The vital role played by women throughout Jewish history and their aid in the establishment of the Jewish state was warmly praised here last night at the opening session of the 12th annual world conference of the Women’s International Zionist Organization. More than 500 delegates representing 150,000 members in 51 countries are attending the gathering.
Premier David Ben Gurion, speaking at the opening session, told the delegates that “one of our people’s greatest sources of strength was always the Jewish mother who preserved the Jewish tradition and saved her family from assimilation.” He emphasized that without the help of women, Israel could not develop and defend the country.
An appeal to the delegates to encourage the emigration to Israel of “a stream of young people from those countries where Jews do not have to leave” was voiced by Berl Locker, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive. The session was also addressed by Joseph Sprinzak, Speaker of the Israel Parliament, Mayor Z. Shragai of Jerusalem and Dr. A. Granott, head of the Jewish National Fund.
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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.