New York City Launches Zionist Membership Drive

The 1930 membership campaign of the New York Zionist Region, which aims to double the enrollment of the Zionist Organization of America in the greater city by the time of the annual Zionist convention in June, was launched informally with a luncheon tendered to a group of prominent rabbis by Judge Bernard A. Rosenblatt, president of the Region.

The object of the luncheon was to map out a plan of wider co-operation between the rabbis who have Zionist interests and the regular workers for the Zionist Organization. In his address at the meeting, Judge Rosenblatt pointed out that rabbis in Greater New York have not played the part in the development of the Zionist movement which they should and which their position entitles them to. He admitted that part of the blame rested with the Zionist workers who did not sufficiently emphasize the importance of the rabbis’ participation in the work.

In presenting the plan for membership that had been drawn up by the Executive Committee of the Region, Morris Margulies, secretary, stated that a number of trips to Palestine are being offered to those districts within the Greater New York area which will double their membership by the time of the Zionist convention. Those districts which now have more than 150 members, and who will succeed in doubling that number by June, will be awarded a trip to the Jewish Homeland by the Region. Those districts which now have less than 150 members and who will double their present enrollment, will win a free trip to the next Zionist convention, wherever it may be held.

The actual campaign for members will be inaugurated on Tuesday, April 15. For the first time in the history of such Zionist activities there will be so-called “flying squads” composed of rabbis and lay leaders, who will speak in different districts for the purpose of stimulating membership in the organization.