Jewish Agency to Approach Problems of Jews on a Global Basis

“The problem of the trend toward assimilation, which is troubling Jews of both Israel and the Diaspora, has made necessary a reorientation of the thinking of the World Zionist movement, ” Mrs. Rose L. Halprin, chairman of the American section of the Jewish Agency, declared here today, following her return from Israel where she attended a plenary session of the Jewish Agency executive.

“This was the major problem on our minds, ” said Mrs. Halprin, “as we worked on the agenda for the 26th World Zionist Congress, which will be held in Jerusalem this coming December. The problems facing the Jews of the Diaspora and the Jews of Israel are so closely inter-related that we cannot try to seek solutions for the Diaspora Jews without considering the problems of Israeli Jews. Nor can Israel concern itself with problems of its own Jewry without an awareness of the problems of Jews elsewhere throughout the world.

“More and more, we’re reaching a point where we cannot departmentalize our thinking on the problems of Israel, American Jews, Latin American Jews, European Jews, etc. The problems of Jews throughout the world are inseparable, and we must approach them on a global basis, ” Mrs. Halprin stressed. She said that this need has been recognized by both Prime Minister Eshkol and the Israelis, as well as by the leaders of the Zionist movement throughout the world.

“Zionists, ” she continued, “cannot think only in terms of Israel, nor can we program our activities only in terms of the Jewish State. We must work closer than ever with other Jewish organizations and groups throughout the world. This is apparent as one views the World Jewish Congress meetings now being held in Jerusalem, and will be further highlighted by developments at two other world conferences being held in Geneva this summer — that of the Conference of Jewish Organizations, meeting on July 31; and the Conference of the World Council on Jewish Education, meeting August 1-3.

“Every Zionist leader, and all Zionist groups, ” she said, “should face the future with a dual orientation: the new approach must face in two directions, the Diaspora and Israel.”

Mrs. Halprin also reported that the plenary session of the Jewish Agency executive had settled the question of the allocation of special funds for use by General Zionists in their constructive programs in Israel. These funds are used to supplement and fortify the programs of the Jewish Agency in youth villages, in agricultural settlements and in the absorption of newcomers. The funds will be divided equally between the World Confederation of General Zionists, headed by Dr. Israel Goldstein and Mrs. Halprin; and the World Union of General Zionists, headed by Dr. Emanuel Neumann.