The Maccabaean

of this particular educational question in Jerusalem is, besides the establishment of a proper Rabbinate in Jerusalem, the establishment of a modern and good Yeshiva, a Yeshiva which should replace all the existing altogether degenerated institutions. Whether it should be in Jerusalem, or whether in Jerusalem and another Town, is not for me to decide, but I have heard here tonight the representative of the Mizrachi, and I think it will be a very honourable and very important and very difhicult task of the Mizrachi to undertake the solution of this problem. We are pleased to submit to them the results of our enquiry, but they will have to undertake the solution; and as much as the Zionist Organisation can contribute towards it, it ought to contribute, because I think that the existence and the maintenance of these schools of learning in Jerusalem is of vital imnartanna-

“Jerusalem is almost the only place which is still left in the world where the continuity of the Jewish traditions is possible. We know not what has happened in Vilna or in Warsaw. The many great centres of learning which we had in the Galuth may be today destroyed. It is, therefore, the double and treble duty of the Jewish people to maintain the centres of learning which have escaped destruction, and I hope that from today a golden bridge will be built between the new and modern Yeshiboth in Jerusalem and the University on the Mount of Scopus. While I have indicated the chief lines of our work I have tried to cut it quite short and concentrate my report as much as possible. It will be the duty of my colleagues to present to you special reports on certain special questions. But you will allow me to say a few words, too, at the conclusion.

THE TASK OF THE FUTURE

“Our work, the work of the Zionist Organisation, and the work of the Commission which is the offspring of our organisation is, I think, going on on the right lines. But only in Palestine can one realise the great task which is still before us. Please remember that we are standing only on the threshold of events, and I only wish that the great time should also find a great generation. In the history of our movement we can point to a time when a small time has found a great generation. Think of the

Bilu. Think of those who went to Palestine when there was practically no hope at all. Think of those who built up the Colonies out of the sand, who created gardens out of the deserts. The task which is before us today is infinitely wider, infinitely more complicated, than what they had before them. We cannot be satisfied with the same result as they attained. It is much too small, and what appeared large and fine ten years ago appears small and minute tonight. That renders our obligation towards the people and towards the movement very heavy indeed. I think that the political conditions for the building up of the Jewish national home will soon be established, and I think they will be established favourably—when we shall have obtained the realisation at least of the most fundamental of our demands; but then will come our turn to give the proper and dignified reply to the Balfourian Declaration, and this reply cannot be given in money— cannot be given enly in monetary contributions. It can ha olven in men and ardent servire.

ZIONISTS MUST BE PREPARED TO GIVE ARDENT SERVICE

“It is for this ardent service that every Zionist must be prepared, and when the call comes we must be capable of answering fully, unreservedly, just as the Palestinians have answered. They gave everything men could give to the movement, and this is the secret of their success. That is the only thing which troubled your Commission in Palestine. Is it true that when the Shofar shall ring through the whole of the Jewish people, that they will rise like one and give the proper reply? In Palestine as I have said already, the answer was given partly by the Palestinians themselves, by their work, by their achievements, by their devotion, and also by other Palestinians who are no more amongst the living; and you see these Palestinians of thousands and thousands of years ago rising out of their graves, and standing up and saying and whispering to you, ‘My dear little children, you have got a formidable task before you, but we, the giants, we watch over you. I hope they watch over you too, and I pray that you should be worthy of those giants, and that you should be worthy to continue the tradition of those who have made ancient Palestine, and who have built modern Palestine.”

MR. ISRAEL SIEFF, Secretary to the Zionist Commission, gave a report on the manner in which the Fund has been expended by the Commission in Palestine. The general principle which animated the Commission was that inasmuch as there existed a separate Relief Fund, all monies of the Preparation Fund should be used as far as possible for productive purposes. It was immediately apparent that unless this principle was strictly adhered to, Relief Work in Jerusalem would absorb almost the whole fund. It was fortunate, therefore, that the Commission was able to concentrate in its own hands the distribution of relief monies. I am unable, however, to give a full financial report, for the accounts are not completed, and the work of the Commission still continues. A detailed examination of the accounts of the Preparation

Fund would give a summary of the work of the Commission, if not of the condition of all Palestine at the time of our visit, for our activities were concerned with every side of the life of the country.

The liberation of Judæa by the British Forces found a large part of the Jewish population in the towns and colonies in a state of impoverishment. The work of bringing help to these communities devolved upon the Relief Department of the Commission. As far as the colonies were concerned, we quickly found that assistance would not be accepted in the form of relief.

REFUSAL OF COLONISTS TO ACCEPT PHILANTHROPIC AID

The spirit of the colonists was such as to compel them to refuse all philanthropic aid. They looked to the Commission