A resolution calling for the unification of all Zionist and pro-Israel groups in the United States into one body was adopted at the closing session here today of the convention of the American Jewish League for Israel. Samuel Daroff, of Philadelphia, was elected president of the organization succeeding Ezra Shapiro.
The convention pledged support to the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel and urged League members to participate in the United Jewish Appeal, in the Israel Bond Organization and other programs in support of Israel. Other resolutions felicitated Israel on the country’s 12th anniversary, called upon the new executive of the organization to prepare to hold a youth pilgrimage in Israel in the summer of 1961 and to launch an intensive membership drive in those Jewish communities where the League has not established itself. Samuel Rothstein of Brooklyn was elected chairman of the League ‘s executive committee and Samuel Rothberg of Peoria, Ill., was reelected chairman of the League’s board of directors.
A call for increased private investments by Americans in Israel’s economy was made today at the assembly by Pinhas Sapir, Israel’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Sapir explained the recent changes in Israeli law which provide liberal terms for foreign investments in that country. He praised such efforts by Americans as the Israel Investors Corporation which, in its first year of existence, invested $4, 000,000 in Israeli Government enterprises. The corporation is headed by Mr. Rothberg.
Avraham Harman, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, delivered a speech on the 12th anniversary of the State of Israel. He noted that Israel has made great improvements in this time and referred to the great policies which have enabled her to do so. Ambassador Harman said that Israel’s development and accomplishments in the years ahead will be influenced more by one factory than by many resolutions.
Louis Lipsky, founder of the American Zionist movement, spoke on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Theodor Herzl, founder of the world Zionist movement. Mr. Lipsky, honorary president of the League, outlined the forces and circumstances which had brought Herzl to Zionism and of the fulfillment of the Herzlian vision and prophecy in the emergence of the State of Israel.
Other speakers included Dr. Israel Goldstein, Judge Louis E. Levinthal and Ezra Shapiro who opened the two-day national assembly. Mrs. Rose Halprin, acting chairman of the American section of the Jewish Agency, greeted the delegates on behalf of the Agency. Mr. Shapiro stated that promulgation of the Zionist unification plan would be extremely important at this time when all Zionist and pro-Israel groups in this country are faced with problems of readjustment as a result of the changes in the method of operation announced by the Jewish Agency for Israel in New York three weeks ago.
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.
