Period of Transition and Preparation Nears Close Zionist Executive Finds

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Belief that the resolutions adopted by the Zionist General Council with regard to the report of the Joint Palestine Survey Commission will serve to strengthen the desire of all Jews to cooperate with the Zionist Organization in the upbuilding of Palestine was expressed in a call issued by the Zionist Executive to Zionist federations and constituencies.

Declaring that the period of transition and preparation, prior to the forming of the Jewish Agency, inaugurated at the Fifteenth Zionist Congress, is nearing its close, the Zionist Executive in its appeal urges Zionists throughout the world to maintain a united front, to increase the organization and fund raising activities. “The Zionist Organization throughout the world must remain the recognized representative of all those who are Zionist at heart, without yet having entered its ranks. As the central force and driving power of the Palestine movement, the Zionist Organization will have to continue to give impetus and to shape all that is done in and for Palestine,” declares the call, which is signed by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, Dr. S. Brodetsky, F. Rosenblueth, N. Sokolow. F. H. Kisch, H. Sacher, L. Lipsky and H. Szold.

“The policy of transition and preparation approved by the 15th Congress is justified by its aim, i.e., a renewed Haluziuth and constructive work all along the line. This purpose, we confidently trust, will become increasingly evident in due course,” the call declares. “But to attain the object in view more exertion is essential to secure the means for greater productive expenditure. The total of our two main Funds in the current years, the Keren Hayesod and the Keren Kayemeth, while bearing eloquent witness to the financial strength of our movement, and to the possibilities than can be obtained through concentrated endeavor, fall short, however, of the necessities. We urge, therefore, every Zionist body and individual to demonstrate through their endeavor, the determination to make the new year a turning point in the national enterprise. Taking note of the emphatic declaration by the General Zionist Council as to the preeminence of the two Funds, we appeal for greater self-sacrifice on the part of every Jew and to contribute to that which, it should be realized, aims at the liberation and renaissance of the Jewish nationhood.

“The preliminaries of establishing permanent co-operation with non-Zionist groups for the upbuilding of Palestine are, it is hoped, to be completed in the course of the coming years. The reasons for the extension of the Jeish Agency, and its necessity have but gained in weight, and is better understood since the idea was first propounded. It is, indeed, the chief achievement of the Berlin meeting that it united the General Council in the firm determination to continue along hese lines. Our objective is to strengthen our political basis through the establishment of a great united Jewish Palestine front: to disseminate the Palestine Ideal among all sections of our people and to the acceleration of the reconstruction of a Jewish Palestine. Backed by an overwhelming Zionist majority, the Executive will pursue this goal with determination, in accordance with the policy of the superme Zionist institutions.

“The meeting of the Joint Palestine Survey Commission and the report of their investigations have brought about a closer understanding with those Jews who are interested in the work in Palestine. Viewed impartially the historical value of the Commission’s report is seen in the unreserved acceptance of the Palestine achievement.Which criticism of details only serves to emphasize. The General Council duly recognized this significance of the report. It expresses ‘its cordial thanks to the members of the Joint Palestine Survey Commission for the valuable work that they have rendered, and welcomes the wish expressed in the report for the co-operation of all circles of the Jewish people in the upbuilding of the Jewish National Home in Palestine.’The General Council again laid stress on the fundamental principles of Zionist work in Palestine and their importance in cooperation with other groups, and declared in a decisive manner that steps for the extension of the Jewish Agency shall be taken forthwith.We confidently hope that the resolutions of the General Council will serve to strengthen the desire of all Jews to cooperate with us. We also hope and expect that until the extension of the Agency becomes a fact the appeal of the Joint Palestine Survey Commission that ‘Every effort must be made to strengthen the position of the existing Zionist funds, Keren Hayesod and Keren Kayemeth, during the period of transition, so that the constructive activities and consolidation work should not suffer,’ will find an echo in non-Zionist as well as in Zionist circles.

“We enter upon the new year in the consciousness of moving onwards in the realization of our aims.”

BROOKLYN RABBIS FORM ASSOCIATION

The Brooklyn Rabbinical Association, an organization of rabbis representing temples, synagogues and Jewish centers in Brooklyn, was formed at a meeting called at the initiative of Federal Judge Grover M. Moscowitz and Nathan D. Schapiro, Chairman of the Religious Organizations’ Committee for the Brooklyn Federation of Jewish Charities which is now planning its twentieth anniversary appeal for $1,035,000. The association has a membership of thirty-five.

Rabbi Israel Levinthal has been elected temporary chairman of the association and Rabbi A. M. Heller of the Flatbush Jewish Center will be the secretary.

A resolution adapted at the initial meeting of the association calls upon the Brooklyn Jews to support the Federation in its appeal.

A city-wide survey to secure the necessary information for the establishment of the proposed Buffalo Bureau of Jewish Education will be launched during the High Holy days. The purpose of the survey is to secure definite data concerning the educational states of the Jewish youth and to provide means for educating those who at present are not receiving any. Upon the completion of the survey, the data will be compiled and turned over to the Bureau of Jewish Education, which will then determine ways and means of providing every Jewish child of school age with a Jewish religious and cultural education.

Sol J. Levy is executive director of the survey.