Pioneer Women, the Women’s Later Zionist Organization of America, has contributed more than $2,000,000 in the past two years toward programs for working women in Israel, Mrs. Sidney A. Leff, president of the organization, reported here today to the 17th biennial convention of the women’s group. Mrs. Leff also told the more than 600 delegates that over 1,000 members of Pioneer Women had visited Israel “in a friendly invasion” during the past two years.
A message from President Kennedy was read to the convention by Mrs. Arthur J. Goldberg, wife of the Secretary of Labor. Mrs. Goldberg, herself a long-time member of Pioneer Women, told the delegates that “in a very real sense the Pioneer Woman are one of the forerunners of the Peace Corps.” President Kennedy, lauding the organization for its aid to Israel, said:
“The assistance generously given by American non-governmental organizations to the peoples of other countries in their efforts to develop a more satisfying life for themselves is invaluable support to our Government’s foreign policy objectives. The contributions of your organization to this important work are welcomed and appreciated. Your members have my good wishes for continued success.”
Israel Ambassador Avraham Harman told the convention that “despite the hostility which has marked the attitude of our neighbors, we in Israel have kept our minds and hearts wide open for peace. We are not anti-Arab. We recognize the Arab states as legitimate and permanent facts in the Middle East. As soon as they extend the same recognition to Israel, the way to peace will be open,” the Ambassador stated.
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.
