Severing all connection with the Mizrachi Organization of America, the Mizrachi Youth Organization yesterday changed its name to Hapoel Hamizrachi of America, Inc., and announced its support of the “Torah vavodah” movement, which calls for the upbuilding of Pa###tine on the basis of social justice as expressed in the Bible.
The action was taken by 250 delegates to the thirteenth annual convention of the organization at Yeshivah College, 186th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. The fact that the Mizrachi Youth is the American representative of the Palestine Hapoel Hamizrachi and the belief that all its energies must be concentrated on Hapoel’s “Torah vavodah” movement were given as the reason for the split.
The resolution for the cleavage was adopted after a morning of heated debate. It was pointed out that authorization for setting up an autonomous organization was given at the 1925 Antwerp world Mizrachi conference.
SILBER BACKS PROGRAM
Support of the program was urged at a banquet last night by Rabbi Saul Silber, president of the Chicago Theological College, who criticized the present Zionist Executive. Rabbi Silber declared that the Executive deserves {SPAN}lit###{/SPAN} responsibility for the economic prosperity of Palestine and is chiefly responsible for the lack of “constructive accomplishment” along political and immigration lines.
If Palestine merely offers a sound economic structure, it is no different from the United States twenty-five years ago, Rabbi Silber asserted. What Mizrachi wants, he said, is that Jewish life in Palestine be established at “its former glory.”
Other speakers at the dinner were Leon Gelman, editor of the St. Louis Jewish Record, and Isidore Epstein, president of the organization.
In his presidential address at the opening of the convention, Mr. Epstein declared, “If the present party in control of the Zionist movement places the interest of Zionism higher than its party interests, it must provide the possibility for every faction within Zionism to be represented in the Zionist World Executive and there by save Zionism from further splits and ultimate destruction.”
Rabbi Seymour M. Zambrowsky executive director, asserted that this year’s convention will mark a# important epoch in the history o# the Mizrachi youth movement. Rabbi Israel Goldstein, president o# the Jewish National Fund, commended the organization for its cooperation with the J.N.F.
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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.
