DOMESTIC AND CULTURED WOMEN

Southland Times, Issue 23586, 13 August 1938, Page 16

DOMESTIC AND CULTURED WOMEN

Dr Benzoin Shein, who has planned an extensive lecture tour in Australia, brings interesting news .from Palestine of the activities of women there in various branches of domestic and/cultural arts.

In the following interview with a representative of The Sydney Morning Herald, ije tells of the intense interest Jewish women are taking in higher education.

In meeting Dr Shein, one is impressed by his amazing knowledge of Jerusalem, past and present, and by his enthusiasm for the mode of living which women of the new Jerusalem have chosen. In discussing the 100,000 women already there, he says:— “They come from many countries and have been educated to study the philosophy of life. They have in most cases, found it. They have accepted the attitude of such fine men as Van-de-Velder, the noted Dutchman.” I ventured to plunge into the evergreen question of what the women of Palestine are doing. “What about domestic training and its work?” I asked, somewhat shyly. “Oh,” replied the enthusiastic doctor, “quite the best-educated girls always include domestic education as leading to their future happiness. It is a part of their lives. Indeed, they honour work.” And, with this steadfast assertion, he smiled, adding, “Also, contrary to popular belief, they do not include card-playing among their pasttimes!”

Notable visitors are always welcomed and remembered with special admiration. The famous South African author, Sara Gertrude, who has written many novels, Dr Shein met frequently. She admitted that she arrived in Palestine without an open mind, but with a decidedly prejudiced one—and left the country full of enthusiasm for the success of the new settlement.

“Music?" was my next query. “The very highest standard,” said Dr Shein, “for the Palestine Circle was founded by Huberman. This association is one of the finest in the world. It has 72 performers. The great Toscanini has visited Jerusalem on two occasions to conduct the concerts —also Malcolm Sargent—so well known in Australia.”

Red ochre and whiting, mixed in equal parts, makes a pleasing colour for the fireplace.