The South African Zionist Federation this week celebrates its 50th anniversary. A special edition of the Zionist Record, organ of the Federation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, appeared here today.
Included among the Record’s many special features and articles are messages from President Chaim Weizmann of Israel, Premier David Ban Gurion and Jewish National Fund director Dr. Abraham Granovsky. Asserting that the South African Zionists “enthusiasm and Judgment have been a tower of strength” to the leaders of Zionism, Dr. Weizmenn added: “Only those possessing intimate knowledge of the history of the last 30 years know of the yeoman service rendered by your Federation during the most critical phases of our movement.”
Ben Gurion’s message stated that “we in Israel are proud of the role that South African Jewry has played in helping to make the Jewish state a reality.” He pointed out that in fund raising the South African Jewish community has done more proportionately than any other country except Israel, but called for a renewed effort to send greater numbers of chalutzim to the Jewish state. A special tribute is paid in the Zionist Record to the historic role played by Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts in behalf of Zionism.
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.
