Margolies, president; Mr. S. Bloomberg, vice-president; Miss Rose Weinstein, recording secretary; Mr. R. Silverman, corresponding secretary; Miss Dora Lurie, financial secretary; and Mr. J. Polansky, treasurer.
As for the individual societies, we have 11 organizations, every one of which has its own field of work and characteristics. These are, namely:
1. The Hebrew National Association, with a membership of 100; young men of all classes of society. This society maintains a hall, 170 Hanover St., the headquarters of the Zionists, and a Hebrew library which is open to the public. Besides, it does some intellectual work by means of bi-weekly lectures on Jewish topics and public entertainments.
2. Dorshe Zion No. 1, with a membership of 600, elderly people, who, as is usually the case, are somewhat lax in business methods, but whose interest in the work is gradually increasing.
3. Dorshe Zion No. 3, in the South End, with a membership of 100; similar to No. 1.
4. Dorshath Zion of Boston, with a membership of 150, elderly ladies. It has just organized a Sabbath school for girls.
5. Dorshath Zion of Chelsea, with a membership of 75, young and elderly ladies, maintains a Sabbath school for girls.
6. Daughters of Zion, with a membership of 75, young ladies, who are very active for the cause.
7. Sons of Zion, with a membership of 75,high-school students. Established recently andvery promising.
7. Dorshe Zion Anshe Sphard, with a membership of 75, recently organized. It is practically the whole Chassidic Congregation, ‘“Anshe Sephard.’’
9. Hussars of Boston Zionists, with a membership of 125. A military organization which has adopted the Zionist platform.
10. Knights of Maccabees, recently organized, with a membership of 50 business men.
II. Sons and Daughters of Zion, with a membership of 200, high-school and college students. This society contains the best element of our Jewish young people in Boston. It does excellent intellectual work by means of lectures on Jewish history and other Jewish topics and occasional public entertainments.
This is the history and the present condition of Zionism in Boston. Unity and concerted action have gained sympathy and respect for Zionism. Its undertakings are usually successful, its public meetings are well attended, and its affairs well patronized. In general, in Boston Zionism fills the air; not only has it become an important factor among the Russian Jews, but it is gradually penetrating unto all classes. Moreover, we find already that whole congregations join the Zionist ranks.
W.
The Mystery of our Mission
AMONGST the opponents of Zionism no argument is more often resorted to than the assertion that its idea of the rebuilding of a Hebrew State on its native soil is contrary to the mission for which the Jews have been preserved and scattered amongst the nations of the Earth. Why this conclusion should be affirmed in such positive tones, is not easy to see. The non-sequitur argument has ground enough on which to base its denial. Nay, one might maintain with better reason that if Judaism demonstrates its vitality by the resuscitation of the ancient commonwealth this would add new and impressive weight to the proclamation of any truth it may have to make to mankind.
It would be a testimony which none but the
wilfully blind and deaf could gainsay. It has never been proposed to withdraw all the Jews from their present habitations; enough of their number would remain everywhere to continue their testimony, but with this vital difference, that there would be a place on earth where the ancient faith could develop itself according to its own law of growth and in conformity with the people's own needs. At present Judaism is surrounded by obstructions on all sides. The great majority of Jews live under conditions in which they are daily confronted with the question : whether they should adhere to the old paths as they have been laid out for them or turn aside altogether and surrender to the dominant faith. Such a dilemma is in no wise favorable to foster