A. Goldberg Criticizes Order Sons of Zion

(Communication to the Editor)

Sir:

As First Vice President of the Order Sons of Zion and member of the Administrative Committee of the Zionist Organization of America, I would like to make the following statement regarding the adoption by the Order Sons of Zion of the Revisionists’ program.

I desire publicly to dissociate myself from the action of the Executive Committee of the Order in adopting the Revisionists’ program. I was not present at any of the meetings at which the subject was discussed. Had I been present at these meetings, I would have given my reasons for opposing the action taken by the Order.

In dissociating myself from the policy adopted by the Order I do not mean to imply that I am opposed to all the planks of the Revisionists’ program. As a matter of fact, in public print I have expressed approval of some of the principles of Revisionism. Furthermore, I believe that Revisionism contains some constructive ideas to which Zionists may subscribe without reservations, as for example, its emphasis on securing a Jewish majority in Palestine as soon as possible. But apart from the Revisionist program it is inconceivable to me how the Order Sons of Zion, an integral part of the Zionist Organization of America, and subject to the policies adopted by the Zionist Conventions, should embark on an independent policy at a time when the parent organization is engaged in crystallizing the Zionist situation through open discussion at the meetings of its National Executive Committee, in which the Order Sons of Zion is represented.

It is still more inconceivable to me how such a fundamental change, as aligning itself with a new party in the Zionist Organization, should be made, after merely perfunctory consideration. It is the inalienable right of every organization to adopt a wrong policy, but it is not the right of an organization to make itself ridiculous in the eves of the public. In my opinion, the Order Sons of Zion, by its hasty action, has made itself ludicrous in the eyes of the Zionist world.

ABRAHAM GOLDBERG. New York, N. Y., April 3, 1926.

JEWISH COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES

Budgetary allotments totalling $4,436,171.59 have been approved for 1926 by the New York Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, it was announced by Felix M. Warburg, chairman of the board, following a meeting of the Trustees of the Federation.

The gross expenditures of the ninety-one institutions which comprise the Federation will, according to the approved budget, amount to $8,531,621.04, of which fifty-two percent is to be supplied by the federation, the balance coming from various other sources. The greatest single allowance to an affiliated institution was awarded to the Jewish Social Service Association, formerly known as the United Hebrew Charities, which is to receive $658,290 from the Federation for 1926. The institution with the greatest gross expenditure is Mount Sinai Hospital, but this institution’s revenue from private patients and other sources makes it necessary for the Federation to subsidize the hospital’s work with an allowance of only $210,116. Further allowance to Mr. Sinai include $146,917 for its Training School and $63,013 for its Social Service Department.

The approved budgets classified by types of philanthropy are as follows: Child care, $670,256.50; Delinquency, $218.812: Handicapped. $54,488; Care of Aged and Infirm, $116,466; Medical Care. $1,151,863.75; Medical Social Service, $268,649.30: Felief of Sick and Needy. $802,774.04; Religious Education. $219,011; Vocational Education. $201,318: Community Center Activities, $504,630: Fresh Air Work, $42,742; Subventions, $19,750: Federation Administration, $150,000 and additional allowances due to rehearings, $15,409.

The Congregation Sons of Israel of Bensonhurst. Brooklyn, will erect a Talmud Torah for the Jewish children of Bensouhurst. The building is to occupy a plot of 10,000 square feet at Bay 28th Street and Benson Avenue. Brooklyn. It is planned to have about 20 class rooms with accommodation for over 1,000 children, library, auditorium, gymnasium, and showers.