English Aristocrats Gather to Raise Deficit Fund for London Talmud Torahs

Members of the English aristocracy gathered last night at a private dinner at the home of the Hon. Evan Morgan, eldest son of Lord Tredegar and private chamberlain of Pope Pius XI, for the purpose of aiding the Talmud Torahs, Hebrew religious schools, of Whitechapel, London’s East Side.

Lord Melchett was the only Jew present at the dinner, which was held for the purpose of raising the amount of £11,000 to cover the deficit incurred in the erection of the Whitechapel Talmud Torahs, Lord Melchett was chosen chairman of the committee of appeal and the non-Jews present pledged their financial support.

The Hon. Evan Morgan, who opened the discussion on the subject, stated in explanation of his interest in the Whitechapel Talmud Torahs that he felt that modern times require the unswerving guidance of morality and ethics. He visualizes, he said, an early fight between the religious and the anti-religionists. He therefore desires that the forces of law prevail against the “pernicious Bolshevism.” He desires to create a bulwark against these forces.

Lord Melchett, in accepting the chairmanship of the committee, announced his contribution of £500. The maintenance of Talmud Torahs is essential to all those who wish to see the children of their people brought up in the religion of their fathers, and to all those who maintain the teachings and traditions of their great religion. As president of the Federation of English Zionists he will probably have to play an important part in the work of the Jewish Agency, being devoted greatly to the rebuilding of Eretz Israel, and feeling that no project is nearer to his heart than the idealism of the Jewish people demonstrated in the rebuilding of the national home. This enormous task has somewhat obscured his interest in the nearby communal work. He is therefore glad, now, to have the occasion of aiding this committee and not neglecting the duties that are nearest to his door.