VIEWS AND REVIEWS
"THE JEWISH YEAR."
The Federation of American Zionists has issued a valuable booklet in the shape of a manual of suggestions for literary work, for Zionist and other Jewish societies, arranged for every month of the year. The booklet is called "The Jewish Year." It has been prepared by the Committee on Education of the Federation, of which Dr. Julius H. Greenstone was chairman. The outlined plans for literary exercises and meetings should prove of great help to Zionist and other Jewish societies in arranging their educational work and public functions, and the neatly-printed brochure really fills a long-felt want among organizations of young people, who are endeavoring to foster Jewish knowledge and keep alive the Jewish spirit.
The chapters or divisions in the booklet are arranged under the heading of each month, and the chief historical or religious event of each month is given at the beginning of the paragraph. The Suggestive Questions will give food for thought to all those who are assigned to prepare papers or discuss the subjects considered. Some of these will also serve as topics for debate. The Subjects for Essays have been suggested with a view of satisfying the needs of the aspiring student, as well as those of other young men and women. The subjects that are given for debate are all suggestive and invite discussion.
Thus, for instance, there are the following questions given under the month of Ab: It is the ninth of Ab a national or a religious fast day? Can an irreligious Jew be a Zionist? Is the Jewish Religion a universal or national religion? What effect did the Babylonian Exile have upon Jewish life and thought? Is the Diaspora in any way beneficial to Judaism? What were the effects of the Spanish Exile? What was the status of the Marranos, and how can their apparently double life be justified? Is Jewish colonization in the Diaspora practical? Is there any benefit
to Judaism in the establishment of such colonies?
A short introductory chapter on the Jewish calendar has been added, which properly introduces the whole subject under consideration. The reference quoted are only to books readily accessible and published in the English language.
All orders should be addressed to the Office of the Federation, 200 East Broadway, New York City.
A PICTURESQUE PIONEER.
Under the heading of "Lunatic or Hero?" the following little article appeared in the Hebrew Standard, New York, for August 19;
At the "Hotel Chayim Boruch," in Jerusalem, they recently celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the arrival in Palestine of Yechiel Michel Halperin, a picturesque figure among the new pioneers in Palestine. A traveler who visited the celebration gave a striking account of it in Der Yiddisher Kaempfer, of this city.
"It was twenty-five years since he stood up in the synagogue in Wilna and in the presence of a Sefer Torah took an oath that he will thereafter relinquish the pleasures and advantages that were vouchsafed to him by his wealth, and that he will give up everything for the people of Israel and for the land of Israel. Twenty-five years have passed and he is still the same Halperin; has not changed in the least; the same enthusiast, the same dreamer, who is forever cherishing great and lofty plans, the same man in whose eyes glow the fire of youth.
"Who is Halperin? A watchman in the Hebrew gymnasium. I remember the time when I first saw him as I was standing and talking with a prominent lady of Jaffa. I saw him descend the steps with two pails in his hands, and going up to the pump, he began to draw water. He at once attracted my attention. He was barefooted and his head was uncovered, and he