DS 
 149 
 A1J556J 
 
 A 
 
 
 
 
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 JACOBS 
 
 JEWISH NATIONAL FU.MD
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 it»0k MM» tmm0m0m/ m0^ mmMm^jmum 
 
 ylsmed on behalf of the Jewish National Fund 
 Commissmi for the United Kingdom. 
 
 THE 
 
 wish National Fund 
 
 BY 
 
 JOSEPH D. JACOBS. 
 
 iUent of the National Fund Commission for thie United Kingdom.) 
 
 ' 
 
 S 
 
 ' 
 
 !' 
 
 F12. 
 
 Origin of the Fund. 
 
 Constitution. 
 
 Methods of Collection. 
 
 Progress of the Fund. 
 
 Objects achieved and undertakings promoted. 
 
 Yemenite Jews and Colonization. 
 
 The Olive Tree Fund. 
 
 Tei Aviv and Haifa. 
 
 Flower Day. 
 
 The Jewish National Fund in England. 
 
 The position abroad — 
 
 (a) 111 Russia. 
 
 (b) In the United States and British Colonies. 
 Conclusion. 
 
 • 
 
 ■ 
 
 Published by "The Zionist," 4, Kiug's Bench Walk, Temple, London, E.C. 
 
 Price 2xL» Post Free. 
 
 Jt^MWW^^II MlWW I MM l MtfJMWIWMW^WM^ 
 
 I'etty & Sous (T,eed3) I.td., VV'hiU-hall Vriiilcrie^, I.et'ds,
 
 
 f^OTE. 
 
 The * Editors of " Zionist 
 Pamphlets '' have been asked by 
 the Jewish National Fund Com- 
 mission for the United Kingdom 
 to issue this pamphlet as a means 
 
 The Library 
 University of California, Los Angeles 
 
 The gift of Mrs. Cummm^CTfBS 
 
 1 1 Mini 1 iiiiilMlirJUfcf
 
 The Jewish National Fund. 
 
 1. ORIGIN OF THE FUND. 
 
 It was at the First Zionist Congress, held in Basle in 1897, 
 that the idea of a Jewish National Fund {Keren Kajemcth 
 le-Jisrael) was mooted by Professor Herman Shapira, and 
 -^. at the Fourth Congress held in 1900, the proposal was accepted 
 ^ in principle. A scheme (which suggested the creation of a 
 O Fund inalienable from the Jewish people for the sole purpose 
 c><; of acquiring land in Palestine and Syria) was submitted to the 
 ?^ Fourth Congress for consideration, and the Actions Committee 
 ^was asked to endeavour to lay before the Fifth Congress a 
 <5r<, constitution embodying this scheme. 
 
 I The Fifth Congress passed a resolution appointing a Special 
 
 ^ Commission to consider the question of constitution in all its 
 bearings. At the first of the biennial conferences held after 
 the Fifth Congress in the non-Congress years, it was decided 
 that the objects enumerated in the before mentioned scheme 
 needed extension, and at the second of those Conferences it was 
 resolved that administrative powers as well as j^owers of leasing 
 should be added to the main object named in the scheme. 
 Considerable difficulty was experienced, however, in choosing a 
 country in which the Headquarters of the Fund should be situate, 
 especially as the legal form of constitution was bound to depend 
 largely on the country chosen. 
 
 The Sixth Congress, held in 1903, declared in favour of the 
 extended objects above mentioned, and resolved upon the 
 formation of an Association to be launched in England in the 
 form of an English Company. Between that year and 1906 
 proposals with reference to constitution were exhaustively con- 
 sidered, and in 1906 the Constitution in its present form was 
 adopted. 
 
 2. CONSTITUTION. 
 
 On the 8th of April, 1907, " Juedischer Nationalfonds {Keren 
 Kajemeth le-Jisrael) Limited " was incorporated as an English 
 Company in England with its registered office in London. It 
 is an Association limited by guarantee, and having no part of 
 its Capital divided into Shares. The memorandum specially 
 provides that the property and income of the Association shall 
 be applied solely towards the promotion of its main objects : 
 namely, the purchase, taking on lease or acquisition by exchange 
 of any lands and forests in Palestine and adjoining territory 
 
 209540'^
 
 as the inalienable property of the Fund, for the purpose of settling 
 Jews on sueh lands. The Company is organized on a simple 
 basis. The holders of Founders' Shares in the Jewish Colonial 
 Trust are the sole members of the Association, and they elect 
 Directors. The Directors are subject to the control of the Inner 
 Actions Committee, which has in addition the right to appoint 
 Directors (not exceeding three) to sit on the Board. The Inner 
 Actions Committee has also the power to veto any action or course 
 of action proposed to be taken by the Directors. The Bankers 
 of the Association are " The Jewish Colonial Trust {Juedische 
 Colonial-Bank) Limited," to whom all its funds and collections 
 are remitted. 
 
 The cardinal principle of the Fund is voluntary contribution 
 from all parts of the world, and for this purpose National Fund 
 Commissions exist in all the principal countries. 
 
 3. METHODS OF COLLECTION. 
 
 Contributions to the Fund are secured by the following 
 methods : — 
 
 (a) National Fund Stamps. — Stamps with various pictorial 
 designs have been printed and their value has been 
 fixed in each country to correspond with the smallest 
 current coin, for example, in America one cent, in France 
 5 centimes, in England one halfpenny. The practice 
 is to affix these stamps to letters, programmes, cards, 
 invitations to Zionist meetings, pamphlets, booklets, and 
 so forth. 
 
 {h) Collection Boxes. — The Collection Box is intended 
 primarily to be used in the home, and to arouse a spirit of 
 self denying zeal among members of the family, especially 
 the children. Boxes are also placed in Synagogues, 
 Jewish business houses, workshops, libraries, restaurants, 
 and clubs. The boxes are opened periodically bj^ 
 collectors appointed by the responsible Commissions 
 in each country. This means of collection is recognised 
 by the Directors of the Association as being the best 
 adapted to augment regular contributions and to secure 
 increased returns. The method is of permanent value 
 where voluntary assistance can be relied u{)on to exercise 
 coiilrol over the distribution and clearing of the boxes. 
 
 (c) Telegrams. — Special National Fund telegrams can be 
 used for the j)urposc of transinilting congratulatory 
 messages. The price of a National Fund telegraph form 
 is the niininniin charge fixed by the Post Ollice for 
 sending a telegram ; the telegram is posted as a letter 
 in the ordinary way, and the price i)aid for the telegraph 
 form goes to the National Fund. 
 
 {(l) The Golden Book. -The (Joldcn liook was instituted 
 as an induccnicnl lu niiiking doniilions or subscriptions
 
 3 
 
 on a larger scale. The name of every individual oi- 
 Society contributing £10 or ujj wards to the National 
 Fund can be inscribed in this memorial volume, " The 
 Golden Book of the National Fund," and every donor 
 whose name is so inscribed receives a Diploma for his 
 gift. Donors are also able to have inscribed the name of 
 any person, Society or Institution that they may select. 
 The Golden Book is thus a medium through which Jews 
 can shew their esteem for individuals or Societies that 
 have rendered good service to our people, and it is 
 extensively used for this pur])osc. 
 
 (e) Land Donations Fund. By this means it is intended 
 to give every Jew the opportunity of purchasing a 
 dunam* of land in Palestine in his own name and pre- 
 senting it to the National Fund. The price of a dnnam 
 is £2. Every donor will ha\'e his name entered in a 
 special land register and will receive a certificate. The 
 land acquired by this means will be worked exclusively 
 by Jewish argi cultural labourers. 
 
 (/) The Olive Tree Fund. — -Under this head collections 
 are made for the pin-pose of planting olive trees on land 
 acquired by the National Fund in Palestine, so that 
 the soil may be adapted to the ends for which the .Jewish 
 people propose to acquire it. The mininumi amount 
 requisite for the planting and cidtivation of one olive 
 tree is six shillings. A person who contributes at least 
 five times that amoimt is entitled to receive an illuminated 
 certificate. 
 
 (g) Bequests. — -Testamentary betpiests are another of the 
 resources of the National Fund. A bequest of £10 or 
 over (for example) would entitle the testator's name 
 to be inscribed in the Golden Book. Legacies of any 
 amount may be bequeathed, and a form of special clause 
 for insertion in wills is obtainable from the Head Office 
 of the National Fund Commission in any country. 
 
 (h) Generally.— There are other methods of collection, 
 for instance, collection sheets placed in the hands of 
 trustworthy persons and used for collections on special 
 occasions ; but the most important of all is the volun- 
 tary tax. The idea which imderlies this mode of collection 
 is that the vahie of a donation so made is enhanced 
 if it is prompted by a feeling of duty and expressed 
 by a tax vohnitarily and regularly levied on oneself. 
 An individual who does not wish his name to be known 
 can hixxc his donation published anonymously. 
 
 (i) Flower Day.— This is dealt with under a separate 
 heading (i)age 7). 
 
 * A dunam = about ;i quarter acrt.
 
 4. PROGRESS OF THE FUND. 
 
 The total amount collected up to the 31st of December, 1912, 
 was £161, 750. The following table shews the amount collected 
 in each year : — 
 
 Up to 6th April, 1907 (the date of incorporation of 
 
 the Association) ... ... ... ... £52,700 
 
 31st December, 1907 £58,800 
 
 1908 £66,490 
 
 1909 £90,035 
 
 1910 £120,112 
 
 1911 £138,882 
 
 1912 £161,750 
 
 During the first six months of 1913 the sum of £17,200 was 
 collected, as compared with £12,050 for a similar period in the 
 previous year. The total amount of the National Fund at the 
 present day is estimated to exceed £200,000. 
 
 5. OBJECTS ACHIEVED AND 
 
 UNDERTAKINGS PROMOTED. 
 
 It is not possible within a brief compass to give a complete 
 list of all the multifarious undertakings in which the National 
 Fund has assisted with excellent results, but the following are 
 sjjccially worthy of mention : — 
 
 (a) The creation of model farms on two estates called 
 Kinnereth and Dagania situate in the region where the 
 River Jordan flows into the Lake of Tiberias. The object 
 is to educate Jewish workmen and workwomen. The 
 former estate is leased to the Palestine Land Development 
 Company, and the latter to the " Erez Israel " Settlement 
 Comj)any. 
 
 (/>) The plantation of Olive Groves and Orange Gardens 
 on land acquired for tiiis purpose by the National Fund. 
 Tlicre are tAvo estates of this kind, known as Hulda and 
 Ben Shamen, near the railway running from Jerusalem to 
 .laCfa. An agricultural farm, on the intensive system 
 of cultivation, is also conducted by the Fund. The 
 growing of tobacco and coffee planting are luider con- 
 sideration. 
 
 ((•) 'I'lic foundation of a Coloni/alion Association U})on the 
 picjpcrty of the National l^'nnd called IMerehaxia. on the 
 co-opcrati\ (■ (»\vnei'slii|) principles of the well-known 
 Sociologist, Dr. l-'i-an/, ()p|)eniieiiner. 
 
 {(I) 'I'lie creation (llnongli I lie niedinni of the Anglo-Palestine 
 Company) of modern . Jewish ((uarfers "Tel Aviv" and 
 " Nachlalli Benjamin " in Jaffa, and " ller/lia " in Haifa.
 
 These quarters, built and arranged on modern lines and 
 conforming to modern hygienic principles, correspond 
 to the " garden suburbs " witli which we are familiar in 
 England. They are among the most successful results 
 of Jewish colonization work in Palestine. Tel Aviv 
 in particular, with its regular streets, well-paved and 
 lit, its small park, and its Avater-supply laid on to every 
 house, presents a welcome contrast to the cramped, vm- 
 paved, unlit and insanitary towns which have been the 
 rule in Palestine for centuries. To go to Tel Aviv 
 from the neighbouring town of Jaffa is to realise what 
 a great advance in civilisation has been achieved by Jewish 
 effort in Palestine. A sandy waste has been turned into 
 a flourishing model village. Tel Aviv is also the first 
 example of an urban Jewish Community which manages 
 its own affairs with perfect autonomy. 
 
 (e) The furthering of the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts, 
 which gives employment to 500 Jerusalem Jews and 
 Jewesses, and is endeavouring to create a new style of 
 Jewish art. The National Fund has placed two houses 
 at the disposal of this School, and has aided it further 
 by founding a Colony in its grounds where domestic 
 industry is brought into connection with horticulture. 
 
 (/) The purchase of land for the building of the Technical 
 Institute at Haifa, for which a grant of £4,000 has been 
 made. 
 
 (g) The grant of a site and the erection of a building for the 
 Hebrew Secondary School at Tel Aviv at a cost of 
 £8,000. 
 
 (h) The betterment of housing accommodation generally in 
 the cities and on farm settlements. 
 
 {i) Support generally to Institutions of public utility in 
 Palestine. 
 
 In the Colonies of Petach-Tikvah and Chederah the National 
 Fund has established two large Homes for unmarried Jewish 
 labourers at a cost of nearly £2,000. It has also built a number 
 of houses for the families of Jewish workmen in Petach-Tikvah, 
 Rishon-le-Zion, Wadi-el-Chanin and Rechoboth with the aid 
 of the David and Fanny Wolffsohn Fund and the Halperin Fund 
 both of which are affiliated to it. 
 
 The National Fund has also imdertaken the work of building 
 houses for the Yemenite Jews. Each house involves the outlay 
 of a sum varying between £50 and £60. Over £4,000 has already 
 been applied in this direction. The immigration of Jews from 
 Yemen is of the highest value for Jewish colonization in 
 Palestine (see page 6.) 
 
 Money has also been devoted to a medical campaign against 
 malaria. In a word, the Jewish National Fund strives by 
 organised and systematic work to foster and support all branches 
 of colonization in Palestine in the most practical manner.
 
 0. YEMENITE JEWS AND COLONIZATION. 
 
 The first larfjc immigration of Jews from the Yemen (South 
 Arabia) intt) Palestine took })hice 33 years ago. Thanks to their 
 industry and modest requirements the Yemenite Jews were 
 able to subsist without the aid of the Chaluka. They found 
 employment in house-building, and the Alliance Israelite 
 U niverselle eame to their assistance by creating a special 
 (juarter for them in Jerusalem. The improved conditions which 
 they found in Palestine soon exercised a favourable influence 
 upon the Yemenites ; they became invigorated in body and 
 mind, and by reason of their industry, willingness to work and 
 obedience they were much sought after as workmen. Their 
 position in Jerusalem has been particularly benefited by the 
 establishment of the Bezalel, in which they are capable workers. 
 A Bezalel Colony consisting entirely of Yemenites has already 
 been founded at Ben Shemen near Jaffa, where they are em- 
 ployed in a filigree workshop). 
 
 The attempt to employ the Yemenite Jews in agricultural 
 labour in Jewish colonies has also been a distinct success. The 
 satisfactory progress of the first settlers made a great impression 
 on their brethren in the Yemen and a steady immigration has 
 been going on for some time, promoted directly by the agency 
 of the Zionist Organisation. For the time being, many Yemenites 
 have been accommodated in j)rovisional shelter — partly in sheds 
 made of straw matting — but these temporary measures, while they 
 sufficed for the sununer months, were found to l)e inadequate in the 
 winter. The building of cottages was accordingly recognised by the 
 Jewish National Fund as an lu'gent necessity. A suni of £2,000 was 
 voted for this purpose in 1912, and up to the present over £4,000 
 has been expended in this direction. Building sites have been 
 acquired, temporary Avooden barracks have been erected, and 
 the construction of cottages in the colonies of Petach-Tikvah, 
 Chederah, Ness-Ziona, Bir-Jacob and other places has begim. 
 The amount named will not ))rove even remotely adequate to 
 solve the housing problem. A cottage that is to be fairly 
 durable, and built in accordance with hygienic requirements — 
 with a garden plot attached — costs between £50 and £60. 
 licfore the War there were nearly 500 emigrant families of 
 \'emenites in Palestine, and 500 cottages are still required. 
 l'"urther accommodation will have to be found to meet further 
 iuMMigralioii from time to time. 1 1 is clear, therefore, that a 
 hirgc sum of money will l)e needed to provide suitable cottages 
 for the Yemenites. The National Fund, in addition to linding 
 money for this pur))osc, has undertaken to organise measures 
 lor further aid, the donations eollceted I'oi" this s|)eeial object 
 being en imarked and administered separately. The Fund has 
 decided thai each of these cottages shall bear the name of its 
 founder, as a j)ermanent memorial of his sympathy, a lasting 
 moiiumetit wiiieli cNcrybody can easily ac(]uire foi' himself or
 
 dedicate to anotlicr. ^Vlrcady a ^rcat iniiabcr of building dona- 
 tions have been received from ])ri\ate persons, societies and 
 conununities. The importance of tlie Yemenites for the further- 
 ance of colonising work in Palestine makes the provision of 
 cottages one of the most valual)le of the enterprises of the Fund, 
 and one which should be amply supported by all Jews. 
 
 7. THE OLIVE TREE FUND. 
 
 The Olive Tree Fund is a Branch of the National Fund which 
 enjoys an ever increasing popularity. As has been already 
 stated, Olive Tree plantations have been laid out on behalf of 
 the Olive Tree fund upon two estates belonging to the National 
 Fund in the vicinity of Jaffa. The plantations have been rej^eat- 
 cdly subject to thorough inspections, and practical methods 
 of cultivation have been discussed with the administrators of the 
 Estates as well as with other experts. The conclusion come 
 to is that it is advisable to continue the plantations in the manner 
 hitherto adopted, especially in the mountain regions. Whoever 
 travels through Palestine and observes the extensive fields and 
 mountain slopes covered with hundreds of thousands of olive 
 trees (planted by industrious Arabs many years ago)must recognise 
 that the plantation of olive trees is a continuation on modern 
 principles of the activity of the Arabs, who have inhabited the 
 country for centuries and know its capabilities. The country 
 also needs the ])lantation of other fruit trees, and of trees for 
 timber. Upon the Estates of the National Fund in Hulda and 
 Ben Shamen there are not only olive tree plantations but also 
 plantations of vines, almonds, and other fruit trees, and of 
 eucalyptus and v^arious other trees for timber and ornamental 
 purposes. The plantation of oranges, tobacco and coffee is also 
 receiving special consideration. 
 
 8. TEL AVIV AND HAIFA. 
 
 It has been remarked above that Tel Aviv is one of the finest 
 results of Jewish colonising work in Palestine. Its existence 
 and its success go to prove that the Jewish National Fund is 
 active not only in the country but also in the towns. 
 
 In Haifa a number of Jewish houses have been built with 
 the aid of loans granted by the Jewish National Fund, and 
 useful work has been done by supporting building enterprise 
 in that city. The example of Tel Aviv and Haifa encourages 
 the National Fund to attack the problem of housing and town- 
 jilanning in yet other Palestinian towns. In this direction, 
 as in others, it is doing work which in other countries is done 
 by progressive governments or mvniicipal bodies. 
 
 9. FLOWER DAY. 
 
 The sale of flowers and flags on a special day, known as 
 " Flower Day," has turned out to be one of the most important 
 and successful methods of collecting money for the Jewish National
 
 8 
 
 Fund. It is now in vogue in all the 2)rineipal countries of the 
 world Avhere the Fund has its agencies. Quite recently Flower 
 Day was observed in over one hundred cities and towns in 
 America with marked success. This enterprise Avas first under- 
 taken in England in the year 1913 with good results and there 
 is every reason to hope that in the future Flower Day will become 
 a national function. Results have shewn that it is an excellent 
 method of propaganda for the Fund and for Zionism in general, 
 and one of the best ways of aAvakening enthusiastic interest in 
 Palestinian work among all classes. 
 
 The New York " Hadassah " has hit upon the original idea 
 of selling flower seeds to be planted at a period of the year which 
 will enable them to blossom on Flower Day. Small packets of 
 seed (costing from $6.00 to $7.50 per thousand packets) are 
 distributed, and the packets are sold by children in the Jewish 
 schools and other institutions for ten cents a packet. If this 
 experiment succeeds it will give rise to a beautiful custom and 
 will increase the popularity of Flower Day. 
 
 Flower Day Avill also entail the manufacture of hundreds of 
 thousands of flowers and flags for sale in all parts of the world. 
 There is no reason why their manufacture should not in future 
 be carried on at the Bezalel in Jerusalem, which would thus 
 develop a new artistic industry. 
 
 10. THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND IN ENGLAND. 
 
 The Jewish National Fund for the United Kingdom was 
 reconstituted by a Resolution of the Joint Zionist Council passed 
 early in the year 1912. It consists of representatives appointed 
 by the English Zionist Federation and the Order of Ancient 
 Maccabseans. The number of representatives at the present 
 time is five, two of whom have been appointed by the former 
 body and two by the latter, while the fifth is a member of both 
 organisations. The present members of the Commission are : — 
 
 Mr. Joseph D. Jacobs, Chairman ) Representing the Order of 
 
 Mr.'E. W. RabbinowicZ; Treasurer j Ancient Maccabseans. 
 The Rev. J. K. Goldbloom ... \ Representing the Enghsh 
 
 Mr. A. Lewis ... ) Zionist Federation. 
 
 Mr. A. Marks ... ... ... liepiesenting both Organisations. 
 
 Mr. G. G. Liverman ... ... ... Honorary Secretarj^ 
 
 The following arc cxl racls IVoni thi' Report for the period 
 bdwceu June, 1912, and June, 19i;i: — 
 
 Tiie ('onunissioners have iield vveel<Iy or Ibrtnigiitly meetings 
 (hiring the year and in addition have met for special purposes. 
 
 Siih-eommittces li!i\c been roiiiicd for special work and meet- 
 ings iicld. 
 
 The (^onunissioners r(tcognis('d tiiat one of tiie most im|)ortant 
 parts of liicir work was the distribution and control of the National 
 Kuiid boxes. 
 
 The follcetions Tuadc from lioxcs for llic year were : 
 l'|{(»\ IN( IvS £.S9 LONDON £4.^
 
 9 
 
 Complete registers have been kept oi' the boxes distributed. 
 Machinery had been put in force enabling a single box to be traced 
 to a holder at any place, and it is hoped idtimately to obtain 
 complete control over the whole of the boxes distributed in the 
 United Kingdom including those distriljuted prior to the con- 
 stitution of the present commission. 
 
 Arrangements had been made whereby boxes were cleared 
 every quarter or sooner at the request of the box-holder. 
 
 Special work has been devoted to the Yemenite Fund and 
 a sum of £109 has been obtained. In Leeds Mr. Roomianick and 
 Dr. Umanski (under the auspices of the Commission) have collected 
 substantial sums of money. 
 
 Special literature has been prepared in Hebrew and in Englisli 
 appealing for help in this direction, and appeals to London and 
 the Provinces, signed by the Officers of the Joint Zionist Council 
 were distributed widely in London and the Provinces. Com- 
 munications were addressed to the Ministers of all London and 
 Provincial Synagogues. There have been sent to prominent 
 members of the Jewish Community circulars appealing to them 
 for their support, and also to prominent Zionists. 
 
 It is felt that the simultaneous publication of lists of the 
 donations received serves a very useful purpose and stimulates 
 gifts by donors ; all donations have been annoimced in the Yiddish 
 Journals, copies of which are distributed in London and the provinces 
 and arrangements were also made in February last for the 
 ])ublication of the lists in " The Zionist," copies of which are 
 similarly distributed. 
 
 For some time it has been felt that the improvement of the 
 jirovincial collections demanded a complete reorganisation of the 
 work Avith a view to provincial centralisation and the carrying 
 on of work by Committees of voluntary workers instead of by 
 single individual Commissioners. 
 
 A Sub-Committee of the Commissioners was accordingly 
 appointed, and they reported that the difficulties which had to be 
 dealt with in connection with the provincial organization appeared 
 to be both financial and administrative. The financial difficulty 
 lay mainly in the absence of adequate security that the moneys 
 received were transmitted to tlie proper quarter. A voluntary 
 organization must depend for such security mainly on the standing 
 and character of its workers. No strict and complete control 
 was in their opinion possible without an elaborate system of checks, 
 which would not only be out of proportion to the interests in- 
 volved but would also irritate workers on whose goodwill the 
 entire success of the collection depended. The most important 
 consideration therefore was the selection of representatives in 
 whom complete confidence could be placed. Apart from this 
 however, a reasonable measure of control was of course indispen- 
 sable, and the existing system appeared to be — at least in theory — ■ 
 fairly adequate. A complete list of donations appeared from time 
 to time in the Yiddish Press ; and every donor was therefore able 
 to see whether his contribution had been duly transmitted. 
 Similarly the comparison of this list with the Bank vouchers 
 showed, if the list was not challenged, that all moneys received 
 by the Conimission had been paid into the Bank. There were, 
 however, other points in whicli tliey thought an improvement 
 might be made : — 
 
 (i) Tiie lists should be inserted in the Press at stated intervals 
 of a fortniglit or a month, so tliat donors might know exactly 
 when to expect their appearance.
 
 10 
 
 (ii) Donors should be invited to ask lor tin official receipt and 
 collectors be furnished with receipt-books. The counter- 
 foils should be periodically examined (say every six months) 
 by an independent auditor, 
 (iii) The receipt forms should state tiiat a list of donations 
 appeared at stated intervals in the Yiddish Press, and that 
 a copy of one of the papers containing such lists might be 
 seen on application to the collectors, which were to be 
 supplied to them at tlie expense of the Conunission. 
 The administrative jiroblem was more diflicult, and some 
 measure of reorganization was necessary, with a view to scciuing 
 stricter control and more satisfactory collections. The Sul)- 
 Committee were of opinion that this could best be attained by 
 the co-operation in each town of two or three colleagues instead 
 of the single representative then at work, and they therefore 
 recommended that Committees shoidd be formed 
 
 (i ) \\'here there were two or more Societies or Beacons in a town by 
 the election of a representative by each Beacon or Society, 
 (ii) In other places 
 
 by nomination by the Commission on the recommendation 
 of a responsible Zionist jicrsonally known to it. 
 Each Committee should consist of not less than three mem- 
 bers. All lists of donations and statements of accounts should 
 be signed by at least two of them on behalf of the Committee, which 
 should be collectively responsible. 
 
 It was recommended that each of the existing Provincial 
 Conunissioners should be asked to send to each Beacon and Society 
 in his town an official letter (to be provided by the Commission) 
 in\iting it to select a member to serve on the Committee. He 
 siiould be asked to report the resvdt within a month. If the result 
 was unsatisfactory, or if no report was received, direct action by 
 the Commissioners would have to be considered. In the case of 
 rc])resentatives who had sent in no returns during the past year, 
 it was suggested that should i\o acknowledgment of the Com- 
 missioners' request lie received within a fortnight another letter 
 should be written, and that if this was not answered the Commission 
 should act directly. Where there was one Society or Beacon 
 only, it was suggested that the representative, if personally known 
 to the Conunission, should be asked to name his own colleagues 
 and tiiat where he was unknown the |)ropose(l scheme should be 
 connnunicatcd to him with a recpiest to co-operate with Hie Com- 
 mission's nominees, who should be pro\isionally selected on the 
 ad\ice of a responsible local Zionist. It was lint her recoinmended 
 that each Connnitlee should be supplied with a sullieient number 
 of copies of Kules prepared by the Sub-Conunitlee I'or its guidance, 
 to which have been added forms which, in their opinion, might 
 be arlvantagcously used. It was pointed out that it was very 
 tiesirable that, wherever possible, an early meeting of the local 
 Committee should be attended by one of the Conunissioners : and 
 to t his end Coin inissioners should be re(i nested to notify the Secretary 
 of the dales (if any) on which it would be conxcnient for them 
 to \isit any ol' the towns on the ConunissioiTs list. 
 
 The rceonunendal ions of t he Sub-Coin n n't tc(lia\cbecn \ igoroiisly 
 prosecuted by the Conunission. 
 
 Circulars, forms, letters, and r(c(i|)t -hooks linvc been printed 
 and circulated o\(r the whole ol the I'liiled Kingdom with the 
 result that Local Commillees ha\c been eonstitiiled in many large 
 l»»wiis, iiiclndiiig Maiicliester, Li\(r|)ool, (Glasgow, Sunderland, 
 Swansea, (ardilf. Leeds, Newcastle. lOdinbiirgh. |Mellast, lirad- 
 lord. Dublin, Dundee. Linieriek, Not I ingliani, .Southampton, 
 Tredegar, Mirininghaiii and I'lymoulh are the remaining towns 
 in which l,oeal Coniniit lees haxc been eonsi it iile(l . |
 
 11 
 
 Brancli Coinniissioiis were also formed in various districts of 
 London, viz., in the West and S.W. district, and in North London. 
 
 Collections were arranged throughout tlie whole of the Unite<l 
 Kingdom for the Festivals. For Erev Yom Ki|)pur special 
 arrangements were made and duly advertised in the Yiddish Press. 
 20,000 leaflets were printed in Yiddish and distributed with pampli- 
 lets in English. 
 
 Chanukah was selected as National Fund Day. Meetings 
 were directed to be and were subsequently held in the main centres 
 of the United Kingdom ; special circulars were prepared and 
 were printed in Hebrew and English, and were distributed generally 
 and particularly amongst the Ministers and Presidents of Synagogues 
 
 Special Conferences of honorary workers were held, with the 
 result that on National Fund Day a substantial sum was collected. 
 
 A successful collection for the National and Yemenite Funds 
 was also arranged throughout the United Kingdom on Purim. 
 
 Special arrangements were made for collections on the Herzl 
 Yahrzeit and on the 9th of Ab. 
 
 The Commissioners are taking steps to secure as large a number 
 as possible of annual subscribers to the National Fund, so that an 
 assured income may be secured for the Fund. 
 
 From June, 1913, to August, 1914, the work of the Jewish 
 National Fund in England continued with satisfactory results. 
 During this period nearly £1,000 was collected from various 
 sources, aided substantially by the holding of two Flower Days, 
 the first in October, 1913, and the second in June, 1914, in London 
 and important Provincial Towns. The nett collections for these 
 two days amounted to £196 7s. Od. and £340 5s. Od. respectively. 
 
 Substantial contributions were obtained for the Yemenite 
 Jews and the response from London and the Provinces in other 
 directions was good. 
 
 The East London Commission have been successful in their 
 local work in East London, which has been of great assistance 
 to the Commission. 
 
 Before the War lists of all donations were regularly published 
 in the Yiddish journals, copies of which were distributed in 
 London and the Provinces. Donations also appeared in the 
 monthly " Zionist," copies of which were similarly distributed. 
 
 The formation of Provincial Commissions resulted in increased 
 donations from the Provinces. In 1913 collections were organised 
 on Herzl Day, on Tishah B\4v, and on other anniversaries. 
 For Erev Yom Kippiir arrangements were made and duly 
 advertised in the Yiddish Press. Leaflets were printed in Yiddish 
 and distributed with Pamphlets in English, and special Synagogue 
 and street collections were organised. Chanucah, December 
 28th, 1913, was selected as National Fund Day. Meetings were 
 held in important centres of the United Kingdom, special circulars 
 were prepared and were printed in Hebrew and English, and 
 were distributed generally, particularly amongst the Ministers 
 and residents of Synagogues. 
 
 11. THE POSITION ABROAD. 
 {a) In Russia. 
 
 Up to a comparatively recent date work for the Jewish 
 National Fund in Russia had not been seriously interrupted,
 
 and devotion to the institutions had been shewn in a marked 
 manner notwithstanding the fact that the National Fund is 
 not legally recognised by the Russian Government. 
 (6) In the United States and British Colonies 
 
 American Zionists of all parties are working zealovisly to 
 enlarge the National Fund organisation. A FloAver Day recently 
 held in the United States brought in three times the amount 
 collected in the jareceding year. In addition a Flag Day took 
 place on Purim. at which Je%vish National Fund voluntary 
 workers sold little flags in the streets and from house to house 
 on behalf of the Fund. The new enterprise was sympathetically 
 received and has jDroved excellent as propaganda. The Flag 
 day is suitable also for being developed into a national demon- 
 stration of the Jewish people for their Flag. The amount col- 
 lected in the first half year of 1915 amounted to $28,000. 
 
 In all English colonies work is being carried on, and sub- 
 stantial collections are reported from South Africa and Canada. 
 There has been a general resumption of Avork on behalf of the 
 Jewish National Fund. 
 
 12. CONCLUSION. 
 
 In the foregoing pages an endeavour has been made to set 
 forth the character, aims and working of the Jewish National 
 Fund. It will be readily gathered that it is impossible for the 
 Fund to develop of itself. It is only by the indefatigable and 
 uninterrupted labour of all its representatives along with well 
 directed and energetic efforts on the part of the Central adminis- 
 tration, that success can be secured. 
 
 The best service that can be rendered is to spread widely 
 as possible knowledge of all its objects and their high moral 
 and national significance. 
 
 By the appointment of a National Fund Commission in 
 each centre, by organising various groups and obtaining their 
 co-operation in making collections, valuable work can be done. 
 The more active the communications of the Conmiissions with 
 the Central Office, the more strength will be imparted to the 
 National Fund movement. 
 
 Contributors should remember tluit by their offerings they 
 arc performing great national work. The Jewish National 
 Fund relies for its activities and its resources upon the ready 
 and enthusiastic support of the masses. Herein lies the signifi- 
 cance (jf the Fund. The task that will confront it after the 
 present coiiMict will rccpiire all the courMge, strength and means 
 available. Coloiii/ation work will have to l)e \igorously continued, 
 and (i(\(l()|)((l. and to that end the (;()nfi(lence of Jews in all 
 parts of the world imisl l)c secured. Tiie support of the 
 .Jewish National I'uiid is needed in every enter[)rise and it 
 should be the aim of every Jew to l"oster all the cnlluisiasni 
 he can for flic Fund :ukI nil that it represeiits.
 
 
 u:.?'\w;£Jis/SfJkTk''!>'A^mmm\ivmim,'Xi*^r: 
 
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