The Society Hatechiya of New York
The energetic Zionist society known as the Hathechiya will celebrate its fourth anniversary on January 18
nun Zn Bub Fe The activities of this young organization have been remarkable when its modest means are taken into account. The society was organized by seven Russian young men and one lady, immediately upon their arrıval in New York. It was first named “The Russian Zion Society.” The first members were radical, in the sense that they represented the democratic and proletarian intersts of Zionists, without being afhlliated with the Poale Zion party. As a consequence, all new members, no matter what their opinion, were at once dubbed radical. In the first two years of the existence of the Hathechiya, it suffered much owing to the struggles between the radical Zionists and the Poale Zion, on the one hand, and owing to dissensions caused by the Uganda question, on the other. These troubles almost brought about the collapse of the society. Meeting after meeting was held, where these fundamental questions were taken up and discussed, but soon, as a result of these discussions, the difhculties were overcome, and the organization emerged stronger than ever. In the meantime, its members were becoming better acquainted with American Jewish conditions, and it altered its name to Hathechiya. In the first few years of its existence, the society published three Yıddish pamphlets, all written by members. It has taken a leading part in all Zionist activities in New York, and sent its own delegate to the last Congress. The first call for the party fund met with an immediate response of $15.00, and it has given support to the Odessa Zionist library. Its members have been ardently devoted, from the start, to the cause of a Yiddish weekly, and due to its own insistence, and, at times, unfair zeal, the matter was finally taken up by the Federation. It contributed the first $125.00 to the Press Fund.
The membership is at present 65, but it is intelligent and conscious of its own program; though in many instances, they are workmen, they are workmen with a superior education. Propaganda meetings are addressed by its own members, and it has at least fifteen men who
can be depended upon for general work. Though at all times a severe critic of the Federation, its criticism has not deterred its members from joining in the general work of the organization, when their services were asked for. New members are joining every week. All Zionists who have radical tendencies are advised to affiliate with this admirable organization.
The Society was organized by Levenson, Aaron and Lizzie Cohen and four gentlemen coming from Elizabetgrad (Russia). The soul of the Society until he left America was Levinson, a pharmacist. He was succeeded for a half year by Mr. Brodsky, also from Elizabetgrad, and the last one and one-half years by Mr. Maltin. At present the Chairman of the Society is Mr. Landsberg. But it is not in the chairmanship that the strength of the Society lies, it is in the quality of the members themselves, who are thoroughly acquainted with the theories and progress of the movement. We need mention here only those who work for the growth of the Society, and therefore for the Zion'st movement.
There are a few names of these which we may add, but when it comes to practical work, the Society as a whole could be mentioned: Messrs. Landsberg, Brodsky, Chalter, Jaffe, Rubin, Grabelsky Bros., Tolof, Marc, Aaron Cohen, Oderchonsky, Lemush, Millman and Rubinstein; Misses Lizzie Cohen, Jaffe, Novinsky, Firstman and Weitzman.
FROM A ZIONIST SOLDIER.
RECRUITING STATION, U. S. ARMY, Schenectady, N. Y., November 13. MACCABAEAN PUBLISHING Co.
Gentlemen: Enclosed please find check of three dollars ($3) for the Olive Tree Fund, as follows: In memory of my beloved mother, Minna Gottfried, one (1) tree, $1.50; and beloved sister at Frow, Bettie Gottfried, one (1) tree, $1.50. Total, two (2) trees, $3.00.
With Zion’s greetings, MENDEL GOTTFRIED