President Kennedy today sent greetings to the triennial national assembly of the Jewish National Fund of America which is concluding its three day session here tonight. More than 500 delegates, representing JNF branches throughout the country, are participating in the assembly which is meeting in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Jewish National Fund.
President Kennedy said in his message of greeting that the JNF represents one of Zionism’s most constructive achievements in human welfare and social development. “You have made it possible for many Americans to join in an important and lasting cooperative enterprise of freedom, ” he added. “I hope that your meetings in Washington have been successful in projecting new opportunities and programs for the future. “
Senator Kenneth B, Keating, New York Republican, in addressing the assembly, urged Administration efforts toward Arab-Israel peace and called on Israel to establish “a whole string of freedom forests in Africa “as Israel’s unique contribution to world peace and progress. “
WORLD CHAIRMAN OF J. N. F. UNVEILS IMPOSING 20-YEAR PLAN
A 20-year plan for the last phase of what he termed “Israel’s war against the desert, ” involving development of the Negev and other areas, was unveiled at the assembly by Yaacov Tsur, world chairman of the Jewish National Fund in Jerusalem and former Israel Ambassador to France and Argentina. Mr. Tsur called for “doubling Israel’s territory within her present borders. “
His plan involved reclamation of 625 million acres in the Negev, Galilee, and Judea; the planting of 250 million trees; and settlement of 100, 000 families. The cost of the plan was estimated at 500, 000, 000 Israel pounds or $250, 000, 000. American Jews were urged by Mr. Tsur to contribute their share toward the total required for implementation. He said it would double present useful territory within present boundaries “without resorting to war. “
Mr. Tsur pointed out that 60 percent of Israeli territory remains wasteland and must be developed. He speculated that “perhaps we shall one day deserve the compliments paid the Dutch who drained off the sea to win more land for fertile fields. ” He hoped it would be said that “God created the world and the Jews made Israel. ” He pointed out that last December the Israel Parliament designated the JNF as sole accredited agency for soil; amelioration, land development and afforestation for the entire State of Israel. “
The JNF world chairman called on American Jewish youth to come to Israel to contribute their skills toward conquest of the desert.
ASSEMBLY PLEDGES $5, 000, 000 ANNUALLY FOR NEW J. N.F. PROJECT
Today the assembly adopted the Tsur Plan and pledged $5, 000, 000 and more annually for 20 years toward the world goal of $250 million. In appealing for American Jewish support, Mr. Tsur said it was “clear that the two million Jews already in Israel cannot alone, as citizens bear the heavy obligations for the defense and welfare of the State, and, in addition, do what not even the richest state can do. namely, reclaim vast areas in a poverty stricken country for settlement and to meet the needs of a growing population.
“The annual budget of the Government of Israel now exceeds a billion dollars, and the contribution of diaspora Jewry, with all due respect to its unfailing and devoted help, represents but a fraction of the sacrifice made by the Israelis. ” he pointed out.
The assembly adopted a resolution “to mobilize in the United States through the Foundation for the JNF and its traditional collections, the sum of $5,000, 000 in the next 12 months.”
Another resolution honored Dr. Harris J. Levine upon completion of his 10th consecutive term as president of the JNF of America, and his election to the honorary presidency of the JNF. ” The assembly’s closing dinner was dedicated as a tribute to Dr. Levine.
Resolutions were adopted honoring and saluting the effective work of Mendel N. Fisher, executive director of the JNF of America; President Albert Schiff and his administration; and Yaacov Tsur, chairman of the board of the JNF in Jerusalem, president of the Zionist Council, and former Israeli diplomat.
Other resolutions called for increased volume of bequests and insurance with the JNF as beneficiary, continuation of traditional collections, doubling of blue-white boxes in Jewish homes, increase of inscriptions and other new efforts. Stress was placed on the work among youth and in the field of education to strengthen ties of world Jewish youth with Israel.
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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.
