The Maccabaean

To THE MACCABAEAN :

I desire to submit the following idea to the consideration of the Zionists of this country:

Briefly, the proposal is to develop from within our midst, a trained band of Zionist workers who will be as fully equipped as possible, to efficiently carry on the work of the Zionist cause.

For the purposes of this letter, I roughly divide the propaganda work of the Zionist movement into two parts, which for the sake of clearness, I call "Non-material" and "Material." (1) By "Non-material" work I mean lectures, public meetings, clubwork, etc. (2) By "Material" work I mean the actual arrangement of lectures, meetings, the organization of clubs, the collection of funds, etc.

The methods used in carrying on the work of the Federation in the past were adapted to the means at its command, but the organization has shown itself ready to change its methods of procedure to meet new demands, and it is because of my belief in the progressive spirit of the present leaders of the movement in this country that I offer this plan for the development of men and women who will be properly trained to undertake the task of further systemizing and carrying on with greater efhiciency the work of the Zionist cause.

A few illustrations will make clear the need for such a body of workers and how they can further the work of the organization, both "Non-material" and "Material."

(1) We have grown accustomed to the spectacle of Zionist societies being organized amid great enthusiasm only mysteriously to disappear after a brief existence. To me it seems that one of the chief causes of this phenomenon is the lack of properly trained persons to direct and sustain the energies and activities of these organizations.

(2) I have frequently heard the question asked, "What becomes of that large number

of men and women, boys and girls, who at one time or another were connected with the Zionist movement?” Would there not be less cause for asking this question if there were competent persons to organize these individuals, and properly to impress them with the ideas for which Zionism stands?

(3) In its latest report the Federation states that it has been unable to find suitable persons to organize the Zionists in various parts of the country. Under the proper conditions such persons can be developed by the organization.

(4) At the present time there is a great dearth of good Zionist lecturers. A good lecturer is an individual thoroughly acquainted with his subject, who knows how to present the subject matter in an attractive form. There is no reason why our men and women should not be trained for such work. We have plenty of raw material.

At the present time we behold the spectacle of “Young Judaea” struggling with the education of thousands of Jewish children. How many of those who are entrusted with this task have had the training necessary for doing this work properly. What is the proportion of children kept in the Zionist movement to those who drift away after a brief period? Do you not think that fraction would be larger if this task were entrusted to trained workers?

As regards the practical working out of this plan, I believe that a detailed statement would be somewhat out of place in a communication of this nature, but in answer to the very reasonable question, "How are we going to do it?" I would suggest the following:

(1) That this work be under the direct supervision of the Federation of American Zionists because,

(a) It is to be national in scope and therefore ought. to be controlled by the national organization,

(b) The system of preparation used