Abraham's Vineyard

Other Jewish Institutions.

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As to other Jewish institutions which have sprung into existence, it is utterly impossible to enumerate them all, much less to describe them in detail. We can but mention a few typical ones. Not the least noteworthy is the "Bezalel Institute of Arts and Crafts." It was founded by, and is under the management of, Professor Boris Schatz, with the object of utilizing Jewish talent for Jewish ends. The professor is one of the most energetic Jews we ever met-never so pleased, apparently, as when he has two things to do at the same time. He did not found the Institute until 1905, and yet already finds employment for some 600 or 700 Jews and Jewesses. The annual turnover now runs into five figures sterling.

Abraham's Vineyard.

Another good institution is that founded by Mrs. E. A. Finn, widow of a late British Consul, on a plot of desolate land north-west of Jerusalem. It is known as Abraham's Vineyard, and is managed by Mr. W. H. Dunn (son of the late Admiral Dunn), whose love for the poor willing Jew is equalled by his tact in managing such a motley crew as we saw there from time to time. If a Jew is hard up, wants work, and is willing to work, Mr. Dunn will oblige him. If he is ill and cannot work, Mr. Dunn will send him to one of the Jewish hospitals. If he is well and won't work, Mr. Dunn will send him about his business. Employment is sometimes found for over a 100 Jews-cistern digging, soap making, wall building, and garden work. We enquired the

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nationality of the Jews then at work, and found all sorts-Russian, German, Spanish, American, Roumanian, Persian, Egyptian, Yemenite-all in keeping with Jeremiah xxxii. 37 :—

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath ; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely."

"Neither Bars nor Gates."

To one well versed in the writings of "Moses and the Prophets" it is impossible to walk about Zion and the other Holy Places without some text or other coming prominently into mind, and the fact of some prophecy or other being fulfilled coming into evidence before one's very eyes. For instance, while roaming about that remarkable colony called Meah Shearim, with its 3,000 inhabitants (all Jews), and which was founded in 1860 (see page 28), we were forcibly struck by the fact that between some of the houses which are part and parcel of the colony, and form, as it were, a wall theretoremoved gates were lying against the side walls of the end houses: gates which had once been hanging in position, so as to be shut at night, and thus close the colony against all outsiders. The sockets were still intact in the brick walls of the houses. We enquired of our guide and companion, Dr. Maurice Franklin, why they were not still in position, and thus answering their evident object. It appears that when this colony was founded, the gates of Jerusalem were always shut between

Blood Ritual

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sunset and sunrise for safety's sake, and when Meah Shearim was built it likewise was made to accommodate itself to such conditions. A year or so, however, before our visit, the Turkish soldiers, acting on instructions from the authorities, came one night and removed all the gates from their sockets or hinges, and placed them where they now stand. At once our mind reverted to Ezekiel xxxviii. 11, where we read of certain villages

"That are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither, bars nor gates."

A coincidence, merely!

Nay, surely something more than that. Here was a walled village, with bars and gates-the only Jewish Colony which was not in keeping with the letter of the text above cited-now taking its place with the other "unwalled villages", and "having neither bars nor gates."

Blood Ritual.

While engaged in our investigations, we had ample opportunity of discovering how false the "Blood accusation" is. It is a wicked charge, for which the Russians are mainly responsible, and for which there will be a terrible reckoning by-and-by. with the God of Israel, Who has said, "Cursed is he that curseth thee " (Numbers xxiv. 9). The odious charge is always associated with the Passover Feast, and so we took the opportunity of catching unawares the Jewish bakers in preparing for it. Space would not allow us, even did the purpose of writing this