Hadassah Makes Reply to Lipsky’s Criticism of Unconstitutional Action

Reaffirming its “interest in the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency,” the leaders of the Hadassah, women’s Zionist organization in America, issued a statement yesterday in reply to the criticism of Louis Lipsky that their action at the last national board meeting was unconstitutional.

The statement confirmed the report of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the Hadassah leaders will not attend the Washington oppositional conference and expressed “resentment” at the charge that its national board had no authority to vote “the way it did” at its meeting last Sunday. The program adopted then is now being sent to every chapter of the Hadassah throughout the country and action on it will be taken at the next convention.

The statement read: “The National Board resents the declaration contained in a signed editorial by Louis Lipsky in the current issue of the New Palestine in which it is stated that the National Board had no authority to vote as it did at its meeting held last week. The National Board has every power to call meetings between conventions to decide on what it considers important matters of the organization, according to the constitution.

“The majority of the members of the National Board of Hadassah feel that its organization should take some stand in connection with the present administration of the Z. O. A.; otherwise the Board members feel that they would not be fulfilling their duty as members of the Z. O. A., of which Hadassah constitutes more than half the membership. In its effort to do everything in its power to help build up the Homeland, the National Board feels that the movement must not be made to suffer because of any action of individuals. It cannot see where criticism of an organization, especially constructive criticism, is hurtful, and it cannot understand the attitude of Mr. Lipsky in taking offense at having our body find fault with the work of the present administration of the Z. O. A.

“In his statement he says that the action taken by the Board last week must represent the attitude of Hadassah. This is true. The National Board does represent Hadassah. Hadassah would like to know whether this particular statement over Mr. Lipsky’s signature represents the views of the administration of the Z. O. A. Is he speaking for the entire organization when he makes the statement he does over his own name?

“The National Board wants to deny categorically that the ‘no confidence’ vote that was passed at the final session of its conference was prearranged. The meeting of the National Board called last week was held for the purpose of clarifying the views of individual members in regard to what attitude Hadassah should take in connection with the work of the present administration of the Z. O. A. The New York members of the National Board have every right, according to the constitution of Hadassah, to meet and consider projects of importance to the organization, but in this instance the New York members felt that is should call together the entire membership of the national Board from all parts of the land and in addition thereto invite the regional heads and chairmen of Hadassah chapters. The issue that was before it was of tremendous importance, and the National Board wanted every member to express its views on it. And they did.

“The purpose of the meeting was to place all the facts before the entire National Board and consider the situation calmly and wisely and prepare a definite constructive program of action. This program which was adopted is now being sent to every chapter of Hadassah, and action on it will be taken at the next convention.

“The National Board reaffirms its interest in the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency. It also wants to make clear that is is not lined up with the opposition to the present administration. A statement to this effect is found in the Jewish Daily Bulletin of April 26th: ‘No officer of the Hadassah, Women’s Zionist Organization, whose national board passed a resolution of “no confidence” in the present administration at a meeting held last Sunday, has signed the call, and as far as could be ascertained, no officer of the Hadassah will participate in the proceedings of the conference.’

“The movement for Palestine is bigger than any individual, or any group of individuals, and individuals must learn to discipline themselves for the cause, even if that discipline involves the acceptance of conditions that entail personal sacrifice. Hadassah has never doubted the sincerity of Mr.. Lipsky’s leadeship through many years, but is feels that he has proved himself inadequate to handle conditions that have now arisen. The test of his sincerity for Palestine must be found in the personal attitude that he takes in the present crisis.”