Goldmann Outlines Major Jewish Problems at Mizrachi Women’s Convention

Major problems faced by world Jewry were outlined here today by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, at the convention of the Mizrachi Women’s Organization now being held here. The convention tonight adopted a budget of $1,285,000 to maintain and expand its activities in Israel.

“There are four great problems today facing the Jewish people,” Dr. Goldman said. “One is the security of Israel which will still take many years and tremendous efforts by the Jewish people and by all non-Jewish friends of Israel, not to speak of Israel itself. The second problem is of 3,000,000 Jews in the Soviet Union who are not threatened by regular anti-Semitism, but are as a community condemned to a process of slow disintegration.

“The other two problems are more susceptible to action by organizations like yours. The first concerns the tie-up of Jewish life and Jewish individuals and groups with Israel. If one thinks that by campaigns and by mobilizing Jewish financial, and sometimes political help for Israel one solves the problem, one is greatly mistaken.

“The final problem intimately tied up with relationships with Israel is how to secure Jewish ness and Jewish consciousness in the Diaspora, especially of the younger generation. Jews have learned how to remain Jews in bad times. What we have not yet learned is how to remain Jews in good times. To secure the younger generation, Israel must play a central role in education and attitude. The centrality of Israel is the real test of Zionism in our day,” Dr. Goldmann stressed.

Nearly half of the $1,285,000 budget, which was approved at the Mizrachi Women’s convention, is allocated for maintenance and expansion of children’s villages and youth centers caring for youngsters brought to Israel under the supervision of the Youth Aliyah.

Among the projects incorporated into the budget is a pilot teacher-training seminary for agricultural instructors at the Mosad Aliyah children’s village in Petach Tikvah. The first seminary of its kind in Israel for religious youth, it will prepare young men and women for service as teachers of agriculture in border settlements.