Labor Delegate Lauds U.S. Jews’ Palestine Role

Baruch Zuckerman, Palestine Laborite representative, addresseding the Pioneer Women’s organization convention at its session at the Hotel Graemere, declared that American Jewry was becoming a vital factor in the upbuilding of Palestine. Americans, he said. were also coming to Palestine as pioneers, thus strengthening the bonds between the two countries and creating a closer relationship between Eretz Israel and the United States.

Discussing the sharp decline in the Jewish agricultural population, the labor leader declared that in 1931, twenty-six per cent of 46,000 Jews were on the land, while today only twenty-four per cent of 70,000 Jews made their living in agriculture.

Following the address, David Rabelsky, director of the Middle West bureau of the Poale Zion party, led a discussion on the problem of raising funds for organizing American chalutzim groups for Palestine. The convention also discussed the work of the newly created League for Labor Palestine.

An earlier session of the convention was devoted to a discussion of youth and cultural problems. Mrs. Tania Berkut of Los Angeles, who presided, reported that affiliated youth groups had grown from two to sixteen since 1932.

A discussion led by Dorothy Steinberg, Miriam Shapiro and Tama Schultz, members of the central youth committee, pointed out the possibilities of developing youth work, continuation of which the convention authorized.

In a demonstration of the cultural work of the organization, participated in by Mrs. Sara Lipschitz, Mrs. Rose Surkin and Dorothea Rothbard, stress was laid on the significance of the cultural work for women and children through a program of lectures, concerts, and discussions in political, social and economic problems.

Part of the session was devoted to a discussion of organizational problems, particularly cooperation with other women’s organizations.