Jewish Education Work in South Africa Faces Financial Difficulties

A proposal that the South African Zionist Federation allocate for Jewish education funds from the United Israel Appeal was side-tracked today at the Federation’s convention and the issue was left to the incoming executive to handle. Sol Yellin, chairman of the South African Board of Jewish Education, described the difficulties of expanding the Jewish day school structure and proposed a resolution for allocation of Israel Appeal funds.

Judge Simon Kuper, former Zionist Federation chairman, said funds contributed to Israel appeals must go to Israel and that the Zionist Federation was not entitled to divert any part of it for education purposes in South Africa. He was supported by delegates from the provinces. Israel Dunsky, outgoing chairman, said that the Zionist Federation supported Judge Kuper. He urged that the education finance program be met by a national campaign in which the Zionist Federation would throw its full weight. He also proposed appeals to congregations for special membership levies and to Jewish institutions for special grants. He proposed finally that a special Commission be named to examine the entire problem.

The delegates thereupon approved a resolution recording “fullest support” for Jewish education and pledging the incoming executive to meet with Jewish Education Board leaders to plan a solution to the problem. In another resolution, the delegates urged the incoming executive to explore the possibilities of a return to the Zionist Federation of the South African Revisionists who were expelled two years ago for breaching the Federation’s fund-raising agreement. The Revisionists conducted a separate campaign for the Herut party and have functioned since as a separate group.