A program planned by the Zionist Organization of America at its seminar at the United Nations yesterday could not be carried out because of restrictions imposed by UN officials, it was reported here today. The officials emphasized that the restrictions were imposed as a result of the UN policy not to subject the international organization to religious ceremonies.
As a result, the chanting of the ancient Hebrew liturgy, El Mole Rachamim, in memory of the late UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold did not take place. Photographs were barred and a memorial scroll scheduled for presentation to the secretariat in tribute to Hammarskjold remained in the ZOA office. No member of the UN secretariat was present to receive it and none attended any part of the ceremony, in which a minute of silence was substituted for the liturgy.
About 800 top ZOA leaders from all parts of the United States came to the UN Conference Room 1 for the ceremony. Among those listed as speakers were Ambassador Adlai Stevenson and ZOA president Max Bressler. The Ambassador did not show up and Mr. Bressler did not speak. The change in the memorial prayer was made at the request of retiring UN Undersecretary Andrew W. Cordier, who said that it was the custom at the UN to observe a moment of silence and not to engage in sectarian prayer.
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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.
