The Philadelphia Zionist Convention The Nineteenth Annual Convention of the Federation of American Zionists and its Branches, including an Executive Session of the Provisional Zionist Committee.
The Philadelphia Zionist Convention is now a matter of history. It was the most successful Zionist convention ever held in the United States. The number of delegates exceeded all expectations. Direction was given to Zionist policies, new projects were sanctioned, pledges of large support were given, and the enthusiasm created is bound to have a lasting effect upon the work of the coming year.
The convention may be said to have started on Friday morning, with scores of delegates arriving and at once taking up some of the advance business of the convention. On Saturday morning, several addresses were delivered in the local synagogues, notably impressive being the sermon delivered by Dr. Jacob Kohn of New York, in the Ohel Jacob Synagogue. On Saturday evening, a reception was given to the delegates at the Y. M. H. A. club rooms, with Prof. Max L. Margolis as chairman, and addresses by Dr. Friedenwald, Mrs. Joseph Fels, Jacob de Haas, Louis Lipsky, Dr. Julius Greenstone and others.
On Sunday morning, the executive session of the Provisional Zionist Committee was held at Horticultural Hall. On Sunday afternoon, the opening session of the Federation convention was held in the Broad Street Theatre.
eration convention was held in the Broad Street Theatre. On Sunday evening, the mass meeting at the Metropolitan Opera House brought together the largest Jewish audience ever gathered under one roof. On Monday morning, July 3rd, the first business session of the Federation convention was held at Horticultural Hall. On Monday afternoon, Hadassah opened its convention, the Achozos met, and a number of conferences were held of various state delegations. The banquet on Monday evening at Scottish Rites Hall was a joyful occasion. Over 750 diners were entertained with songs, addresses, and the usual Zionistic forms of amusement. On Tuesday, July 4th, the Federation Convention continued. In the afternoon, the Hadassah concluded its convention, a conference of Dos Yiddishe Folk was held, the Collegiates met, and other caucusses and conferences were held. On Tuesday evening, the Hebrew conference was held, and a special meeting of the Provisional Zionist Committee. All day Wednesday, the Federation convention met, concluding its business at eight-thirty in the evening.
There were 325 delegates present, and about an equal number of visitors and guests.
Provisional Zionist Committee’s Conference
The executive session of the conference of the Provisional Zionist Committee was opened by Mr. Justice Brandeis as temporary chairman on Sunday morning, July 2nd, in Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia. There were over 300 delegates present, and a large number of Zionist guests.
Mr. Jacob de Haas, secretary of the Provisional Committee, presented the report of the Committee, reviewing the policies pursued, and touching upon a number of the more important features of its activities. The report follows:
THE SECRETARY’S REPORT.
Since the conference held last June in Boston, the Goluth has become even more of a chaos than it was. The changing fortunes of the war carry with them more and more distress for our fellow Jews, living, as they do in all Eastern Europe, in the cities, towns and villages that have served the contending armies as battle fields, giving more than their quotas to all the armies, serving with courage and devotion on every side, individually receiving decorations for bravery; but it is unfortunately true that this self-sacrifice has not mitigated the persecution of the mass. On the contrary, in the vast correspondence that filters into our office, there is struck a deeper note, not only concerning the misery that now prevails, but of dire fear for what the future has in store for our people in Europe.
The Movement Abroad.
The distinct expressions of hope—whether the message is in the form of an appeal from Russia or a report of action from South America—is in the possibility of Zionist achievement, and in such action as is expressed in this country by the movement for an American Jewish Congress. It is, therefore, fortunate that we are able to report that, despite all the sufferings and privations incidental to the war, the movement is rapidly reorganizing itself everywhere in Europe. We hear of considerable effort and sacrifice on the part of the Zionists in Russia. The Actions Committee reports that the Jews in the Scandinavian countries have held their second Zionist conference.
Throughout Germany the Central Fund is receiving liberal support, and the Zionists in the German trenches are contributing their small pay to the National Fund. In Holland there is considerable activity, and the scattered Zionists of the Belgian Federation have re-grouped themselves and have headquarters in Holland.
The English Zionists have put forth considerable efforts by issuing a “declaration” which they are asking individual Jews to sign, and so literally are trying to make every Jew stand up and be counted. The French Federation has been reorganized.. The Swiss Zionists are lending all their activity to the Congress Movement and to all war relief. In Austria and in Galicia, many of the Zionists called to the colors made their testamentary requests in favor of the National Fund, and in the record of that Fund it is noticed with interest that Austria took the leading position in the collections in the month of May of this year. In Roumania, where the Zionist Organization was checked at the beginning of the war, there is now a wholesome development. So also in Italy and Egypt. Even Salonika members had a shekelday. On the Western Hemisphere this report will allude in more detail to the co-operation given to the Provisional Committee by the Zionists in Canada, in Argentine and in Brazil; but it is equally interesting to note that British Honduras, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and China are all, in some measure, endeavoring to contribute their mite in thought and in means to the great test. which the Basle Prorramme imposes upon it.
re: he rd ri ae ei ee et a — Inch nn Ti nt A a a In all the turmoil, the Provisional Committee has endeavored to hew straight in the line, endeavoring to accomplish by act, rather than by the presentation’ of theory. Its acts have met with the lavish compliments of the organizations in Europe and elsewhere. Its policy, in support of the Congress Movement, has the unqualified support of the Greater Actions Committee which met in The Hague in March, and of the Inner Actions Committee, which has recently notified it of its full expression of confidence and willingness to support any action that may arise from this Congress.