The removal of immigration regulations from the control of the Palestine government and its transfer to the Jewish Agency for Palestine was demanded by the American Mizrachi Organization in a resolution adopted at the close of its four day convention here yesterday.
The convention also called for the formation fo a Commission to be composed of government representatives and Jews to decide upon the distribution of employment in public works.
Another resolution asked that the Sabbath be recognized in government work.
The convention went on record as noticing the favorable change in the attitude of the British government to Palestine since the advent of the new High Commissioner, but expresses regret that he should have seen fit to advocate the formation of a Legislative Council in Palestine “which may create antagonism by Jews to the British government.”
The convention approved a call to world orthodox Jewry to hold a congress in Palestine for the purpose of creating a united orthodox front for the Torah and Palestine. This resolution was adopted following a heated discussion.
The Zionist Executive was scored for its attitude to middle class settlers and gratitude expressed to Heschel Farbstein of Poland for his work in the Executive.
The American Mizrachi organization by decision of the convention will prepare a curriculum to be used in American Yeshivas and Hebrew schools to be patterned after the curriculum in Palestine.
The Canadian Mizrachi organization will combine with the United States body, it was decided.
The convention went on record as favoring the five day week. Members of the Mizrachi were urged to buy Palestine products.
The following officers were elected: Rabbi Meier Berlin of Palestine, honorary president; Rabbi Wolf Gold of New York, president; Rabbi A. M. Ashinsky, Pittsburgh, A. L. Gellman, St. Louis, I. M. Kowalsky, Brooklyn, vice-presidents; Max Nadler, New York, treasurer; Harry Karp, New York, honorary secretary. Rabbi Jacob Levenson of New York was named Chairman of the National Executive Committee.
The convention concluded with a banquet last night attended by five hundred persons. Max M. Yellen presided. Addresses were delivered by Rabbi Berlin, Rabbi Wolf Gold, A. L.
Geelman, Abraham Shapiro, Mrs. Ruth Orenstein, Isaac Manch and Max Fagin.
A message was received from Governor-elect Herbert H. Lehman, regretting his inability to be present owing to the pressure of his duties as Acting Governor.
In a statement to the representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Rabbi Berlin, who is the president of the world Mizrachi movement, expressed gratification with the convention and stated that it had accomplished a great deal. He asserted that the Mizrachi would take action to combat all unreligious elements and activities in Palestine.
Simultaneously with the conventions of the parent organization the Mizrachi Youth and the Women’s Mizrachi organization held their conferences.
Forty delegates from the United States and Canada attended the youth conference.
Plans were formulated for a Midwestern convention to be held in Detroit from December 30 to January 2.
The Mizrachi Women’s convention which opened on Saturday evening was addressed by Rabbi Berlin, Rabbi Gold, Mrs. Ruth Orenstein, president of the local organization. Mrs. B. H. Schnur, Mrs. A. Shapiro, national treasurer.
Greetings were received from Chief Rabbi A. I. Kook of Palestine, the Jewish Agency Executive and from Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, former chairman of the Mizrachi Palestine Fund, who resigned last June.
The work of Rabbi Teitelbaum was lauded and the hope expressed that he would return to a responsible position in Mizrachi work.
Mrs. Adele Goldstein, president of American Women’s Mizrachi organization, presided.
Rabbi Berlin criticized the American organization for not helping to support the two girls high schools operated by the Mizrachi in Palestine.
Rabbi Gold urged the Mizrachi women to become an important factor in the upbuilding of Palestine.
Rabbi Jacob Freedman of Springfield, Massachusetts and Long Beach, California, has been installed as Rabbi of Temple Beth El, Chelsea, Massachusetts.
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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.
