The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-26
BRINGING
CULTURE TO
NEAREAST
Chief Rabbi Kook, of Pales-
tine, Says Whole Orient Is
Feeling Effects.
by DIR. ABRAHAM ISAAC KOOK,
Chief Rabbi Of the HOlyland.
Written for Cosmopolitan News

Service.)
NEW YORK, March 26.--Jewish
immigration to Palestine today is
having a far reaching effect through
out the whole of the Orient.
The influence of Jewish culture
has reached far beyond Palestine
even as far as Assyria. The
Jews have developed industry and
brought education to the east.
Jewish culture is not confined to
religious matters only. The Jews
are constantly improving their
minds in secular things as well.
There are two distinct types Of
Jew in Palestine. There is the
Jew learned in Judaism. And there
is the Jew who is thoroughly in
the van Of modern learning.
Felt Most by Arabs.
OF course Jewish influence has
been most strongly felt among the
Arabs. Much has been said about
the hostility of the Arab toward the
Jew. 1t must be made clear that
| If there is any real hostility 1t is
the Effendi who feels it. The rich
land owner, accustomed to treading
the poor, miserable Arab workmen
under foot and exploiting him to his
fullest capacity. Is perhaps not
over thankful to the Jew for edu-
eating the poor, illiterate creature
and liberating him from Effendi
oppression.
When the Jews came to Palestine
the working men were laboring
for very small wages. They were
in the most miserable condition.
Most of them could not read or
write-not even their own names.
Much of that is changed now. We
have started public schools for
them. We are employing them at
respectable wages.
Effendi Arouse Arabs.
It is not to be wondered that that
the Effendl regarded US with dis.
pleasure-even hatred. It was the
Effendis who aroused the Arabs
and instigated the trouble between
the two races.
But all that trouble IS over. 1t
war not long before the Arab work
ingmen were immune to the Effendi
! appeals. A group OF young Arabs
realized that the trouble had been
instigated by the wealthy land own
ers. They realized that the immi.
grafton OF the Jewish people was
very good for the country And
now they are cooperating with the
Jews toward the further develop.
ment Of the country. Together the
Jew and the Arab is draining the
taste land and eXterminating pests.
Together they are cultivating the
fields Together they are acquiring
knowledge and training their minds
In the pubic schools.
Economic conditions in Palestine
are greatly improved. That is to
say, the Independent Jew is better
situated economically than he was.
Tho condition of tho people who
are living on charity is, however,
little better than it was. The PEG.
pie who the Jewish community
must support are the unfortunate
victims of the war. They are largo
ly children who live and study at
the Zion war orrhanage. There
they are taught a trade as well as
generally educated. But until they
learn a trade and can be self-sup-
porting, they must live. My mis-
sion here Is to appeal to charita bic
Jews in America to help us care fot
these unhappy children.
10000 Jews in Palestine.
The war had a terrible effect in
Palestine-as 1t had elsewhere.
Forty per cent Of the Jewish popu-
lation was kilIed-and their chill
dren were left orphans. There are
now only 10000 Jews in the Holy
Land.
Money to feed our orphans is not
the only thing l am seeking here.
We also need money to do more
constructive work. Economic condi-
lions must be improved The land
must be cultivated. Money and
implements are necessary.
OF extraordinary interest is the
way in which Hebrew is rapidly
becoming an important tongue of
the land along with Trabic and
English. 1t is the recognized Off
cial language Of the country. 1t Is
used in everyday speech. It Is
used even in industry. Advertise.
ments and notices are printed in
Hebrew. 1t is taught in the school
with Arabic and English. The
Yiddish patois is non existent.
The future holds for the great
promise for Palestine as real
homeland for the Jews.