Stress Education and Membership Aspects of Zionism

Emphasis henceforth on the educational and membership aspects of Zionist affiliation, rather than money-raising, was the keynote sounded here yesterday at a state conference of the New Jersey Zionist region, held in the Y.M.-Y.W.H.A Building.

“Bring the movement back to the masses” was the term used by Mo#decai L. Lipis, president of the Newark Zionist District, in addressing the conference. This view was re-emphasized by Joseph Kraemer of this city speaking at the dinner which closed the conference, as a member of the administrative committee of the Zionist Organization of America.

Morris Rothenberg, president of the Zionist Organization of America, who was guest of honor at the dinner, acknowledged during the course of his address that Zionist memberships “during the years between 1927 and 1930 had suffered a drop of 25 per cent, and between 1930 and 1932, a decline of nearly fifty per cent.”

“With membership campaigns now under way, however the end of this year should show a substantial increase,” he said.

Mr. Rothenberg asserted that he is now “making a determined effort to remove any friction among Zionist leaders for there really are no fundamental differences in our ranks.”

In addition to Mr. Lipsky and Mr. Kraemer, other speakers at the dinner and conference were Philip J. Schotland, retiring president of the Region; Aaron Levinstone, Mr. Mintz, Henry Rosenbaum, of Plainfield; and Rabbi

Julius Silberfeld, who acted as toastmaster.

Others who addressed the conference were Miss Sarah Kussy, Louis Hochberg, Aaron Herr, formerly of Newark and now residing with his family in Palestine; A. J. Goldstein, of Jersey City; Dr. S. S. Lefkowitz of Hackensack and Morris Rudensky, of the Jewish National Fund, New York.

A suggestion made by Rabbi Leon S. Lang, of this city, that those who have visited Palestine and know about the country, be organized here to act as a propaganda medium, was later incorporated in a resolution and passed.

At the close of the conference, Rabbi Julius Silberfeld, who is spiritual leader of Temple B’nai Abraham, was unanimously elected president of the Region. Long identified with the movement, Rabbi Silberfeld in 1920 served as head of the Newark Zionist District. Other officers chosen were: Vice Chairmen: Mr. Rosenbaum, Miss Kussy, A. J. Goldstein, of Jersey City; and Mr. Levinstone; treasurer, Mr. Lipis and secretary, Mr. Mintz.

The convention voted endorsement of the George Washington Forest project in Palestine, activity for which will start here soon. The delegates also voted a state reception for Dr. Chaim Weizmann, former president of the World Zionist Organization, when he comes to the United States. Resolutions were also adopted for membership drives in districts and also formation of young folks’ groups.