AMERICAN JEWS FROM ROUMANIA
Mr. O. Leonard has addressed the following letter to the Jewish public:
The Jews in Roumania are passing again through a crisis. The government is doing its best to make their lot more unbearable every day. They are driven from villages and even small towns, en masse. The notice given them before banishment is so short that they have to dispose of their possessions under the worst possible conditions. Every day finds hundreds of men, women and children homeless. Every night descends on thousands of shelterless persons, whose only crime is that of being Jews.
There can be but one result from all these persecutions. The Jews who are driven from the villages and towns turn their eyes in one direction, and that is America, which receives able-bodied persons in her arms, giving him (or her) the possibility to live like a human being, a good son or daughter to a kind mother.
It is therefore natural to conclude that immigration from Roumania to America will take place again on an extensive scale. The story of 1900 will repeat itself. American cities will then be filled again with Jews of Roumania looking for the opportunity to earn bread.
If such an immigration is to take place it 'seems that there is a duty falling upon the shoulders of those who had the good fortune of coming to America earlier and of becoming Americans in language, customs and ideals. Are we going to do our duty toward those who are being made shelterless and homeless in Roumania and who will come to ‘our shores? on 0
If we intend to do something for them, let us get together and take counsel that we may learn from one another what 'to do: What the newly-arrived immigrant needs is not so much financial aid as he.needs the helping hand of @ brother. The hand which gives alms may
be of some use, but the hand which is stretched out to a brother to help out of misery is the most useful.
This thought leads to the conclusion that an organization composed of natives of Roumania who are now engaged in various American cities in the professions —such as physicians, lawyers, teachers, professors, rabbis, business men, writers, newspaper men, manufacturers, etc.—could do a great deal for the new arrivals from Roumania.
The work of the organization should consist of getting into personal touch with the newly arrived immigrants. The members should use their influence in trying to find work for these immigrants and to give them moral encouragement and make them see the better days that are in store for them.
They shall see to it that the newly-arrived immigrants take the first steps to secure naturalization papers and become American citizens.. They shall help them understand American institutions, encourage them to continue their education in the night schools, and preparatory schools, where such course is oracticable and desirable.
A great many intelligent young men who would "make good" in the professions waste their lives in shops and factories for the simple reason that no one encourages them to study.
These and many more things could be accomplished by such an organization. But in order to succeed in its work the organization must be composed of the intellectual element of the Roumanian Jewry in this country.
It is certain that in order to do effective work along the lines suggested it would be necessary that men and women of either national influence or of power in their respective communities, take up this work.
The writer of these lines does not think it fair to take it upon himself to formulate the plans for such an organization in every detail. He merely gives it as a suggestion to the Jews who hail from Roumania and who are now engaged in the professions. He would like to hear from those interested in the formation of such organization. All communications should be addressed to O. Leonard, 2817 Gamble street, St. Louis, Mo.