russia become, that the travel department of the Amalgamated Bank has made special travel arrangements for the convenience of teachers and doctors. An opportunity to study the educational system of the U.S.S.R. is offered the former and the physiological congress in Russia this Summer is an inducement to the latter. To the layman is promised an opportunity to study Russian life at first hand.

Palestine is another country that has been attracting American-Jewish tourist trade. The Amalgamated Bank has arranged a special tour on the Roma which will include both Russia and Palestine. To assure their passengers every cooperation, the bank is placing Dr. Edward Cohen of their department in charge. This will be Dr. Cohen’s seventh trip to Russia.

Another seasoned traveler who is taking a group of tourists under his wing this Summer is Charles Fruton of the Eastern European Department of the Cunard White Star Line. In July 5 Mr. Fruton is leaving with a party on the special excursion to Palestine, Poland, and Soviet Russia on the Berengaria.

Mr. Fruton has recently returned from an extensive tour of Palestine and is particularly qualified to answer any questions relative to present day economic and travel conditions. Mr. Fruton stresses the fact that his ship affords a strictly kosher table and opportunity to observe the Sabbath.

Messrs. Schechter and Berman of the Central Steamship Agency agree that Russia, Palestine, and Poland are attracting large numbers of tourists this Summer. The popularity of the North Cape Cruises have not abated, however, they claim.

Berthold Gumyel, a director of the Palestine Shipping Company, arrived in New York and issued the following statement to the Anglo-Jewish Press:

“The Palestine Shipping Company was founded exclusively by Jewish business-men and its whole capital is in Jewish hands. The manager in Palestine is Dr. Ginsberg, well known in Zionist circles, and the Haifa office is in charge of Bernard Hirskovich.

“The kitchen is strictly kosher, wines are from the Richon le Zion cellars. There is a Synagogue and prayer books for all Jewish holidays. Already seventy per cent of the crew is Jewish and other Jews are employed as fast as they are trained for the sea. The ‘Tel Aviv’ at present gives a living to about 400 Jewish families in Eretz Israel.

“The S.S. ‘Tel Aviv’ is the beginning of a merchant marine for the Jewish National Home and her export trade.”