Z.O.A. Annual Convention Opens Today; 2,000 Delegates Attending

The 55th annual convention of the Zionist Organization of America will open tomorrow at the Hotel Statler here to discuss and act upon major issues affecting the future course of American Gionism. Some 2,000 delegates, representing more then 800 districts and regions throughout the country, are expected to attend.

The convention’s proceedings will be marked by the first open presidential contest in the Z.O.A. in many years. Three major candidates have been nominated by their respective sponsorship groups: Rabbi Irving Miller of Woodmere, L.I., Abraham A. Redelheim of New York and Ezra Z. Shapiro of Cleveland, Ohio, Another announced candidacy is that of Max Bressler of Chicago who has been endorsed by the Chicago Zionist Organization.

The outcome of the elections will be decided by secret ballot at the election session on Sunday. The incumbent president. Benjamin G. Browdy, is not running for re-election in keeping with the constitutional provision which limit the terms of a Z.O.A. president to two consecutive years.

The business sessions of the convention will be officially opened on Saturday night with the presidential address by Mr. Browdy. Scheduled principal guest speakers are Moshe Sharett, Israel Foreign Minister, Governor Thomas E. Dewey, who will present the greetings of the State of New York, and Mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri who will welcome the delegates on behalf of New York City. At this session, the organizational report for the year will be presented by Dr. Sidney Marks, executive director.

“The Need for Diaspora Zionism” and “The World Zionist Organization and Its Future Role” will be the themes of the second plenary session on Sunday morning with Dr. Nahum Goldmann and Dr. Emanuel Neumann scheduled as principal speakers. This will be followed by a plenary session devoted to “The Jewish National Fund and Its Place in Zionism’s Future” under the chairmanship of Dr. Harris J. Levine.