The Maccabaean

To-day we Zionists of Canada gather in annual convention for the eleventh time, and for the second time Toronto has been chosen as the scene of our deliberations.

When last we met in Convention in Toronto, we Zionists were contending against many adverse circumstances,—struggling against heavy odds. We were yet staggering under the dreadful blow of Herzl’s death. We had but recently witnessed the secession of men who either failed to understand the underlying spirit of our Movement, or else lacked the tenacity of purpose, that patience and steadfastness, that are necessary for the attainment of any great political programme. Those whose countenance and support we had most right to expect. were opposing us. Those who should have cheered us on, were trying to discourage us. We were told, even by people who prayed daily for the Restoration of Zion, that our work was futile, that our plans were not feasible, that our aims would never be realized. According to these prophets of woe, our Movement was doomed to extinction within a very short time. Indeed, we were told that within that very year we would witness the debacle. and that the Canadian branches of the Movement would sink to ruin in the general break-up. But in spite of the then untoward appearance of things, we Zionists of Canada assembled in Toronto, absolutely undaunted by any unfavorable circumstances and not in the least disturbed by the prognostications of those who trembled lest we might succeed. For Canadian Zionism was never of that feeble nature that could be affected by the fact that there were clouds in the sky. Our devotion to our ideals could not be shaken by the knowledge that there were difficulties ahead. On the contrary, the fact that no step forward could be gained without struggle, far from discouraging us, only gave us increased incentive to do our duty. to stand by our guns. Opposition but strengthened

our resolution to vigorously support that Movement which presents the only attempt that has been made in modern times to solve the Jewish Question on a statesmanlike basis; the only attempt that has been made to solve Jewish problems by a plan which takes count of the racial sentiments, the historic traditions, the spiritual yearnings, the intellectual forces and the national aspirations of the Hebrew People. That there was ample justification for the optimism which prevailed at our previous Convention in this city, in spite of the difficulties to which I have referred, is convincingly proved by the Convention again in Toronto as members of a Federation which is in every respect, stronger, more efficient, more thoroughly representative of the Jewish communities of this country than ever before. Our membership has grown, our income has increased, our organization has improved; and when the record of the various branches of our world-Movement is examined we find that the Canadian Federation has much more than held its own.

The steady growth of Zionism in Canada has been in no small degree due to the fact we have always kept well in view the practical side. we have always recognized that mere ebullitions of sentiment would prove inadequate unless supported by concrete achievements. Hence it has become a matter of course that when we gather in Convention annually the first thing that interests us is to see how much practical work our Federation has accomplished during the year, how many new adherents have been gained, how many new branches have been formed, above all how much we Zionists of Canada have contributed in hard cash to the funds of the Movement. The reports that will be placed before you today will show that we have gone forward substantially since our last Convention, that never indeed did the flag of this Federation float as high as now, # The steady growth of Zionism in Canada has been in no small degree due to the fact we have always kept well in view the practical side, we have always recognized that mere ebullitions of sentiment would prove inadequate unless supported by concrete achievements. Hence it has become a matter of course that when we gather in Convention annually the first thing that interests us is to see how much practical work our Federation has accomplished during the year, how many new adherents have been gained, how many new branches have been formed, above all how much we Zionists of Canada have contributed in hard cash to the funds of the Movement. The reports that will be placed before you to-day will show that we have gone forward substantially since our last Convention, that never indeed did the flag of this Federation float as high as now,—for we are