A call to American Jewry to strengthen Jewish cultural activities in the United States in both the Yiddish and Hebrew languages was sounded here last night by Berl Locker, former co-chairman of the Jewish Agency executive in Jerusalem, and Eliahu Dobkin, member of the Agency executive, addressing the 30th national convention of the Labor Zionist Organization here.
The convention adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a Zionist Federation in the U. S. in accordance with the decision of the 24th World Zionist Congress. This federation should be based on democratic principles making possible the affiliation of all groups and individuals who are ready to subscribe to its program and giving to each individual Zionist the opportunity to participate in elections for the representative and governing bodies of the federation.
The two Israeli labor leaders stressed that without Jewish education and Jewish cultural activities American Jewry is in danger of assimilation. Mr. Locker called upon the American Labor Zionist movement to align itself with all the democratic groups in the country. Mr. Dobkin urged increased Jewish emigration from the United States to Israel.
Other Israeli speakers urged American Jewish youth to participate actively in Jewish life in this country. They suggested that American Jewish youths should go to Israel for a period of time in order to become familiar with the spirit of Israel.
Louis Segal, leader of the American Labor Zionist movement and member of the Jewish Agency executive, addressing the delegates, stressed the changes that have taken place in Zionism following the establishment of the Jewish State. He pointed out that all Jews are today pro-Israel, and called upon all elements in American Jewry to come to Israel’s aid. At the same time, he urged the American Labor Zionist movement not to neglect its work of helping strengthen the development of Jewish life in the United States.
A declaration of principles adopted at the parley reemphasized the Labor Zionist and Social Democratic character of the organization, its objectives of fostering a cooperative society in Israel based on the principles of social justice, immigration from America to Israel, Jewish education in America and the democratic organization of Jewish communal life in this country. The convention elected as chairman of the national council Herman Seidel of Baltimore and as chairman of the central committee Pinchas Cruso of New York.
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.
