What Bulletin Readers Say

To the Editor, Jewish Daily Bulletin:

I read your column in last week’s Bulletin, “Herzl’s Anniversary Ignored”, and was glad of your courage to come out openly and tell the truth in this matter.

It is a fact that those politicians in the Zionist movement who by opportunity and nerve become so-called leaders in Zionism and get a hold of the machine, tried to oppress and degrade the other ones who sacrificed their lives and great careers for the sake of the Zionist ideals but had other opinions than those in power.

So did they do to Dr. Nordau in the last years of his life and to others.

Now, they have other victims whom they plainly persecute without a stop, because they dare to disagree with their tactics and acts in giving over the whole movement with its institutions in the hands of one party to mold it according to their design and desire.

1972 Walton Ave. I. Rosen

The Bronx.

THE HERZL COLUMN ATTACKED

To the Editor, Jewish Daily Bulletin:

The other day Mr. B. Smolar devoted his column, “Between the Lines”, to an article entitled “Herzl’s Anniversary Ignored”. The facts in the case are:

1. As far back as April 2, in pursuance of the decision of the Zionist Organization of America, all districts were directed to arrange for special meetings in celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the birth of Dr. Theodor Herzl. In that circular letter it was explained that it was felt in recent years that Zionists had failed to observe appropriately Herzl’s “Yahrzeit”, which occurs in July, due to the hot weather when meetings cannot conveniently be held. Chiefly for this reason, it was decided this year to inaugurate the celebration of Herzl’s birthday so that Zionists throughout the country may, by numerous meetings held simultaneously, pay an impressive tribute to the memory and achievements of the founder of the Zionist Movement.

Prior to the issuance of the circular, the writer had arranged with the officers of Hadassah that all of its chapters cooperate in these celebrations, and instructions to that effect were sent out by Hadassah to all of its chapters. The districts therefore, were urged to communicate with the local chapters and wherever possible arrange the Herzl meetings in cooperation with the chapters.

Furthermore, some of the outstanding rabbis of the country, by arrangement, had consented to dedicate their services to Herzl’s birthday anniversary and to devote sermons to an evaluation of our immortal leader. The rabbis include such prominent figures as Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Rabbi I. H. Levinthal, Rabbi Edward Israel, Rabbi Solomon Goldman, Rabbi Barnett Brickner, Rabbi James G. Heller, and many others.

Moreover, in order to help the districts arrange proper programs for the Herzl celebrations, material was forwarded to them and a complete program for the meeting outlined. The material included a specially composed poem by Philip M. Raskin. Judging by reports already received in this office, close to one hundred meetings have been arranged, or are in the process of being arranged, including a number of radio broadcasts.

2. Upon our initiative, many of the Jewish newspapers, including the Jewish Daily Bulletin, carried articles and comment in connection with Dr. Herzl’s seventy-fifth annivery.

3. Insofar as it is known, America was the only country that took cognizance of Dr. Herzl’s seventy-fifth birthday and the Zionist Organization of America was the only organization that brought this fact to the attention of the Jewish public and is responsible for the celebrations held throughout the land.

Morris Margulies.

Secretary, Zionist Organization of America.

MR. SMOLAR’S REPLY

If Mr. Margulies’ conception of celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the birth of Dr. Theodor Herzl is to limit this celebration to directing the Zionist districts “to arrange special meetings”, then I have nothing to say but to repeat my assertion that Herzl’s anniversary has not been properly observed and, in fact, has been ignored.