Lipsky Called ‘symbol of Zionist Continuity’; is Lauded by Ben-gurion

Louis Lipsky, veteran Zionist leader, was today honored by top leaders of the American Zionist movement at a luncheon marking his 85th birthday. He was the recipient of numerous messages of good wishes from leading Jewish personalities, including Israel President Izhak Ben-Zvi and Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, who tendered the luncheon in honor of Mr. Lipsky, emphasized the important role which he played in building up the Zionist movement in the United States. He called him a “symbol of Zionist continuity” and stressed the fact that Mr. Lipsky is as deeply interested in Zionist affairs after the establishment of the State of Israel as he was before the state was established.

Ambassador Michael Comay, head of the Israel delegation to the United Nations, greeted Mr. Lipsky on behalf of the Israel Government and the people of Israel. Premier Ben-Gurion, in his cabled message of greetings, lauded Mr. Lipsky’s devotion to the Zionist cause and the effective role he played in keeping American Jewry alert to the fight for the establishment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine before the creation of Israel.

Mr. Lipsky, replying to the tributes, declared: “I started in the Zionist movement with its beginnings in the United States and I thought I had ended, when announcement came of the creation of the Jewish State. Since then, I have hovered on the outskirts of affairs, enjoying the comings and goings of those who are observing the splendor of its growth. I never believed in fighting to the bitter end because the end of every fight is bitter. This luncheon table is an animated picture of the value of this belief.”

Premier Ben-Gurion declared in his message: “Your vigor and freshness of soul at 85 is somehow symbolic of the vitality of our people. The richness of your distinguished life as a leading write, thinker and orator, has had a powerful impact on the form and pattern of the largest center of Jewry in the world today, which has been one of the prime builders of the Yishuv and the State. May you be blessed with many more years of illustrious and fruitful service.”