Speech #680218869

The New Jersey Colonies were the sole exceptions. because they were more favorably located and close enough to New York and Philadelphia to command -the attention of the Jewish public in the two largest centers of Jewish population. These repeated failures chilled the ardhr of farm enthusiasts. But the fresh outbreak of persecution in Russia in 1889 brought a heavier influx of immigration and interest in colonization was reawakened. At this stage Baron Maurice de Hirsch. who had previously assisted the farmers in South Jersey. offered to establish a fund of $2.400.000. the income from which was to be utilized for the improvement of the conditions of the Jews driven from their homes through political and religious oppression. On February 12. 1891. the Baron de Hirsch Fund was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York.