Leaders of Jewish organizations in America today honored Mr. Nathan Gesang, one of the most prominent Jewish personalities in Argentina, at a luncheon tendered him at the Hotel Sharon by Ezra Teubal, chairman of the Argentine Committee of the Jewish Agency for Palestine.
Dr. David de Sole Pool, who presided at the luncheon, emphasized the great services rendered by Mr. Gesang to the Zionist cause and to the Jewish community of Argentina of which he is a leader. The role of Mr. Gesang in promoting the “good neighbor” policy between the Jews of Latin America and the Jews of the United States was pointed out by Dr. Nahum Goldman who spoke in behalf of the World Jewish Congress.
Mr. Teubal, the principal speaker, who is himself one of the outstanding figures in Argentine’s Jewish life, characterized Mr. Gesang as one of the few builders of Jewish communal life in Argentina. ”It is due to Mr. Gesang’s unceasing work that the Jewish Community of Argentina has been imbued with a sense of Jewish consciousness and responsibility, and has taken its place among all other Jewish communities which shoulder the many burdens with which we are confronted,” Mr. Teubal said.
“Mr. Gesang,” he continued,” came to Argentina more than than thirty years ago and devoted himself with real enthusiasm and ability to every meritorious Jewish cause. It is due to Mr. Gesang that the Zionist movement has taken the lead in Argentina, that substantial sums have been collected every year in Argentina for the upbuilding of Palestine. His wise counsel, his moderation, his statesmanlike conduct whenever difficult problems arose have endeared him to all members of our community.”
ARGENTINE LEADERS CALL FOR JEWISH UNITY IN AMERICA
Expressing the hope that “the end of this war will see the realization of the Balfour Delegation and that a Jewish Palestine will at last emerge, “Mr. Teubal pointed out that unity in Jewry is now the most essential need of the time. “On behalf of Argentine Jewry I most earnestly wish to appeal to American Jewish leadership of united section,” he said. and particularly the problem of fighting anti-Semitism, which vicious Nazi propaganda has intensified.”
Mr. Gesang in replying to the speakers, emphasized that the Jews of the Jews of the American continent are now, more than ever before, responsible for the future of the Jews in the entire world. Only in this hemisphere do the Jews enjoy the blessing of freedom, he declared, stating that they should, therefore, mobilize all their forces for the good of the millions of Jews who are suffering under the ruthless enemy who wishes to destroy the Jews of the world in the literal sense of the word. He called upon the Jews in America to close their ranks and to refrain from indulging in fratricidal strife. Ideological differences, he declared, must now be relegated to the back ground. He concluded by praising organized Jewish life in America with which he became acquainted during his stay here by visiting Jewish institutions.
Zalman Schneur, the Jewish poet, the Jewish poet, spoke of Mr. Gesang’s deep interest in all phases of Jewish life and read a Hebrew poem dedicated to him.
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