U.S. Minister Lauds Election of Rothenberg

Praise for the action of American Zionists in electing Morris Rothenberg as their President at their recent annual convention is contained in a message sent from the American legation at Tirana by Herman Bernstein, United States Minister to Albania, and a leading figure in the American Zionist movement before his assumption of diplomatic office.

Mr. Bernstein’s statement, voicing satisfaction with Mr. Rothenberg for his command of “the necessary qualities at this difficult juncture,” expresses optimism with regard to the upbuilding of the Jewish National Home despite “universal pessimism” and emphasizes that success for the Jewish people is dependent on “hard work and peaceful endeavors.”

The letter from the United States Minister is addressed to Mr. Rothenberg and reads as follows:

“I congratulate you heartily on your election to the Presidency of the Zionist Organization of America. The opportunity for still greater service to the cause of Jewish idealism is now yours. In these days of universal pessimism, of moral and spiritual as well as economic ebb, it is well to remember that, despite the hearbreaking hardships of recent years, the Hatikvah is sure to be fulfilled if the Jewish people intensifies its efforts to redeem Zion through hard work and peaceful endeavors.

“Now more than ever, the upbuilding of Palestine requires increased enthusiasm and service. The rebuilders of Zion in Palestine should be helped and encouraged to maintain and strengthen the position of the constructive undertakings of Eretz Isretz. To link Israel’s historic past with the hope, achievements and future of the Holy Land, this generation of Jewry must ‘act in the living present,’ with the vision and courage of practical idealism. American Zionists are to be congratulated on having chosen you as the leader at this difficult juncture, for you combine the necessary qualities with a talent to avoid extremism.”