Orthodox View of Zionist Movement Gains Ground Among Traditional Elements, Mizrachi Convention Hears

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The Orthodox conception of the Zionist movement is gaining ground among the traditional elements of American Jewry and is finding expression in organized form. These were the tidings brought to the twelfth annual convention of the Mizrachi Zionist Organization which is in session here at the Jewish Community Center and is being attended by 320 delegates, mainly rabbis.

The extension of the activities of the organization and the fact that it is finding a greater number of followers, after a period of several years of diminished activities, was reported by Rabbi Mairim Magnes, General Secretary of the organization, in his report, which he submitted at the second day’s session of the convention.

Orthodox women are being enlisted in the work for increasing the Palestine sentiment among the traditional elements, it was brought out.

MIZRACHI DELEGATION RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT COOLIDGE

Between sessions the delegates headed by Rabbi Meyer Berlin, called on President Coolidge. A photograph of the President with the delegation was made. A blessing was bestowed upon the President by Rabbi M. S. Margolis, of New York, seventy-five years old, honorary president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of America.

The blessing was the customary prayer prescribed for Jews on seeing a ruler of a country.

“Blessed be the Lord for having imparted some of His glory upon flesh and blood.”

The delegation included besides Rabbi Berlin and Rabbi Margolis, Rabbi B. L. Levinthal, of Philadelphia. The rabbis were introduced by Rabbi Louis J. Schwefel, of Washington.

“Since our last convention we have established eighteen branches. Today we have one hundred and ninety-two of these branches, Rabbi Magnes reported.

“The membership of the organization has increased extensively. Our membership campaign was successful. The campaign brought in new life to the organization. The Mizrachi Bureau carried on an enlightenment campaign as to the purposes and ideas of the Mizrachi. Much was contributed to our campaign by our party organ, ‘Unser Stimme.’ For a number of years we were unable to publish our own newspaper, but since last April, when ‘Unser Stimme’ began to appear, we have been enabled to reach the masses with our ideas. We also carried on, during last year, increased oral propaganda, sending our speakers to various cities.”

INTEREST OF WOMEN IN MIZRACHI WORK GROWS, REPORT SAYS

Rabbi Magnes then emphasized the development of the Mizrachi work among the Jewish women of America. “The work among Mizrachi women has been greatly developed during the past year. The Ladies’ Society of Chicago donated ten thousand dollars for the Girls’ School, Tachkemoni. Many women’s societies are now occupied with various enterprises in Palestine aside from their organization work here in America. They participate in all Mizrachi activities and are collecting funds for the Palestine work. The women’s organization formed at our eleventh convention in Cleveland has developed during the year. We hope that it will be able to start practical work after this convention. The Mizrachi Hazair is also of great importance to our movement. The Young Mizrachists are the future of the Mizrachi. When the Mizrachi was organized, we neglected the youth. The Mizrachi Hazair has a great field and many opportunities for work. It has shown its ability to participate actively in the general Mizrachi work for Palestine as well as in the work for the United Palestine Appeal and the Keren Hayesod.”

BETTER RELATION WITH Z. O

Rabbi Magnes then reported on the relations between the Zionist Organization and the Mizrachi, stating that the relations are much better now. “There is mutual understanding between us and the Zionist Organization regarding the question of general work. The leadership of the Zionist Organization is now convinced of the necessity of a strong Mizrachi Organization in America, also of the importance of the Mizrachi principles for the upbuilding of our national homeland.

“This new attitude of the Zionist Organization toward the Mizrachi has enabled us to go into partnership with them for the United Palestine Appeal. In the first year of the drive the Mizrachi received for its work in Palestine $90,000 of which $36,000 was allotted for Budget A and $54,000 for Budget B. Part of Budget A was received by the Mizrachi for the Hapoel Ha’Mizrachi. This year the Mizrachi will receive $60,000 for Budget A and $50,000 for Budget B. We also succeeded in getting other sums for work in Palestine,” he stated.

“We are represented on the Board of Directors of the Keren Hayesod by seven directors and on the Administration Committee by two representatives. We have six representatives on the Shekel Board and carried on extensive work in selling Shekels in America.”

Rabbi Magnes also reported on the general work now going on in Palestine.

THE MIZRACHI BANK IN PALESTINE

The development of the Mizrachi Bank was described to the delegates at the convention by Rabbi Saul Silber of Chicago, who stated that in spite of the crisis the bank continued to work prosperously without any losses. The ex-tension of the business of the Mizrachi Bank is apparent from the following figures, he said. From July 30 to September 30, 1926 the increase in the deposits amounted to £2,225. Bills handed in for discount during these three months showed an increase of £11,887. Especial activity was evident in the line of checks and foreign currency amounting to £130,479 on September 30, against £90,778 on July 30, thus showing an increase of £39,701 for the last three months. The sale of shares for the same period amounted to £1139. Adding that the deposits in the Mizrachi bank are safe investments, Rabbi Silber emphasized that the crisis could be overcome with more banks open, which would lead to a reduction of the interest on loans. Some of the most prominent merchants in Palestine do business with the Mizrachi Bank, he said.

The Mizrachi bank, he said, has shown that the task of this institution is two-fold. The Mizrachi Organization embraces a series of cultural and economic institutions for which it was essential to establish financial support. Further, it was intended that the Mizrachi bank should assist the middle class immigrants by granting them credits.

The management of the bank is also assisting clients, enabling them not only to carry their business by credit allowances, but also to establish new credits. The following data illustrates the activity of the bank. All these figures refer to the period from the foundation of the bank until June 30, 1926, thus covering nearly a year of activity. The bank handled 3,029 notes amounting to £64,646 for discount. It is hoped that the bank will be able to pay a dividend after the expiration of the year 1926, because the income new exceeds the expenditures, he stated.

Rabbi Silber then stated that although the Fourteenth Zionist Congress decided that the Keren Hayesod would be obliged to participate in the shares of the Mizrachi Bank to the amount of £5,000 this decision had not yet materialized. It is the duty of the Mizrachi Organization to exert its influence in this direction in order that the decision of the Vienna Congress be realized, Rabbi Silber declared.

The Mizrachi Bank intends by the extension of its own capital, to grant credit for longer terms, from six to twelve months. The bank at present extends credit for 90 days, he said.

2,015 MIZRACHI BANK SHARES SOLD ON RABBI BERLIN’S APPEAL

Two thousand and fifteen shares of Mizrachi Bank bonds of Palestine were sold today at the Convention following an appeal made by Rabbi Berlin. Fifteen thousand dollars was collected during last year by the Mizrachi Ha’Zair, according to the report of Harry Karp, president. He reported that this organization, which was organized three years ago to spread the Mizrachi principles among the Jewish youth in America has also rendered aid to the Mizrachi Chalutzim in Palestine. Of the $15,000 collected, $2,000 were assigned for the Mizrachi workers’ cooperative, Olim Bonim in Palestine. It purchased 500 shares of the Mizrachi bank and contributed $4,000 to the National Fund, and $5,000 to the United Palestine Appeal. The Organization also assigned $4,000 to build an immigrants house for the Mizrachi Chalutzim in Palestine. It seeks to raise during the coming year, $10,000 for the Mizrachi workers cooperative. Mr. Karp demanded that the Mizrachi Convention assign a subvention of $5,000 to enable greater work by the Mizrachi Ha’Zair. Speaking of the Olim Bonim, he emphasized that last year the Mizrachi Organization of America created a substantial fund for this cooperative. This year the work of this cooperative must be increased in order to solve the unemployment problem among the Mizrachi workers.

The Mizrachi has a deficit of $5,000, according to the financial report submitted at today’s session by Abraham Cahn, treasurer. The report shows an income of $36,898 of which over $6,000 was for the purchase of shekels, and $25,000 for propaganda purposes.

The general administrative expenses of the American Mizrachi from May, 1925 to November 1926 amounted to $22,993 resulting in a deficit for the period of over $17,000 against which the Mizhrachi World Organization allotted $12,000.

Over 500 persons attended the banquet given Monday evening. The amount of $5,000 was subscribed following an appeal by Rabbi Berlin who, in his address, dwelt at length on the present situation in Palestine. Referring to the crisis, he said: “Stones must be split in order that houses may be built and wherever stones are split, there must be noise.”

Among the contributors were Jacob Goell, Brooklyn, $500; Abraham Cohen, of Washington, $400; Rabbi B. Levinthal of Philadelphia, $200; $150 each from A. M. Tavisky, Mizrachi Emannuel Ladies Society of Detroit and Mizrachi Ladies Society of Boston. One hundred dollars each was contributed by B. Shnurr. Dr. P. Churgin, S. Goldstein, Harry Karp, S. Levin, M. Schurr, M. Nemirov, Joseph Polstein, Sam Paulstein, J. Dauber. Max Kalikov, O. Preissman, The Ladies Mizrachi Societies of Chicago, Pittsburgh rachi Societies of Chicago, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis and Rabbi S. Levy. Rabbi A. M. Ashinsky of Detroit was toastmaster at the banquet.

CORRECTION

An error occurred in the statement given out from the office of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America with regard to the number of students enrolled in the Teachers’ Training Department of the Teachers’ Institute. The total was given as 56, whereas this is the number of the new students admitted in the Autumn Term. The total number of students enrolled in the Teachers’ Training Department is 144, and the grand total in all departments is 490.