of Jews in Palestine and by a large proportion of their elders. The Jewish newspapers are published in it. It is the language of instruction in the schools and colleges, the language used for sermons in the synagogues, for political speeches and for scientific lectures.'
Organization.—When the British civil administration was set up in Palestine, the Jewish community in the country possessed no recognized ecclesiastical organization. In 1921, on the invitation of the Government, the Jews of Palestine established an elective Rabbinical Council, which embodies a lay element and is under the presidency of two joint Chief Rabbis (Abraham ha-Kohen Kuk and Jacob Meir), the one representing the Ashkenazim, the other the Sephardim.
The Jewish community of Palestine is organized for lay purposes both centrally and locally. There is a representative Jewish Council (Va'ad L'ummi, National Council) which is elected by adult Jews of all communities throughout the country. The method of election is by adult suffrage, but women have not the right to be elected as members of the Council. The original assembly was elected in the autumn of 1920 and appointed an executive committee, which deals with the Government, in respect of internal matters of the Jewish community.
In each principal town where there is a considerable Jewish population there is a committee (Va'ad ha-'Ir), which represents the local community before the local Government authorities, and which is recognized as the representative body in matters concerning the Jewish population. The Va'ad ha'-Ir is elected, usually by male suffrage. Committees of this kind exist in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Haifa, Tiberias, Safed and Hebron. They have been given the right to impose a fee on the unleavened bread, which is baked for the Passover Feast; and a scheme is being prepared by which they will obtain the right to charge other fees for services affecting the Jewish population. In all Jewish villages there is a committee (Va'ad ha-Mcshabhah), which is elected, usually by adult suffrage,
