The Maccabaean

The Zionist Society of Engineers was organized June 25, 1917, at Baltimore, Md., by several Engineers who were delegates to the Zionist Convention.

The aim of the Society is to utilize the technical knowledge and training of Jewish engineers to help:

(a) Make a survey of the natural resources of Palestine.(b) Plan and aid the upbuilding of Palestine along scientific lines.(c) Project and develop the possible industries in Palestine.

The task before the Society is a great and noble one and we trust that the capacity of our people to meet emergencies and rise to occasions will show itself splendidly where we for the first time after thousands of years begin to build for ourselves.

The Society devotes itself to the gathering of necessary data about Palestine from all available sources and also is evolving scientific projects for the development of Palestine. The Society in the short time of its existence has made splendid progress; its membership is about thirty and includes men that are well known in the enginéering profession. The work of the Society is divided into ten departments as follows:

Surveying and Mapping Department.—This department is to make a precise survey of Palestine for the purpose of mapping, topography, hydrography, hysography, etc.

Sanitary Department.—This department is to devote itself to plan water supply, sewerage, sewage disposal, etc.

Structural Department.—This department is to devote itself to plan bridges, piers, dams, harbors, etc.

Transportation Department.—This department is to devote itself to plan highways, railroads, navigation, etc.

Electrical Department.—This department is to devote itself to hydro-electric development, illumination, telegraph, telephone, etc.

Mechanical Department.—This department is to devote itself to power plants, motor vehicles, machinery, etc.

Reclamation Department.—This department is to devote itself to irrigation projects with a view of reclaiming and bettering the soil.

Industrial Department.—This department is to gather statistics and study the possible development of industries with a view of suggesting and advising interested capital.

Chemical Department.—This department is to devote itself to research and possibilities in the chemical field.

Architectural Department.—This department is to devote itself to evolve standard architectural plans with reference to economy and beauty for dwellings. etc.

The Society, in the spirit of the Maccabees of old, calls the Jewish engineers, chemists, architects, and scientists, both those who are willing to go to Palestine as pioneers and those who are willing to assist in our work, to join it and help rebuild our fallen structure.

JEWISH COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FRATERNITIES THANK GREAT BRITAIN

The quinquennial Menorah Convention at its last session in Earl Hall, Columbia University, passed with acclamation a resolution expressing gratification with the Declaration of the British Government that it would support the establishment of a Jewish Homeland in Palestine.

Professor I. Leo Sharfman, of Michigan University, in supporting the resolution declared that this body of Jewish students could not allow this great historic occasion to pass without an expression of deep appreciation.

The following resolution was passed: “Whereas the Intercollegiate Menorah Association has for its purpose the study and advancement of Jewish Culture and Ideals, and whereas the historic Declaration of the British Government, speaking through the Rt. Hon. Arthur James Balfour, opens up a great opportunity for the further progress of Jewish Culture and Ideals, be it resolved that the Intercollegiate Menorah Association in Convention assembled hails with joy the foregoing Declaration that

‘His Majesty's Government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.’ ”

The kindness of the MACCABAEAN gives me the opportunity on this the feast of Purim, our sixth anniversary, to send a word of greeting to our sister Hadassahs.

Another year has passed, a year full of hard work, of heartache, yet not without its satisfactions.

The year 5678—1917 will stand in ow history as a beacon-light, to mark, through all the ages, two memorable dates for us Zionists. First is the declaration of Mr. Arthur Balfour on November 3rd. And on the second day of Hanukkah Jerusalem was delivered.

For many years we have devoted our energies and strength to the attempt to make a reality that which all, except the most idealistic of us, viewed as more or less of a fond dream. But even though it was a vague possibility, we strove and planned unceasingly. How much more should we do now, with what zeal should we redouble our efforts, since the eyes of all the world are upon us; some kindly, some hostile, but all questioning whether or no we can rise to the occasion and justify the raison d’être of our existence.

The taking of Jerusalem during the won derful week of Hanukah, the realization of our hopes, so near now, should inspire every Jew at this moment.

For twenty centuries the solemn prayer oi the Jew has re-echoed not only through the hills and valleys of the land of the Fathers, bu! of the four corners of the earth to which he had been dispersed: Yibneh Yerushalayim— May Jerusalem be rebuilt!

Twenty years of practical work in Palestine has brought nearer the realization of our long-cherished hope. But this is only a beginning. To us has been entrusted the work of rebuilding. A publicly recognized, legally secured home in Palestine has been the watchword of the Zionists. Now the crucial moment is at hand. Can we women of Israel realize what is expected of us?

Work, work, work should be our answer. It is the duty of each member of our organization to make her Chapter stronger each day. Although we are still in our infancy—we are only six years old—we number 47 Chapters; that is to say, we have 47 groups of loyal workers united in one sacred bond. Some of our Chapters are in the first year of their existence, but their untiring zeal and enthusiasm for the cause inspires us all. In our offices in New York we receive daily a token of their devotion to our aims and ideals in the form of the thousands of garments which they send to our Central Committee. Here they are heaped up ready for the day—now so near at hand—- of their journey to Palestine.

But we are at the very beginning of our work. With the dawning realization of our hopes come new responsibilities, each entailing new sacrifice. Noblesse oblige. We could not, if we would, ignore them. The testing instance is the Restoration Fund, the cornerstone. Rosh Pinah, of “a national home for the Jewish people.”* There can be only one answer to its call. By its success will we be

judged. Ce que femme veut, Dieu le veut. Hadassahs, one and all, let the balance not find us wanting.

Because it has been my privilege to know many of our members, many of our earnest and self-sacrificing workers in the different cities, I take the liberty of saying to you all: Let us redouble our efforts, let us lose no opportunity to accomplish our task, let us each day increase our Zionist activities a step further. Let each of us realize that the responsibility of the hour is her responsibility. Aruchat Bat Ammi—“The healing of the daughter of my people” is our sacred motto. This will guide us and uphold us in our undertaking.

417 Riverside Drive,

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She buried her face in my lap, with long dry sobs. Soon she began to talk again: “And then, and then.” 0

1 pleaded with her not to tell any more. “Q yes, yes, I must,” she said. “Two days later my mother died. And the rest, the rest isn’t important.” \

"Only this," she went on, after awhile. "Don't you see, it is we mothers that have to make the world different."