Rothenberg to Resign Zionist Post for Personal Affairs

Morris Rothenberg, vice-president of the Zionist Organization of America, one of the national co-chairmen of the Allied Jewish Campaign and a factor in the consummation of the enlarged Jewish Agency, will not accept any post in the coming Zionist administration and will carry out his intention of resigning in order to devote himself to his personal affairs. This was made known in a letter sent by Mr. Rothenberg to Louis Lipsky, president of the Zionist Organization.

The text of Mr. Rothenberg’s letter follows:

Dear Mr. Lipsky:

You will no doubt recall that last summer in Zurich I told you that my personal interests required that I reduce the large demands made upon my time by Zionist and other Jewish activities in which I have been engaged as a volunteer worker during many years, and since my labors in connection with the formation of the enlarged Jewish Agency, a subject in which I was deeply interested, had come to a close, it was my intention to withdraw from the Administrative Committee of the Zionist Organization of America, upon my return to the United States.

The many serious problems, however, which confronted the Zionist Organization following the tragic events in Palestine of last August, the organization of the Allied Jewish Campaign and the responsibilities which were placed upon me in connection therewith, the liquidation of the affairs of the United Palestine Appeal, the added responsibilities which fell to me as a result of your several visits to Europe since our return from the Congress, all made it necessary for the time being to postpone my decision to resign.

In view of the approaching Convention, I feel it proper that you should know, that regardless of the outcome of the efforts initiated by the Administrative Committee of the Z. O. A. to bring about a united front in American Zionism, efforts which I earnestly trust may prove successful, I shall not enter any administration of the Z. O. A. for the coming year.

Morris Rothenberg.