Over 700 prominent Zionist from New York and other cities throughout the country were present at the dinner given Sunday evening, at the Astor Hotel, by the Lipsky Jubilee committee to celebrate his fiftieth anniversary and thirty years of service in the Zionist movement.
The selected writings of Lipsky consisting of three volumes and including a memoir on thirty years of Zionism in America, published for this occasion, were presented by Dr. Stephen S. Wise to Mr. Lipsky in behalf of the Jubilee Committee.
Isadore D. Morrison, one of the pioneer Zionist workers in America, acted as temporary toastmaster until the arrival of Dr. Wise. Mr. Morrison highly praised Mr. Lipsky for his devotion, zeal and skill displayed in his career in the Zionist movement and his qualities for leadership.
Mr. Morrison, during the course of his remarks, also rebuked severely Deputy Isaac Gruenbaum of Poland who recently visited the United States and published a series of articles in the Jewish press in Poland criticizing the American Jews. Mr. Lipsky is one of the few leaders who had the courage to admit mistakes when such were committed. Mr. Morrison stated.
Glowing tributes were paid to Mr. Lipsky by the speakers who included Miss Henrietta Szold, Rev. Z. H. Masliansky. Mrs. Irma Lindheim, Mrs. Richard Gottheil, Reuben Brainin, Dr. Louis I. Newman of San Francisco, Jacob Fischman of the “Jewish Morning Journal”, Dr. S. Margoshes of the “Day”, Nathan Straus, Abe Goldberg, Joseph Barondess, Morris Rothenberg and Mrs. Archibald Silverman of Providence, R. I.
Mr. Abe Goldberg, in his address, compared Mr. Lipsky to Captain Charles Lindburgh, the lone flyer across the Atlantic. Mr. Lipsky was also a lone man when he undertook thirty years ago to plunge into Zionist work at a time when Zionism was not understood.
Mr. Straus, who was introduced as “our grand old man”, declared: “I object to being called an old man. I always feel young when I am among so many good Zionists. I believe that the people who are not yet in our ranks stay away either out of ignorance or because they are afraid it is an expense.” He then lauded the work of Mr. Lipsky.
Dr. Wise, in his address, referred to the present crisis in Palestine and argued against the defeatist spirit in some Zionist circles. The crisis was caused by the Fourth Allijah, by the middle class Jews who came from Poland to Palestine. The crisis is not of the making of the Zionist Organization, but is the result of the ups and downs of Jewish life. The speaker warned Zionists against yielding to pessimistic views and trying to put the blame on this or that Zionist leader. “I warn you against dissension at the present moment and against making it appear that Palestine is to be handed over into the receivership of those who have stood aloof from the work,” he statted. In praising the leadership of Mr. Lipsky, Dr. Wise pledged his support for unity in Zionist ranks.
Mr. Lipsky, in replying to the addresses, expressed his gratitude for the expressions of appreciation.
Following a few remarks pertaining to the nature of the celebration, Mr. Lipsky spoke of the present conditions in Palestine and the Zionist movement which require new faith and confidence of Zionists. “This faith and this confidence can help us emerge from the present difficulties and pave the way for a renewed effort which will lead to the final success of Palestine,” he stated.
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