THE UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—At the Third Annual Conference of the Inter-University Jewish Federation held at Oriel College, Oxford, on August 3rd, 1920, it was unanimously resolved, in response to a request of the Zionist Organization, to render every possible assistance to all efforts on behalf of the Hebrew University at Jerusalem. The most urgent need at the present juncture is an immediate and abundant supply of books for the Jerusalem University Library. We can conceive no cause more precious and com- mendable than the full development and firm consolidation of the intellectual and spiritual resources of the Jewish National Rome. To this end books are the first requisite. In a scarcity of books the mind of a people is denied free expansion and healthy growth. To Jews, with their love of learning, the want of books is most distressing. In Palestine, unfortunately, there is a real book famine, and even with help from all over the world it will need a great effort to build up the present University Library of about 40,000 volumes into an up-to-date library worthy of the Jewish University. Serious works dealing with all branches of knowledge, standard works of fiction in any language, and more especially books which will be of use to University students are needed. Books on Hebraica, Judaica and Semitica, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Medical Research are, however, the most urgently called for, as the first departments of the University that are to be opened will deal in research in these subjects. Books on Law, Economics, History, and Philosophy will also be much appreciated. Sets of Scientific Journals, Transactions of Learned Societies, Official Reports, and other publications and works and pamphlets of permanent value are especially re- quired; good text-books of established repute will also be useful.
Considering that this is an important step towards a spiritual reviral of Palestine and that our credit as an enlightened people is at stake, we appeal to your readers to send all the books they can spare as a free-will offering to those who will treasure them in Palestine. A single book will be welcome, but it is hoped that donors will send as many as they can. Gifts of books may be sent either direct to " The University Library, Jerusalem," or to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. D. B. Stanhill, B.Sc., F.1.0., 75 Great Russell Street, London, W.C. 1, who will,
if necessary, arrange for the collection of the books. An artistically designed book-plate, the generous work of Mrs. L. Piliohowski (Lena Pillioo) will permanently record the names of the donors.—We are, Sir, ho., S. ALEXANDER, Chairman. Iszsat. M. Snair, Treasurer. D. B. STANHILL, Hon. Secretary. HARRY Dsonr, Chairman I.U.J.F.
[Whatever view we may take of the establishment of a Zionist State in Palestine, this must be a good object, and we sincerely hope that Jerusalem may have the essential of a seat of learn- ing—a good library of all literature, i.e., a universal, not a par- ticularist collection of books. Further, we trust that the literary wants of the Arab and Christian populations of Jeru- salem and Palestine will not be forgotten. Even if Palestine is to become a National Home for the Jews it remains the National Home of the existing Palestinian population.—En. Spectator.1
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