New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-09-24
THE JEWS OF JERUSALEM

Trsnsisrd By TIE TsIsy>r from Do Aatears s "e'He
ITO JerusalemF' Under this tide Or. L. A.
Frank has described the journey which he took IN the
Spring Of 1856 from Vienna TO Palestine, in orie-as
the agep, and with the means Of Viennese laiy Of
the Jewish faith-.o establish chiiren's nursery in
Jerusalem. The book which is in two stout volumes
cot ,an- much useful information respecting the Jew-h
population in the East
In Jerusalem dwell 500 Jews, VINO comprise
third part Of the inhabitants. There are bat 1900
Christians in the city, while the whole population IS
cone IS. eco. The Jews, Ike the Christians, are
divided into several sec,s. Four thousand OF them for
example. form the largest Israel,e community. the
Sepbaredim. The revenues which flow 70 this society
annually from the Jews in other parts of Palestine
amount to more than 5000 piss,er> In this sum
the private contributions of individuals are not IN
cluded.
Between these sect., no union in matters of action
ia 20 be thought Of. To the Purish the expression
Chsssid is term of reproaeh, and only the poorest
of the Sephap.dm and Aschkenasim make matrimoni-
al alliances with one another. For the mos; part those
Of each sect marry within its limits. The Ansche
Uod are the most opulent In the other fellowshps
despite the roh benefactons from without the greater
portion Of which is apt TO stick 10 the hands Of the
warIens there IS the most bitter want at home among
the majority Of the members; sometimes public
display Of the most lamentable poverty. Frank tells
the following anecdote as characteristic Of the aims
receivers of Jerusalem:
Sir Moses Montefore brought with him to Jerusalem
number of chests full of hard dolars, and regard
ed il as his duty toward every poor man TO hand him
in person an appropriate gift. This cost the pous ben
efacor much time and eIerton, and many Sad sight
met his eve. Sir Mo-es in his noble ardor, went too
far and in bis sefforg distributed the money
which was to take him home again. To get away, he
was obliged to borrow. Presently man was found
who joyfnllyfor interest it ia understcod-was ready
10 help out bis brother in the faith. But when the
lender brought the not unmportant sum required, IN
beautiful shining gold, Sir Moses was not little sur
prised to recognize in him man into whose hand he
had thrust silver dollar the very day before when he
appeared to be the needest among the needy.
Frank criticses with great bitterness the Christian
missions for the conversion of the Jews IN Jerusalem
The Catholics support those who have Joined them
But the Protestants go still further-they give earnest
money to their converts. Indeed, every species Of
MISUNDERSTANDING that of the children Of Moses-in
Jerusalem is treated like commodity which has its
BUYERS and sellers. We can understand in what stage
of culture those Of Franks belief stand in Pales
tine from tie chapter in which the Assembly IL de-
scrbed which had TO decide upon the institution
which he came to establish Fifty thousand forms
were offered for the purpose of erecting an institution
in which Jewish children could be taken care OF and
educated. Twenty Rabblns and magistrates OF the
Holy City took the matter into consideration repre-
sentative of the Aschkenasm began the discussion by
denouncing in the name of his sect, schools 10 which
anything but the Talmud was taught as nothing better
than bridges leading 10 aportasy. The institution in
question woad be useless if il furnished children any
thing but food and clothes. Another of the Asch-
kenasm would have nothing II do with the proposed
establishment regarded food and clothing for
children. Both gentlemen, after delivering their
opinions, angry withdrew from the conference. BY
good luck the largest Jewish communicated of the
Sephnredm-was rational enough to follow the lead Of
Chachom Boselio and give a majority Of the votes
eighteen to sx) to the proposition.