CALLS FOR REVISION OF REFORM ATTITUDE TOWARD ZIONISM.
Dr. Maurice H. Harris, Rabbi of Temple Israel of Harlem and president of the Eastern Council of Reform Rabbis, speaking on April 25th at a session of the Council, advocated a new attitude toward Zionism on the part of those who feared that Zionism would affect Jewish religious aspiration. Dr. Harris said in part:
"Our great concern now is, as to what will be the future of Eastern Jewry when the sword is sheathed. Some cherish the hope that a Mediterranean port will civilize Russia. Will the confining walls of the Pale of Settlement then be removed as were the ghetto limits in other lands after the French Revolution? Will the schools of Slavdom be opened to more than a beggarly three per cent. of the Jews? Will the Polish boycott end?
"We ourselves may be able to do much to enable the infant industries of Palestine and its young colonies to resume their life. Perhaps the voice of Zionism, crying in the wilderness for twenty years, may at last reach the powers that be, and in the re-making of the map of Europe and Asia, they may decide in the words of Zangwill 'to give this land without a people to this people without a land.'
"Many of the Rabbis of the Liberal School have modified their views on Zionism. The worst fears have not been realized. The unexpected has happened. We are beginning to understand that the continuance of the Jews as a people, favors the perpetuation of Judaism as a faith. If Zionism deepens the Jewish consciousness, it may be a step to deepening the Jewish conscience. Theories crumble before facts. We cannot be indifferent to a movement that has made so strong an appeal to so large a number of our brethren, many of whom had become estranged from the synagogue. We intensely believe that Israel has yet a mission to fulfill in the world. Let us then not reject any movement that may seem to promote it."
Pittsburgh Zionists Working in Vicinity...
Messrs. Avner and Neaman, of the Pittsburgh Zionist organization, have been engaged in propaganda in the vicinity of Pittsburgh. They visited Washington, Pa., on Sunday, April 25th, and Beaver Falls on Thursday, April 29th, showing Palestinian pictures, and making a splendid impression. At Washington, thirty-six recruits joined the ranks, and a new society may be effected among the older people. The Zionist society already existing has been greatly strengthened. The society at Beaver Falls reorganized and promises to be active.
Propaganda in Massachusetts.
Co-operating with the New England Bureau, M. I. Silverman, an active worker of Worcester, Mass., organized a society at Fitchburg, with twenty-seven members. The society will join the Federation under the charter of the old Tiphereth Zion, which has been inactive for a number of years. Mr. Silverman is also in charge of the organization of a society in Putnam, Mass. A society of young people in Worcester, known as The Kadimah, is about to join the Federation as a special contributing organization, also through the influence of Mr. Silverman.
Mr. Fromenson at Schenectady...
Mr. A. H. Fromenson visited the Zionists of Schenectady on Sunday afternoon, May 2d, at the request of the Federation, and delivered an excellent address in St. Paul's Temple before an audience that filled the place. Nathan Sahr, president of the Zionist society, presided. In the discussion that followed Mr. Fromenson's speech, Rabbi Jacobs of the reform congregation, participated and spoke in a friendly way of Zionism. A number of shekels were sold.
Birmingham, Ala., Tikwath Zion.
In addition to Mme. Pevsner, who was in Birmingham last month, the Ahawath Zion had the pleasure of listening to an able address on Zionism by Rabbi B. A. Ehrenreich, who has been for many years in the South and is a loyal Zionist. The Tikwath Zion recently remitted $78.80 to the Emergency Fund.
THE BOSTON CONVENTION.
The preparations for the Boston conventions of the Zionist Organization of America are being completed, and from all indications there will be one of the largest gatherings of Zionists ever held in the United States. The societies are now engaged in electing their delegates.
At a meeting of representatives of all organizations concerned, held on May 5th, at which were present Louis Lipsky and Bernard A. Rosenblatt of the Federation, Joseph Barondess, Joshua Sprayregen, Max Perlman and Nathan Finkelstein of the Order B'nai Zion, Mrs. Gertrude Rosenblatt and Miss Rose Herzog of Hadassah, Sundel Doniger representing the Young Judaea; and Jacob de Haas, of the Boston Committee, it was decided to adopt the following tentative program:
There will be the usual functions on the Sabbath preceding the opening of the convention.
On Sunday, June 27th, in the morning, there will be a joint opening session, where summarized reports will be presented by all the central organizations and committees will be appointed. On Sunday afternoon, the conferees of the Provisional Executive Committee will meet. On Sunday evening, a mass meeting will be held in one of the largest halls in the city.
On Monday, June 28th, in the morning, the delegates of the Federation of American Zionists will meet. On Monday afternoon, the Order B'nai Zion and Hadassah will hold their opening sessions. In the evening, a banquet will be held at which 1,000 plates are to be laid.
On Tuesday, June 29th, the Federation will meet in the morning, the Order B'nai Zion and Hadassah in the afternoon, and in the evening Young Judaea will hold an educational conference of its leaders.
On Wednesday, June 30th, the Young Judaeans will meet in the morning, with the Federation meeting all afternoon and evening.
On Thursday, July 1st, the Federation will meet in the morning continuing until its business is finished. In the afternoon, the Young Judaeans will meet again.
In addition arrangements will be made for a conference of Hoachozo delegates, of Hebrew-speaking delegates, and there will be several incidental functions.
Information regarding the election of delegates should be secured from the organization to be convened. Information regarding railroad rates, hotel accommodations, etc., can be had at the Zionist Bureau for New England, 161 Devonshire Street, Boston.
All resolutions intended for submission to the Federation convention must be in the Federation office not later than June 6th, to be printed on the official paper.
Newark Hadassah Chapter.
An open meeting of the Newark Chapter of Hadassah took place on Sunday evening, April 18th, in the vestry rooms of the Oheb Shalom Synagogue, with Miss Sarah Kussy, president of the chapter, in the chair. Mrs. Richard Gottheil, of New York, spoke of the work of Hadassah's nurses in the old city of Jerusalem. Frank Schechter, also of New York, delivered an address on "Zionism in Relation to the War." Discussions from the floor followed. The musical selections included songs by Mrs. Leopold Rich and a piano selection by Miss Dora Hollander.
New Members in Brooklyn Don Abarbanel Camp.
At its meeting on April 21, the Don Abarbanel Camp of Brooklyn, elected the following members: Louis N. Feldman, Isaac Kaplan, Joseph Halpern, N. Elkin, Abraham Rochmore, Hyman Spitz and Dr. Harris Rabinowitz. Mr. Victor Schwartz continues selling shekels, having already passed the 2,800 mark.
Zionism at Scranton, Pa.
Rabbi H. Gutterman was the principal speaker at a meeting of the Herzl Zion Club, of Scranton, Pa., held on April 18. A good program of music and recitations was rendered. Max J. Finkelstein presided.