Hadassah Leaders Oppose Lipsky Administration, Mrs. Lindheim Declares

“I have no intention of resigning from the Administrative Committee of the Zionist Organization of America,” declares Mrs. Irma L. Lindheim, national president of the Hadassah, women’s Zionist organization, in announcing her opposition to the present administration in America “We will continue a minority within the committee,” she said.

“The Hadassah,” Mr. Lindheim continued, “is not opposed to the World Zionist Executive, of which Dr. Weizmann is the head. This is not a fight on the World Zionist Organization,” she declared. “The Hadassah will continue its support of the Zionist Executive in London and also in Palestine.”

The “Jewish Daily Bulletin” learns that Hadassah leaders have decided to send a delegation to the opposition conference which is to be held in Washington on April 15.

“The Hadassah has no connection with any group or persons in opposition to the World Zionist Organization or Dr. Weizmann,” Mrs. Lindheim stated. “It supported them at the International Congress and nothing has happened to make it change. As far as the American situation is concerned, Hadassah as an organization has taken no action, Individual leaders of Hadassah are in opposition to the present administration of the Zionist Organization in America because they feel it is not an effective instrument for the achievement of world Zionist aims for the upbuilding of Palestine. The present administration is a selfperpetuating body which has prevented the functioning of volunteer workers through the political machinations within the organization.”

Morris Rothenberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Palestine Appeal, and Vice-President of the Zionist Organization of America, when asked for a statement regarding the resignation of Dr. Stephen S. Wise, declared:

“I regret the resignation of Dr. Wise, who has rendered great service to the Zionist cause, and that he should have resigned at a time when such an action is bound to divert attention from the Unted Palestine Appeal which is now engaged in fund raising campaigns in New York and other parts of the United States.

“At this particular juncture, the failure of the United Palestine Appeal to raise and remit funds which it is pledged to contribute towards the various activities carried on in connection with the work of Jewish settlement in Palestine, would greatly add to the already heavy burdens of the Palestine Zionist Executive, and to our pioneers in Palestine who are gallantly struggling against an economic depression through which that little land has recently been passing, and from which it was just beginning to emerge.

“In New York where about one-third of the entire sum usually raised by the United Palestine Appeal is obtained, we are now in the midst of the campaign. In Chicago, another large Jewish Center, there is now also a campaign in progress, and such important Jewish centers as Philadelphia, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Paul, the Pacific Coast, and numerous smaller communities scattered throughout the United States are still to make their fund raising efforts for 1928. Dissension within the ranks which is always to be regretted, may therefore be most unfortunate for Palestine at this particular time.

“The Zionist Convention where the issues which may be raised by the dissentors will be determined is scheduled for the end of June. It would appear therefore that hostilities by those who regard them as necessary although the causes therefore seem rather obscure, might have been deferred at least until the New York and other outstanding campaigns had been held,” Mr. Rothenberg stated.