A signal tribute of respect and affection was paid to Mr. and Mrs. Archibald J. Freiman of Ottawa, Dominion presidents of the Canadian Zionist Organization and the Canadian Hadassah, respectively, at a banquet celebrating their silver wedding anniversary, tendered by the National Council of the Zionist Organization of Canada at the chateau Laurier here. The ball was crowded to overflowing. Dr. and Mrs. Chaim Weltzmann were among the distiguished guests.
The splendid work of the Freimans in every cause, particularly the cause of Zion, was praised by the World Zionist leader and representatives from all parts of the Dominion and the United States. Telegrams of congratulation poured in from all over the world.
The dinner was preceded by the traditional remarriage ceremony, held with simple dignity under a canopy of white flowers, in the presence of the Freiman’s children, the immediate family and Dr. and Mrs. Weizmann. The ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Herman Abramowitz of Shaar Hasho-mayim Synagogue, Montreal, who performed their marriage ceremony twenty-five years ago. Rabbi Abramowitz acted as toastmaster of the dinner.
The assembled guests at the hanquet who rose at the entrance of the guests of honor were Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Silverman, A. A. Levin, honorary vice-president of the Canadian Zionists. Mrs. Levin, Rabbi H. Erman, Mrs. Abramowitz, Mrs. Lyon Cohen, and Mr. Lyon Cohen, honorary vice-president of the Canadian Zionists; Louis Fitch, K. C. and Mrs. Fitch, vice-president of the Canadian Hadassah repectively; Mr. and Mrs. H. Freiman Mrs. M. Bilsky of Ottawa, mother of Mrs. Freiman; Mr. and Mrs. Allan Bronfman of Montreal; Rabbi J. L. Zlomik, Executive Director of the Canadian Zionists, Mrs. Zlotnik; Mrs. Max Hapnner of Winninpeg. vice-president of the Candian Hadassah, Mrs. David Dunkelman, Mrs. Anna Zelick of Toronto, Canadian Hadassah vice-presidents; Moses Gelber, Toronto, Joseph Fineberg, treasurer Canadian Zionists.
On behalf of the World Zionist Organization, the Zionist Executive in Jerusalem and the International Women’s Zionist Organization, Dr. Weizmann congratuated Mr. and Mrs. Freiman. “I have been introduced as the uncrowned king of the Jews and as such have no honors to give. If I had, you would probably receive the highest honor of the kingdom,” Dr. Weizmann addressed the guests of honor. “I can express our deepest appreciation for you both as workers in Zion. It has been my privilege to know you for the last eight years. I know you have both been among the first to uphold the movement, when upholding it was not an easy matter. You have grown with the growth of the movement, grown morally and materially into it. I venture to say you have given to the movement as much as it has given to you. You gave it time, health and substance and have made the Canadian Zionist Organization and the Canadian Hadassah among the finest organizations in the world.
“I feel equally that the movement has strengthened you and filled out your life, that you found hope and comfort in the work.” Addressing Mrs. Freiman, Dr. Weizmann said: “I have a sigle track mind and perhaps cannot speak of the manifold other works you have done in the field outside Zion. I want to say you were able to create in Palestine in the Girls Agricultural School at Nahalal an institution among the most useful and best conducted institutions in the world, filling a gap in the work of colonization Palestine, which is giving us wives of colonists who will take a big part in the integral work of the New Palestine. I hope that this institution maintained by the Canadian Hadassah will grow from strength to strength and that you will be permitted to see with your own eyes the developments for which we hope.”
Dr. Weizmann characterized the Freimans as playing the role of leadership in Canadaian Jewry with modesty and dignity, quietly promoting its growth at the same time growing themselves into the hearts of the farflung Canadian Jewish community.
Dr. Weizmann expressed the hope that the Jewish Agency will lead eventually to a united Jewish front, that all Jewry will share the Zionist philosophy of life. As a minority the Zionists carried the burden alone for many years, but today, but now he hopes to see all Jewry sharing the privilege of participating in the work of the Jewish Agency. The purpose of the Agency is twofold, first, representing Jewry to the outside world, second, upbuilding Palestine as united Jewry, both Zionists and those grouped as the non-Zionists. Dr. Weizmann expressed the hope that next summer an Agency meeting would be held either in America, London, Berlin or Palestine which would map out the program of work for the sole interest of Zion.
Mrs. Archibald Silverman brought the greetings of the American Zionist Organization and the Hadassah. Mrs. Heppner spoke for Western Canada, Mrs. Gelber for Eastern Canada. Louis Fitch spoke for the Canadian Zionists.
Mrs. Louis Miller of Montreal presented an album containing subscribers to the new Lillian Freiman Building at Nahalal.
A touching scene was enacted when Faige Hirschman of Montreal and Ruth Davis of Ottawa, on behalf of the Ukrainian war orphans brought to Canada by Mrs. Freiman, presented the guests of honor with a loving cup and an address. A painting by Herman Struck was presented by Rabbi Zionist on behalf of the Zionist Nation Council. R. A. Darwin, Domination Keren Kayemeth Chairman, present certificates for the Golden Book of the fund. Mrs. Anna Selick and Lyon Cohen also spoke.
Speaking in simple manner, the Freshmans said they found it hard to convey the deep thanks for this tribute Mr. Freiman said that whatever he accomplished was due to the fine Jewish upbringing and Jewish atmosphere of his boyhood home and also the inspiration of his wife. Mrs. Freiman paid tribute to her parents, and to the help and guidance of her husband.
Among the congratulatory telegrams received was on from the Honorable Lyon Mackenzie-King, Prime Minister of Canada, reading: “It gives me sincere pleasure to renew at this time congratulations I extended to you on the occasion of your twenty-fifth anniversary last August. I am delighted to join with your many friends in expressing hope that an increasing measure of happiness and service may be yours in the coming year.”
M. M. Ussischkin cabled from Jerusalem; “I wish you the privilege of seeing Eretz Israel redeemed and settled completely.” The Tarbuth committee of Jerusalem sent greetings, also Col. Frederich H. Kisch on behalf of the Zionist Executive in Palestine Louis Lipsky, Doctor Schmarya Levin, Judge Julian W. Mack, Judge William M. Lewis, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada.
The 125,000 children who attend religions schools in Greater New York will be asked to contribute in a campaign to raise a fund to provide luncheons for school children in Palestine. The campaign, conducted annually by Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, will culminate during the week of Chanukah from Dec. 8 to 15. A sum of $15,000 is required to maintain this work during the coming year.
Mrs. Ethel S. Cohen, national chairman of the fund, announced that members of Hadassah, rabbis and religious school teachers in every section of the country will give talks on the work of the Palestine Luncheons Fund. The luncheons are provide to 1,400 pupils in eleven schools and as many kindergartens in Palestine.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
