U.S. Jewish Labor Convention Sets $5,000,000 Goal for Histadrut Drive

A $5,000,000 goal for the 1960 Histadrut campaign was adopted here today at the closing session of the 36th annual convention of the National Committee for Labor Israel. Delegates from all parts of the country presented more than $600,000 in cash toward the newly adopted goal.

Rabbi Jacob J. Weinstein of Chicago was elected national chairman of the organization, succeeding Joseph Schlossberg, 85-year-old dean of the American Zionist Labor movement in this country who stood at the helm of the Histadrut campaign for the past 25 years. Mr. Schlossberg was elected to the newly created post of president.

In his acceptance speech, Rabbi Weinstein expressed confidence that “the liberal Jews of America have the will and the intelligence to aid Israel develop along the lines forged out by the present leadership of that young democracy.” Dr. Dov Biegun, who is retiring as national secretary after five years in office, was guest of honor at a convention breakfast.

The convention sessions have been addressed by Israel Ambassador Avraham Harman, Joseph Almogi, member of the Knesset; Isaiah Avrech, former director general of Israel’s Ministry of Education, and other guest speakers from Israel. Louis Stulberg, secretary treasurer of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, announced that in addition to the $1,000,000 already contributed by his organization to build the new Histadrut hospital in Beersheba, the Union would present a $100,000 check within the next few days.

The convention was also addressed by former American Ambassador to Israel, Edward B. Lawson, who said that his four and a half years of service in Israel was a “remarkably satisfying and stimulating experience.” He spoke enthusiastically of the “compelling drive and accomplishment” of the people of Israel. He referred to Histadrut as “one of the most unusual trade unions in the free world.”