American Jewish League for Israel Favors Projected W.Z.O. Expansion

Support for the decision of the Zionist Actions Committee to have non-Zionist groups represented in the World Zionist Organization was voiced today at a meeting of the national board of directors of the American Jewish League for Israel, held at the Hotel Wellington here.

Judge Louis Levinthal, honorary president of the League and member of the 19-man Constitution Committee of the World Zionist Organization, reported on the “far-reaching and fundamental changes” in the structure of the WZO, which are now under consideration. “The overwhelming majority of American Jews,” he said, “are demonstrating their sincere concern for Israel and in the creative survival of the Jewish people. They are fully worthy of membership and representation in the World Zionist Organization without regard to political party affiliations.”

Ezra Shapiro, president of the League, outlined a program of activities for the League for the coming months. He also expressed the hope that before long, Jews living in the Soviet Union and in other Communist countries “will be given the freedom of exercising their human prerogative of emigrating to Israel, if this be their desire, especially in the process of reuniting families.”

The meeting was also addressed by Dr. Israel Goldstein, honorary president of the League, who just returned from a world tour. Dr. Goldstein said: “The most conspicuous lack in most of the Jewish communities in Asia and Africa, especially in the smaller ones, is the lack of adequate Jewish education for the youth and the woeful shortage of Jewish teachers.” He also reported that Israel is highly respected by many of the nations of Asia and Africa for its social and economic liberalism.

The meeting, which was also addressed by Louis Lipsky, decided to convene the annual conference of the League in New York during the first week in December.