Don’t be Jews of silence…protest, demonstrate, pressure your government.” Dr. Mikhail Zand, Russian born university professor, implored the 800 Pioneer Women delegates and friends who assembled in St. Louis last week for their 22nd National Biennial Convention to continue and to intensify their efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry. “This is an outcry from my heart,” Dr. Zand stated. “Don’t forget your brothers and sisters in the Soviet Union who are slaves in their own country–who are struggling to be Jewish in Russia or to be repatriated to Israel.” Dr. Zand, jailed after a peaceful sit-in on behalf of Soviet Jewry, had been allowed to emigrate to Israel two months ago after his two-week hunger strike attracted world attention. Accompanied by his wife, Nelly, he met with Pioneer Women leaders during their four-day convention, September 12-15.
Prime Minister Golda Meir made a surprise film appearance at the Pioneer Women gathering during a special tribute luncheon to honor Beba Idelson, international president of Pioneer Women-Moetzet Hapoalot and her organization’s 50th anniversary. Pioneer Women is the overseas arm of Moetzet Hapoalot, the largest women’s organization in Israel. Expressing her regrets at her inability to appear in person, Mrs. Meir congratulated the Pioneer Women assembly on their “extraordinary record of achievement” and “unwavering spirit and work on behalf of Israel.” Speaking of Mrs. Idelson, Prime Minister Meir called her “one of the outstanding personalities in Israel for decades.” Mrs. Meir is herself a former Pioneer Women leader, having served as the organization’s national secretary in the United States from 1932 to 1934.
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.
