Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-09
LONGING TOGO BACK.
a Hebrew Colonization SOci-
ETY. Started in the City.
THE MEMBERSHIP is 500.
Jerusalem May Yet be a Proud Cap
ital in Old Palestine
In SPITE OF ANCIENT PROPHECY.
Sending Over the Poorer Hebrews to Farm
Lands in Israel.
THE MEMBERSHIP is 500.
In SPITE OF ANCIENT PROPHECY.
WEALTHY MEN BACKING THE SCHEME

The question has often been raised in the
past and will be raised again in the future
whether the Hebrews are ever to be
recognized as distinct people or merely as
a religious sect The fact is they are
prouder of their nationality than they are of
their religion. A strong movement has
been in progress in Europe since 1870 look
ing to the re-establishment of the Hebrew
nation in Palestine and the restoration of
old Jerusalem as the proud capital OF a
representative people.
About a year ago the society was intro
duced in the New York, and within the past
two months q branch has been started in
Pittsburg under the general name of
"Lovers of Zion" The object of the society
is the colonization OF Palestine by Amer
can Hebrews. The Pittsburg branch was
organized bv Rabbi Brachio Meyerovitz. of
the Wylie Avenue Synagogue, and already
two or three Hebrews have been sent back
to the Holy Land from this section through
its influence About 1,S00 colonists have
gone from the country at large.
THE soCIETY's OBJECT.
In the constitution OF the association the
objects are stated to be these: To improve
the conditions of the Hebrews in Palestine;
TO assist the Hebraic colonists of Palestine;
to establish new colonies in that country; to
instruct the people in agriculture and other
industries; to propagate the idea of settle
ment of Hebre Es in the Land of Israel, and
to diffuse the knowledge OF the Hebrew Ian
guaCe. While there is an element of charity
in the objects as stated, the ultimate idea is
to restore the nation.
The President of the local association is
r. Raphael, and h. Malachowsky is the
Secretary. In an interview Yesterday j. G.
Scheinman, one of the members, said: "1he
branch in Pittsburg numbers between 400
and 500 members. Some of the members of
the Gusky firm and many other prominent
Hebrews belong to it. The membership,
however, consists largely of the middle and
lower classes, and at present the society
aims TO induce the poorer and oppressed
Hebrews to return to the Holy Land, where
they are settled on land which the associa-
ton owns.
A SMALL SUM CHARGED.
''They are charged the small sum of %
cents per month on account until the land is
paid for. We reason that as much money
can be made in Palestine in agricultural
pursuits as in peddling in America, for
example, and in addition, the poor Hebrew
We are sadly forced to admit is so prevalent
even in this enlightened age. There are
about 800 Hebraic families in Pittsburg
and we hope to see the day when they Will
be back in Palestine living happily as part
of a powerful nation, as did our ancestors
once in the past.
"Even the richer class of Hebrews are
anxious to return, and many of them are
willing to forego wealth to aid in re-estab-
fishing the government. We are working
by personal solicitation and slowly educat-
ing our people up to the idea. Rabbi Mey-
erovitZ has his whole heart and soul in the
work, and by his preaching he has already
done much good.
PROPHECY IGNORED.
''In spite of prophecy, we believe the
Hebrew nation will be restored. The land
is purchased from the Turkish government
at nominal figures.
''It is still rich in fertility and easily culti-
vated. 1t yields Eastern products in abun-
dance, which are exported into Europe"
For years the prominent and wealthy
Hebrews of Europe. the Rothschilds, the
Hirschs, the Montagues and even Moses
MOntefore, have directed their attention to
the colonization of Palestine. Baron Hirsch
not long since contributed 60,000,0 900 francs
for this purpose. These men firmly believe
the time will come when the Hebrews will
once more occupy their Ghettoes and syna-
gogues. not as captives, but free and inde-
pendent people.
BEAUTIFUL PREDICTION
The members of the society hope to live
to see the dav when the words of the prophet
shall be fulfilled:
Behold, days are coming saith the Eternal
when the plowman shall come close up to the
harvester and the one treading grapes to him
that scattereth the seed, when mountains shall
drop Sweet new wine, and all the hills shall
melt away Herewith. And l will return with
the captivity of my people Israel and they shall
build the wasted cities and dwell therein and
they shall plant vineyards and drink their
winei and they shall lay out gardens and eat
their fruit. And L will plant them upon their
own soil, and they should not be uprooted any
more out of the soil 1 have given them, hath
said the Eternal thy God.
During the recent Hebrew festivals
Rabbi Meyerovitz referred to the movement
now in force among American Hebrews.
He made strenuous appeal to the modern
community to assist in maintaining the
principles that constitute the Israel1tish
nationality. He spoke of the movement to
coIonize poor Hebrews in Palestine as by no
means the least of the levers to be used.
Rabbi II. Scheinman ably oficiated in
the service and acted as cantor during the
festival, and also delivered sermons several