"Gift Bond" – Certificate for Donation to the Development of the Huleh Zone – JNF – United States, 1937

"Gift Bond" – Certificate for Donation to the Development of the Huleh Zone – JNF – United States, 1937
Jewish National Fund Gift Bond for the development of the Huleh Zone in Palestine as national property of the Jewish people. Hasbrouck, Thistle & Co. Inc. printing press, New York, 1937. English.
A certificate of appreciation, for a donation of $5 for the development of the Hula, awarded by JNF to the donors Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Offin. Designed as a bond certificate. The certificate states that the donation was given on the 35th anniversary of JNF. On the back of the certificate appears a map of Palestine with areas of Jewish settlements marked on it; the Hula Valley is surrounded by a circle. The certificate is signed in the plate by Menachem Ussishkin, chairman of JNF, and Israel Goldstein, Chairman of JNF America.
The plan to develop the Hula Valley and its drainage was conducted very slowly from early 20th century. It was first managed by traders from Beirut who founded for this purpose the "Agricultural Ottoman Company", but in 1934 the franchise was transferred to the "Hachsharat HaYishuv" company. Objections to the plan, the Arab Revolt and World War II, delayed the implementation of the plan, and the drainage of the Hula started in fact only in 1951, after the establishment of the State of Israel.
27X21 cm. Good condition. A number of dark stains. Creases.
Provenance: Morton Leventhal Collection, New York.