De zoon van een gazzen

2) The Orthodox Jews, jealous for the preservation of the Jewish Faith and who find therein their complete guide in life, are ever ready to defend it, if, according to their viewpoint it is in danger. And because our com-munity, who are the pioneers of the present settlement and its institutions, have recently viewed it from the danger standpoint, they have been led to organise their community independently, being convinced that only by this course could the future preservation of the Jewish religion be assured in the country, and that by independence alone could disputes and quarrels be avoided.

A similar course was pursued by many Jewish communities in different countries, whenever Judaism was threatened by irreligion and religious enemies.

In virtue of the above observations and in the name of religious freedom, we request that a special clause be inserted in the Palestine Mandate that will assure the absolute rights and freedom of the different Jewish communities in Palestine who exist independently with their own particular rabbis, and that proper recognition be accorded them in their internal communal matters and also in their dealings with the official authorities externally.

Such a protective clause would prevent undesirable and useless com-pulsion of one part of the community on another part of the same community, which for reasons of principles, cannot recognise the former’s authority. Such compulsion, besides creating much pain and bitterness, endangers also our views and aspirations. Only an assurance of complete freedom will attract to this country Jews of all shades and opinions who are anxious to rebuild the ruins and convert desolated places into a Garden of Eden, for the good of the land and all its inhabitants.

Hoping that the above mentioned observations will receive the kind attention of the League of Nations’ Conference,

We beg to remain,

Yours very respectfully President Rabbi M. L. Bernstein Secretary Rubin S. Jungreis

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