The only force in Jewish life today that can attack the tide of assimilation and preserve Jewishness is the Zionist movement, Moshe Sharett, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, told an overflow audience Tuesday evening at Temple Emanuel here. Hundreds of persons seeking admission were turned away.
“Perpetuation of Jewishness is not guaranteed,” he said. “Israel alone cannot save the situation, nor can it be relied upon to radiate sufficient stimulation that would automatically preserve a meaningful Jewish existence in lands of the dispersion.”
Mr. Sharett was sharply critical of those who express genuine admiration and concern for Israel but adopt a negative attitude toward Zionism. He maintained this was a contradiction in terms. He said “non-Zionists must answer why they turn their backs on history.”
Mr. Sharett called for a greater unity and purposefulness among Zionists to assure the future of Jewish life. The meeting was sponsored by the American Zionist Council. Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, chairman of the Los Angeles Zionist Council, presided.
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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.
