Palestine From Day to Day
The eyes of the world are on Palestine. All civilization is watching the slowly enfolding climax of a hope that has endured during the centuries, and which may, even before this is printed, have been fulfilled. And in Palestine itself—what are the people doing? How are they living? What are they thinking about? How do they react toward the great event that is dawning? Are they conscious of it? Are they thrilled? These questions press for answer. And we are gathering the news-notes given below in order that these questions may find their answer. These news-notes are just brush-strokes on a huge canvas. Each one who reads must assemble these strokes for himself, make his own completed picture, remembering that life insists on living its own way even in the presence of great events, and that it is in the retrospect rather than in the immediate that history is formulated.
Jewish railroad workers in Palestine whose number has increased lately, have organized under the name of "The Federation of Railroad Workers." They are planning the opening of information bureaus all over Palestine.
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A Music Company under the name of "Rinah" has recently been organized in Jerusalem to publish the works of the well-known musician Mr. Veradi-Rosenblum, who writes Hebrew folksongs. One series of songs has already been published and the second is now in print.
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The American Zionist Medical Unit is introducing into Palestine the latest developments in medical science. Its most recent innovation is group medical work. A patient is examined by several doctors—his eyes by the oculist, his teeth by the dentist, etc.—after which they jointly confer and exchange opinions. Final diagnosis therefore, is not dependent on one man only.
The American Zionist Medical Unit has appointed a dentist to work in Galilee. He will make a circuit of Galileean colonies, includ- ine visits to all the schools.
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Engineer Louis Cantor, who is a member of the American Zionist Medical Unit, is giving a course of two months to train chauffeurs. Owing to the lack of trained chauffeurs in Palestine and poor railroad facilities, motor cars which were required for constant use for the various institutions in Palestine were very badly handled and considerable damage was done to them. With the expert training by Engineer Cantor and the experienced chauffeurs of the American Zionist Medical Unit, these conditions will be remedied considerably.
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The Zionist Commission held an important meeting recently to consider the proposal of founding an institution for developing and modernizing the Hebrew language. It was decided that there was a great need for a progressive and scientific council to deal with the language questions that came up from day to day, and to take steps to preserve the purity of the language and to prevent its descending to Yiddish Hebrew.
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The “Ahdut Haavoda” (Workmen’s Corporation) has formed several agricultural workmen’s groups for work in Jerusalem waste places.
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"The Jerusalem News," which made its initial appearance in Jerusalem, is the first English daily newspaper published in Jerusalem. It is conducted by Americans, who try to run it like an American newspaper. It contains a "column" called "Flashes of Light." Here is a sample of the "column" as it appeared in the first issue.
Flashes of Light
M. E. STARR
1. Armistice Day was an Inspiring Day. Let us have more such days.2. Jerusalem's spruceness,—the coats of paint appearing about Jerusalem gladden the hearts of those who love cleanliness.3. If you let repairs go today, tomorrow will cost you more.4. The weak man is exhaustive, the strong man constructive.
5. Disentangling the ideas of the Near East is like unsnarling the curls of a small child. First comes the hurt, then the readjustment to orderliness.
6. The Armistice Day Fête was an instructive, appetite-satisfying event. It was an historical get-together meeting which needs to be repeated.
7. Volunteers are needed to ‘“swat the fly” in Jerusalem. 8. Fostering racial differences is like running around with a firebrand, setting everything on fire that is inflammable. 9. A mental equilibrium is equal to a large bank account. 10. The policeman is the guardian friend of the law. Help the policeman by being law-abiding citizens. A smile from the policeman is better than the swing of his club. 1l. Evil agitation makes for evil aggregation. 12. Plant trees, more trees and then again trees! 13. Palestine should have the open air of freedom and be the world’s plaveround.
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Dr. D. Yellin, President of the Council of Jerusalem Jews and well-known scholar, and Dr. Oplatka, senior medical oflicer of the War Department, were awarded the Order of Membership of the British Empire, for the excellent services rendered by them. Among those present during the ceremony were General Louis Bols, Chief Administrator, who presented the Order, Colonel Staunton, Colonel R. Storrs, Military Governor, Mr. Ussishkin, Acting Chairman of the Zionist Commission, and representatives of all the Jewish institutions.
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"The Doar Hayom" is putting out an English weekly edition called "Palestine Weekly" which contains sixteen pages. It includes, Notes of the World; Local Notes; The World of Books; Drama Notes; Poetry and Special Articles. It has been very well received.
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The Hebrew Doctor’s Association has opened an information bureau which is gathering material in reference to the number of doctors, chemists, etc., needed in Palestine, so that it may be in a. position to place applicants.
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An annual concert was given by the "Sulamit Schools of Music" of Jaffa. The Military Governor who was present expressed his appreciation of the work of the school, and promised the school assistance.
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“The Agudat Nashim” (the Woman’s Society) at its annual meeting held in Jaffa, discussed the question of providing work for unmarried women immigrants who go to Palestine and are without relations and means of support.
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The Hebrew Dramatic Society of Tel-Aviv has secured the appropriation of a site for a new building of Bet-Haam which will provide a stage for the society. The Hebrew Dramatic Society of Palestine, at a conference held recently in Jaffa, drew up statutes providing for co-operation between the groups.
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The Society of "Hatechiah" of Beyrouth has opened free evening classes in Hebrew for boys and girls. One hundred and twenty pupils have already enrolled. The "Maccabees" of Beyrouth have