Z.O.A. Parley Ends in Harmony; Stand on Partition Reiterated

The 41st annual convention of the Zionist Organization of America closed on a note of harmony last night after the more than 500 delegates from 40 states had elected an administration for the coming year and adopted a series of resolutions aimed at strengthening world Zionism and Zionism in America.

The convention declared the readiness of the Z.O.A. to consider “without prejudice” the British Government’s proposal for establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine, but reiterated the stand taken by last year’s World Zionist Congress rejecting the partition plan recommended by the Peel Royal Commission.

Other resolutions were adopted as follows:

1– Pledging full support to Dr. Chaim Weizmann and the World Zionist Executive in resisting infringement of Jewish rights in Palestine;

2– Condemning persecutions in Germany and Austria, and reiterating the Z.O.A.’s previous stand taken against the outrages through its association with the American Jewish Congress;

3– Urging communities throughout the country to subordinate all efforts to Palestine fund-raising and to give the United Palestine Appeal the widest possible support;

4– Deciding to establish a special coordinating committee to bring greater unity in the fund-raising drives for Palestine;

5– Supporting establishment of a special Golden Book volume of the Jewish National Fund in honor of President Roosevelt, which was launched with subscriptions of 150 Zionist leaders, headed by Dr. and Mrs. Stephen s. Wise;

6– Calling on all affiliated Zionist groups to continue to support the Jewish National Fund through all established and traditional means;

7– Urging American Jewry to participate in the establishment of the Palestine Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair and deciding to accept the invitation of Grover Whalen, president of the Fair, to hold next year’s convention in New York in view of the fact that the pavilion will be one of the outstanding features of the Fair;

8– Paying tribute to Zionist leaders — Dr. Wise, for 40 years of service to the Zionist cause; Dr. Israel Goldstein, for his efforts for the J.N.F., and Dr. Abba Hillel Silver for “signal service” as national chairman of the U.P.A.

Rivalry for the presidency was put behind as Dr. Goldstein, the defeated candidate, pledged wholehearted support to the incoming administration. Inducted into office by Dr. Wise, retiring president, Dr. Solomon Goldman, new president, declared that Palestine was the most vital force in the rehabilitation of oppressed Jewries. He said Zionism was not only a political movement, but also a spiritual force, “for the reason that the life of man, directed toward great aims, toward the creation of values, is something spiritual.”

The new administration comprises: vice-presidents, Dr. Wise, Judge Julian Mack, Louis Lipsky, Robert Szold, Judge Morris Rothenberg and Dr. Harry Friedenwald of Baltimore. Judge William Lewis of Philadelphia was elected chairman of the administrative committee; Morris Margulies was recommended for a seventh term as secretary, Ludwig Lewisohn named honorary secretary, and morris Weinberg, treasurer.

The new executive committee consists of David Bernstein, St. Louis; Rabbi Barnett R. Brickner, Cleveland; Charles Gowen, New York; Judge Ellenbogen, Pittsburgh; Judge Fisher, Chicago; Harry Friedberg, Kansas City; A.P. Friedland, Cleveland; Abraham Goldberg, Dr. Goldstein, Meyer Levy, Rabbi Miller and Carl Sherman, all of New York; Rabbi James G. Heller, Cincinnati; Rabbi Edward Israel, Baltimore; Rabbi Israel Levinthal, New York; Colonel Rosenberg, Chicago; Rabbi Silver, Cleveland; William Siegel, New York, and Elihu D. Stone, Boston.

The convention adopted a budget for the coming year of $158,000 After Professor Julius Klausner of St. Louis had presented the financial report.