American Zionist Problems Discussed at Actions Committee Session

Sharp differences of opinion about the state of American Zionism and proposals to enhance it by American Zionist leaders marked general debate today during the current session of the World Zionist Actions committee, ruling body of world Zionism between Zionist Congresses.

Mrs. Rose Halprin, Jewish Agency and Hadassah leader, urged changes in the “form” of the Zionist Congress and the Zionist Actions Committee. She said there was an “awakening” among Jews and that ways should be found to attract additional elements such as members of Conservative Judaism to the movement. She called “dangerous” a statement by Moshe Sharett, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, that the world Zionist movement was threatened unless a unified Zionist organization was set up in the United States.

Max Bressler, president of the Zionist Organization of America, contended that there was a lack of leadership in the American movement, which he called “a flock without a shepherd.” He said the “lack of leadership” stemmed from the activities of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He said every president, in addition to being constantly busy, was always faced with the question of the interest of his own group.

Rabbi Mordecai Kirshblum, American Mizrachi leader, voiced strong opposition to the proposal from Dr. Nahum Goldmann for unification of the various American Zionist groups. He said “we religious Zionists will never agree to any decisions of this kind.”

Dr. Miriam Freund, former Hadassah president, rejected the “gloomy picture of American Jewry which some persons paint.” She said there was a national and religious renaissance all along the line in the American Jewish community. However, she said the American Zionist Council lacked “collective leadership.” Arguing that parity strife only “hindered” the work of American Zionism, she urged more understanding among the Zionist groups.

Other speakers from other countries urged greater Zionist support for educational activities and the need to “infuse more life” into the Zionist movement. Much criticism was voiced of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s attitude against the Zionist movement.

Members of the Actions Committee held a closed meeting today devoted to the Jewish Agency’s immigration and immigrant-absorption problems. They were briefed by S. Z. Shragai, head of the Agency’s immigration department, and Aharon Zisling, chief of the absorption department.

Mr. Shragai gave the leaders a vivid picture of the current immigration, and of the problems to confront his department in the near future. Mr. Zisling reported that every new immigrant now reaches his designated “place of absorption” within 12 hours of his arrival. Last year, however, he said, his department transferred 400 families from one absorption locale to another, illustrating the complexity of finding the right place for each family.