Brith Sholom Pledges Aid to Palestine, Seen More Vital Now

Aid to Palestine will continue to be one of the cardinal policies of the independent Order Brith Sholom, especially now, when “Palestine has become a vital link in the military chain holding off the Nazi forces,” Grand Master Louis Levine declared in his message today at the opening session of the order’s 36th annual three-day convention here.

The convention, attended by 1,000 delegates and guests representing more than 40,000 members, is expected to pass a number of resolutions concerning Jewish life in the United States and Europe. One of the features of the convention will be presentation of the third mobile kitchen under the orders “aid-to-Britain” program

In his message, Grand Master Levine recommended that each member be taxed 35 cents for the Relief and Philanthropy Fund which the order maintains. He emphasized that Brith Shalom “did pioneer work in the strengthening of Palestine when it purchased 25,000 dunams of land for the Jewish National Home” and praised the Joint Distribution Committee for its relief activities for victims of the Nazi regime in Europe.

Speaking on the order’s aid-to-Britain campaign, Levine urged members to forget grievances they may have against Britain for not fulfilling her obligations to establish a Jewish National Home in Palestine. “These controversies with Britain dwindle into insignificance in view of Britain’s present struggle to preserve civilization,” he stated.

The Rev Maurice L. Perlzweig, British Zionist leader and member of the Executive of the World Jewish Congress, was the guest speaker at the afternoon session; stressing the present necessity for Jewish unity in thought and action. Senator James M. Mead, who was scheduled to speak, was forced by international developments to remain in Washington.