Z.O.A. Conference Degides to Launch Private Investment Program

The launching of a private investment program for Israel, highlighting a nationwide census of the trades, businesses and professions of its membership, was unanimously approved today by the Extraordinary Conference of the National Administrative Council of the Zionist Organization of America at the conclusion of its three-day session at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. More than 500 delegates from all parts of the country attended the conference.

This was one of a series of major projects adopted by the parley, comprising a new plan designed to mobilize manpower and resources of the Jewish community in the furtherance of economic aid to Israel, promotion of Hebrew education, increased Z. O. A. participation in raising funds for Israel as well as in the field of youth and chalutziut and the strengthening of membership.

The program of an accelerated private investment activity by the Z. O. A. for Israel followed the announcement by Rabbi Irving Miller, president, of the establishment of an economic committee and department by the Z. O. A. to further this objective. Rabbi Miller revealed that this committee is composed of leaders in industry, law, science and housing.

Stressing the projected inventory among the nationwide Z. O. A. constituency, Rabbi Miller stated that these members are to be organized along trade, industrial and professional lines with a view towards setting up a liaison with corresponding trades, businesses, undertakings and professions in Israel. This will enable the economic committee to ascertain more authoritatively what is needed in Israel in terms of machinery, expansion capital and skilled personnel.

Dr. Sidney Marks, national secretary of the Z. O. A., in behalf of the president and the newly established economic committee, submitted its program.

The committee, he said, will cooperate fully in these economic endeavors with the Economic Division of the Israel Government and the Jewish Agency. It will endeavor to enlist the support of the U.S. Government to aid the building of an effective technology in Israel. It will also strive to create markets in the United States for the sake of Israel exports.

WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEBREW YOUTH MOVEMENT IN U.S.

The Extraordinary Conference approved the establishment of the following additional committees and departments: Hebrew Language and Culture; Israel Projects; Jewish National Fund; Youth and Chalutziut; United Jewish Appeal; Israel Bonds; Education and Program; World Zionist Affairs.

Announcing the program of the newly-created Department for Hebrew Language and Culture, Rabbi Miller stated that its five-point objective will comprise: 1) the Z. O. A. is to assume responsibility for the Hebrew youth movement in this country; 2) the Z. O. A. will undertake the exploration of the availability of Hebrew readers and texts used in Israel for adaptation in Hebrew schools in this country; 3) assembling and dissemination of materials on Hebrew and Zionism in this country for use on the Sunday School level; 4) support in terms of personnel to further the teaching of Hebrew in high schools and colleges; 5) encouragement of use and speaking of Hebrew in districts by programming on an adult level.

Last night Rabbi Miller announced the establishment of a National Commission for Israel and the Middle East. Presenting the program of the Commission, Harold P. Manson, director of the new body, declared that its chief objective is “the reawakening of the public relations consciousness of the Zionist Organization of America and the reactivation of our membership in the area of public opinion. The present state of world tension, “he said,” especially the rising ferment in the Arab world, make it imperative that our organization maintain a high degree of alertness. We submit that this is essential to Israel’s welfare, and that any other course would endanger Israel’s security.”

Z. O. A. COMMISSION NOT COMPETITION TO AMERICAN ZIONIST COUNCIL

Mr. Manson made it clear that in projecting this program, the newly-appointed commission does “not propose to trespass upon or to duplicate the activity of the American Zionist Council.” He pointed to the fact that the “recent Z. O. A. Convention voted full support to the Council and resolved to strengthen it on both the national and local levels.”

At the same time, he pointed out that the Convention also called upon the incoming administration to ensure that the policies of the Z. O. A. are fully and effectively represented by its spokesmen in the Council and its executive committee. “In reiterating this position, we wish to record our appreciation of the work and accomplishments of the Council under the chairmanship of Mr. Louis Lipsky. It is our intention to provide nationwide auxiliary machinery with which the Council’s work can be made more effective”, he said.

Abraham Goodman, chairman of the Z. O. A. Inner Committee, presiding at a luncheon session today, voiced confidence that all regional and district works throughout the country will respond wholeheartedly to make possible for the organization financially to carry out its program, which he declared is so imperative for the welfare of Israel and for the future of the Zionist movement in this country.