into national cultures of the most different kinds, and even successfully to engage in them up to the very point at which talent borders on genius, does at least not speak against the belief that were a Jewish national culture in existence, the productivity which the Jews possessed in ancient times would once more manifest itself." And Von Hartmann can hardly be regarded as philo-Jewish! This great philosopher has here given expression to a very deep verity, in so far as the principle is concerned. We have seen, however, that even under existing, unfavorable conditions, genius is by no means a rare manifestation among Jews.
The effort to create a renaissance of Jewish culture and of the Jewish race by reliance on the natural endowment present in the raw material of the great masses, together with the influence of the long periods of past history—efforts which result from such considerations—come into fruitful combination with the revolt against the continual domination of traditional ideas and the endeavor to free what is original and spontaneous from the fetters of traditional values—of conservatism; a revolt and an endeavor which are making themselves felt among all progressive peoples, and by which alone an unhindered, free and natural creative activity can become possible. At the same time they are a remedy for the economic and spiritual poverty of the Jews and a salvation from their oppression and depression through
THE ZIONIST ORGANIZATION ANDTHE BASLE LIFE INSURANCECOMPANY.
The Actions Committee has concluded an agreement with the Basle Life Insurance Company whereby the company will establish a Jewish department comprising all insurances effected by the company with Jews in all parts of the world. The Basle Company has undertaken to grant all Jews whom it insures and also the Zionist Organization a number of definite benefits, and it has also agreed, on certain conditions, to invest in Palestine a portion of
anti-Semitism. They would bring about a physical and psychical improvement of the race. They would convert the cramped and crippled life of the Jews in the East into a Jewish national life. Lastly, in meeting the seriously threatening danger of dissolution, they would preserve for the world a race highly endowed with the promise for the service of humanity.
We have said nothing about the tremendous effect of the religion to which Jews have given birth, and which can hardly be compared with anything at all in the world of culture. We have also said nothing about Judaism in the wider sense, the Jewish spirit lurking in modern civilization and the most important spiritual movements of our time; as, for instance, in socialism and in philosophy. We have purposely limited ourselves to the achievements of Semites in material culture and to the purely scientific investigation of our problem.
But even if the Jewish people should show itself incapable of rising to the great responsibilities, of realizing the possibilities which lie within it, none the less the fear of the reproach that they belong to an inferior race is simply the product of sickly imagination, the consequence of historical, biological, anthropological errors which hope worked banefully; and it is to be hoped that the future, which will dispel them, will free the way for upward-striving peoples.
—The Jewish Review, London.
its premium reserves derived from Jewish insurances in Turkey. The Zionist Organization has the right at any time to examine the affairs of the Jewish department of the Basle Life Insurance Company.
The conclusion of this agreement thus secures for every Jew insured by the Basle Company, no matter in what country he lives, a stipulated benefit and will also be an increasing source of income for the Zionist Organization. In these doubts that the conclusion of the agreement will meet with a friendly reception in all Zionist circles and that the Basle Company can reckon upon their co-operation.