Rabbi Sternstein, New ZOA President Stresses Zionist Education for U.S. Jewish Youth

Rabbi Joseph P. Sternstein of Roslyn Heights, N.Y., who was elected last night as president of the Zionist Organization of America, said he would concentrate his efforts in the coming months on interpreting Israel’s position to Americans in connection with the Geneva peace conference between Israel and the Arab states. He also laid great stress on the development of a broad scale Zionist educational program among young American Jews, particularly those in the 25-40 age group, and the upper high school and college levels through Masada, the ZOA youth movement of which Rabbi Sternstein was himself president 30 years ago.

The new ZOA president, at 49, one of the youngest ever elected to that office, is rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn Heights, L.I. He has previously served as chairman of the ZOA’s national executive committee and of its public affairs committee. He succeeded Herman L, Weisman as ZOA president.

Rabbi Sternstein was born in New York and was educated at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and St. John’s University Law School. He holds doctorates from both institutions. He is a member of the executive of the World Union of General Zionists, the World Zionist Actions Committee and of national executives of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the American Zionist Youth Foundation. He is married and has four children.

It was announced earlier at the ZOA convention which ended last night that James Ross, of Youngstown, Ohio had contributed $100,000 for the James Ross Auditorium located on the second floor of the newly inaugurated ZOA House in midtown Manhattan.