“In these days when Zionism is under attack, it is well to recall and highlight the work of the Jewish National Fund, the oldest of the Zionist institutions, which turns barren areas into fruitful blooming glades, which blazes roads in the deserts, and which makes a vast contribution to preserving the environment by creating beauty spots and recreation sites.”
This was the message of President Ephraim Kairir which he voiced at the Jerusalem Theater before an overflow audience which had come to honor the JNF on its 75th birthday last Thursday. The theater hall was too small for the many hundreds of local people and overseas Jewish leaders who wished to attend the event, and many were left outside. The event was one of the climaxes of the Zionist General Council sessions.
Outgoing JNF chairman Jacob Tzur (officials have confirmed that he will soon step down–his successor is not yet known) told the audience of JNF’s program to acquire 200,000 dunams of land–mostly in border areas–for agriculture and settlement over the coming five years. Dr. Maurice Sage, president of the JNF of America, reported on progress already made in work on the Bicentennial Park near Jerusalem which is to be the JNF’s salute to the American anniversary.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
