Intermountain Jewish news., 1926-03-25

though at that time they were not be-
Ing maltreated or massacred, a fate
which befell their brethren before and
since. and although they were living in
comparative ease and comfort, they de-
cided to respond to the urge that has
been throbbing in the blood OF every
child Of Israel through centuries OF
lonely wanderings in strange lands.
They would go TO their own homeland
for peace and rest.
Holy Soil Is Purchased
At once everyone started saving for
this pilgrimage. Committees for rails
ing and collecting money were ap-
pointed In every village. After sew.
cral months the Central Committee an
nounced IL had enough money TO pur-
chase II tract of land In Palestine.
With great cagerness, committee Of
seven men We're sent from Roumania to
make this purchase.
On the way over. the seven men
found their ideas, as far as religion was
concerned differed widely. Several Of
them were fanatics, SO pious they
would not put comb to their hair on
the Sabbath. Realizing they would
never get along together this group
split mp. The ultra-pious ones went
into Galilee to found colony there.
This is now known ms Rosh Pima, and is
large tobacco center.
At the Foot Of Mt. CARMEL
The other members rode into the
countryside and bought tract Of land
situated on one of the foothills OF Mt.
Carmel,which overlooks the Mediter-
ranean with "A majest of several thou
sand feet. The entire hill, and the
rolling countryside surrounding it. cov-
cred with stones and trees and thicl,
hedges, was what they bought from an
Arab landowner for their future ITO
pia. 1t was called Zammarin. the
Arabic word meaning 'enchantment."
This was turned over TO them COM
pletely for the sum of $1,000 francs.
The Impractical Dreamers
Delighted with their purchase never
dreaming how impractical it was TO
select site SO override with rocks and
waste land, never giving n thought to
the water or the possibilities for OBJ
tanning it. nor the absence of any form
of habitation there, the committee
cabled to Roumania advising the Cen
tral Committee that all negotiations
were completed, the land theirs. and
everything in readiness for the col
onists.
Great was the joy in Roumania when
this cable arrived. 1t came on Yom
kippur, the Day Of Atonement. Prayers
OF rejoicing. too. now ascended the
heavens. The Promised Land never
seemed nearer. 1t was theirs, It
awaited them.
For all the villagers to go at once
was out of the question There was not
enough land or finances for that With
bated breath they waited while the Cen
trail Committee announced the names,
chosen by lot. of the future colonists.
Fifty-three families were selected for
the first trip, and they were at once
the pride and envy of all Roumania.
Many times that number were eager to
dismantle their homes and leave their
loved ones for this great adventure, but
the number must necessarily be re-
stricted. For the Central Committee
was pledged to support the colonists
until they were able to find themselves
and gain sustenance and shelter in
their new surroundings. 1t was neces-
sary for many to remain behind to
help provide funds for their brethren
leaving for Palestine For once the
nucleus was started there, the others
would follow
rH-u- i.