ZOA Convention Seeks Stronger Ties
Between Israel and Amen can Jewry

Venezky, Rothberg Deny They Urged
Suspension of Imm igraton to Israel

Julian B. Venezky, chairman
time is unthinkable and high-
Zionist Organization that the
ly dangerous," the statement
presidency of the world move- of the National Campaign Cab-
CHICAGO—Seeking a solution to the apparent con- ment should be left unfilled. inet and Samuel Rothberg, na- issued by Rothberg and Ve-
fusion that exists in the ranks of American Zionism in re- Browdy denied that "we are tional chairman for initial gifts nezky declared.
lation both to the Zionist movement and to the state of morally bankrupt and require a of the United Jewish Appeal,
"We do not believe that the
issued a statement denying.that funds available at the present
Israel, high-ranking leaders, in their addresses to the 53rd receivership." -
they
had
made
a
proposal
in
u gu ed g e t
time through the United Jew-
annual convention of the Zionist Organization of America,
The president urged d that the Israel that immigration be sus- ish Appeal are adequate to
spoke bluntly here about the multiplying problems and the ZOA
adopt an expanded budget pended for six months. The
meet the critical needs of a
need for clarification for the
I of $2,000,000 for the coming - year UJA leaders returned by plane `now or never' immigration
status of the movement. 'the Mapai and its chief backer, and that, if necessary, a sepa- from the Jewish State several that cannot be kept below
Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, in the the Histadrut.
I rate drive be conducted to se- days ago.
15,000 a month. If the Jews
principal address to the conven- I But the delegates' decisions, ' cure this sum. He advocated
A New York Times dispatch of the United States fail to
tion, charged that the influence aimed at strengthening the wholehearted cooperation by from Tel Aviv stated that the act quickly, Israel itself will
of the ZOD has diminished be- partnership between Israel and ZOA with the world Zionist two leaders of the United Jewish
be overwhelmed and every-
cause of the diminution of the world Jewry, gave the conven-
Appeal had urged a temporary thing we have tried to build
status of the World Zionist Or- tion the positive approach its
halt in immigration to Israel to
will blow up in our faces."
give American Jews a "breath-
ganization. He asserted that the delegates desired in the best in-
The UJA officers reported that
government of Israel has indi- terests of Israel.
er" in their fund-raising ef-
cated a preference for non-1 In spite of last-minute at-
forts for the United Jewish Ap- with funds raised by the United
Zionists, thus reducing the in- tempts by the Brooklyn and
peal. The Jewish News last week Jewish Appeal, the Jewish Agen-
editorially condemned such an cy has initiated a program of
fluence
of
the
Zionist
move-
Pittsburgh
delegations
to
pre-
ment, and he demanded' clarifi-
attitude.
establishing tent villages near
sent
an
opposition
candidate,
cation of Israel's position to- the convention elected Benja-
"Any proposal for limiting centers of agricultural and in-
wards the Zionist spokesmen.
immigration at the present dustrial activity.
min G. Browdy as president of
Seek Responsibilities
the ZOA. Browdy has been serv-
Specifically, Dr. Silver asked ing as president since the death
that the I s r a el government of Daniel Frisch to whom touch-
should assign to the Zionist ing tributes were paid at the
movement specific responsibili- opening session on Saturday
ties in the field of fund-raising, 1 night by Louis Lipsky.
By PHILIP SLOMOV1TZ
immigration a n d resettlement I In his presidential a d d r es s,
"as the instrument of the Jew- Browdy urged the calling of a
James L. Devlin—Great Reporter and Remarkable Fellow
ish people." He asserted that the conference "on the democrati-
This column is written on the eve of 'a testimonial banquet
BENJAMIN
BROWDY
"lack of dynamics of action" zation of the Jewish community
(set for July 6, at Major's) in honor of an. Irish-Catholic friend
within the Zionist movement is in this country." Emphasizing movement and with the Israel and co-worker, James L. Devlin.
due to the stand of the Israel that an issue exists involving government, asked for the for-
Old-timers know the name well. He is a former Church Editor
government in its relation to control of Jewish communal mation of a Chalutziut Commis- of the Detroit News, served his newspaper for many years on
those now in charge of fund- life and that it no longer can sion and the sending to Israel of Federal Beat and now, after 35 years of service, has been given the
an
raising in this country. I be sidestepped or postponed, he a delegation of 50 outstanding inside desk assignment in the News office. Heads of Federal de-
But while there is an appar- made the charge that "in many American businessmen to study partments, members of the News staff and prominent officials
are
ent confusion within Zionist communities Jewish - Federations the problem of private invest- , participating in the honors scheduled for him at the testimonial
ranks as to the attitude of Gen- and Welfare Funds have arro- ment there.
I- dinner, and Judge Charles C. Simons is to deliver the principal
eral Zionists towards the Israel gated to themselves the control I
Presiding at the session at address.
government's policies, it was over Jewish funds and have de- which Dr. Silver delivered the
This Commentator first worked with Jim when he was Church
clear throughout the sessions creed allocations favoring local principal address, Lipsky em-
Editor
of the News, as temporary successor to the late Charles
here that the membership at institutions at the expense of phasized the need for a unified
large is full of admiration for pressing and tragic needs in Is- Zionist organization instead of Merrick who was among the best loved men among Detroit's
clergymen. Jim immediately acquired similar affection. Christians
the chief figures in 'Israel, for rael."
a mass of competing fractions. I and Jews alike loved him for his impartiality, his sense of fairness,
Premier David Ben-Gurion and
Follows Frisch Policy
Spokesmen' at -convention ses-
his associates who, in the face On this point, Browdy pursues sions pointed to the need for 1 his good and accurate reporting.
Jim Devlin for a number of years reported leading Jewish
of what appeared to be insur-
strengthening the youth move- ,
mountable obstacles, succeeded the ideological policies pursued ment and of lending support to events in Detroit for the News. He preceded the late Philip Adler
as "the Jewish reporter." NoW, Ben Widger fulfills these duties.
in establishing a strong govern- by the late Mr. Frisch. On an-
other
At many of the important Jewish events, from 1918 until
i
er issue — involving
Chalut- Jewish cultural efforts.
ment in the Jewish state.
about 1922, Jim was our "side-kick" at numerous events. In
Stress Role of JNF
ziut — he went contrary to the
Differing Opinions
Frisch program and favored a
The continued importance of 1921, he was assigned to cover the great events which marked
The debate between Dr. Na_ renewal of effort in favor of the Jewish National Fund was the visits to Detroit of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, now president of
hum. Goldmann and Emanuel building up a pioneering group emphasized at a special session Israel. At the rally at Arena Gardens, which was attende.d by
Neumann likewise pointed to in this country for Israel.
on Monday at which Vice Presi- I, an overflow audience of several thousand people, Dr. Weizmann
strong differences of opinion
Browdy criticized the state- dent Alben W. Barkley was the suddenly decided to speak in Yiddish. Jim, seated next to your
among American le a d e r s. Dr. ment made by Baruch Zucker- principal speaker. Mendel Fish- Commentator in the front row, began to scribble rapidly and
Goldmann's strong defense of man—without referring to him er, executive director of the JNF, P a man seated on his left, becoming curious, asked: "What's
the Israel government came in by name—who proposed at the and Harris J. Levine, national , that?" Jim replied: "It's Yiddish shorthand." He didn't under-
answer to the remarks of Dr. Labor Zionist convention that JNF president, addressed this stand a word, but the next morning he carried one of the best
Neumann who is known as an ' since there isn't a single out- session and submitted reports stories on the Weizmann visit—having managed to get an
accurate idea of what was said and of the objectives of the
avowed opponent of the domi- i standing personality able to di- on the status of the JNF.
Detroiters played. an impor- Weizmann meetings here.
nant party in the Jewish state, ! rect the activities of the World
Jim always was a -friend of the Zionist movement. A loyal
tant role in convention commit-
Irishman who craved for independence for the oppressed people
tees.
Two Detroiters, Leon Kay and of Ireland, he entertained similar hopes for the Jewish people.'
Morris Jacobs, were re-elected On occasions, he and another pal, the Greek editor, publisher
members of the national execu- and lawyer George Laskaris, took delight in teasing this Com-
mentator about a major objective of Zionism—the creation of a
tive committee.
By NATHAN ZIPRIN
Jewish Navy. Jim didn't dream—neither did we—that such a
(Copyright, 1950, Seven Arta Feature Syndicate, Inc.)
force would one day be a reality. , He has since told. us how happy
From the Israel Press
he is that a dream which was the cause for puns has become
Premier David Ben Gurion recently addressed a small, inti-
a fact.
Devlin was responsible for the formation of a most in-
mate gathering in Tel. Aviv. The Premier spoke glowingly of
teresting organization in this country—a newspaperman's group
Israel, its tasks and ac complishments. He was lavish with praise
which functioned for more than 20 years under the name of the
for everyone, particularly the young whom he painted with lan-
Society of the Occident and the 'Orient. It included in its mem-
bership 21 nationality groups. During tense international crises,
"The dollars in the hands of
guage bordering on the artistic. When he was through a charming
Chinese and Japanese correspondents met for common profes-
woman rose to applaud the Minister. She agreed with everything unsolicited prospects of the Al-
lied Jewish Campaign are dol- sional good at the satiety's sessions. While the Jewish com-
he said except about the youth. There was eyebrow raising as she lars for Israel."
munity was protesting against pogroms in Poland, Jewish and
spoke. Finally the lady explained. She was willing to give
On this keynote, - Leon Kay, Polish newsmen nevertheless conferred in this society,—thanks
Ben Gurion credit for everything but she couldn't see what right retiring p r e si-
t the inspiration that generated from Jim Devlin who preceded
the Minister had to boast about the youth. The Israel youth, she d e n t. of the
this writer in the presidency of the society.
burst out in laughter, is after all a product of private initiative. Zionist Org'dn-
One of the finest tributes that can be given to any man was
Good Luck
ization of De-
paid to Jim Devlin nearly 20 years ago. Thumbing back some old
Henry Levy is the second of the big-time publicity men to troit and chair-
files, this Commentator recently came across a clipping from
Malcolm W. Bingay's "Good Morning" column, in the Detroit
leave the national field for community work. He is to assume his man. of the
Campaign's
Or-
Free Press of Aug. 17, 1931. Bing's column on that day printed
new duties this week as publicity director of the Associated Jewish ganizations Di-
a letter, signed "J. G.," which stated, under the heading "A Gentle
Charities and Jewish Welfare Fund of Baltimore.
vision, who re-
Comeback":
A Few Notes on Brooklyn
cently returned
Speaking of reporters as you did, reminds me of the story
that is told of James Devlin, veteran federal reporter., and a
To the nation's baseball fans Brooklyn is the home of the from Israel, Kay
called
on
affiliated
Zionists
and
banker in town.
inimitable Dodgers. To lovers of poetry it is famed as-the birth,
all other friends of Israel to
The banker bumped into Devlin one day and the topic of
place of Walt Whitman. To us, however, it is the center of the join
the late-innings squadron
newspapermen came up. The banker was none too polite con-
largest and most concentrated Jewish community in the world. which
is cleaning up outstand- cerning the manners of these representatives of the press. In
Every other inhabitant of that borough is a Jew. There are more ing Campaign slips.
fact he went into a long harangue. Finally Devlin interrupted
Jews in that borough than in all of Israel. The Irish play a
Kay pointed out that 85 per
second role. But one of their own, O'Dwyer, is now Mayor of New cent of all money raised from him:
"Mr. Banker," he said, "perhaps all you say is true. I doubt
York City. The former policeman may be Irish but you wouldn't now on will be devoted to the
guess it from the way he speaks Yiddish. Incidentally during the United Jewish Appeal and for it. But granted it is. Ill just say this. I have been around the
Irish struggle for independence Brooklyn with its' Jewish popula- aid to • refugees and Israel, federal beat for more than 20 years. I have yet to see a news-
paperman ever sent to jail for stealing other people's money.
tion stood out in contributions to the cause of freedom. When under the formula adopted at
And in the same course of time I have seen possibly fifty
Israel rose there was rejoicing among Brooklyn's Irishmen. In the Campaign budget confer-
bankers get sentences of two to twenty years each for the same
both instances Britain was the target. Brooklyn also has the larg- ence in January.
offense."
est Orthodox Jewish population. It is a bulwark of orthodoxy. It
A vitally needed $150,000 to
The banker purpled and left.
has five Jewish hospitals, catering to non-Jews as well, which are $200,000 can be added to cam-
This story, more than a thousand similar ones, sums up the
considered among the best in the country. It has over six hundred paign totals by thorough cover- simplicity,
the sincerity, the religiosity of Jim Devlin. All his life,
Jewish organizations and more than two hundred congregations. age of outstanding., slips, Kay he has been motivated in his activities by the highest principles
It was in Brooklyn . that the ideas of associated Jewish charities declared.
of fair play, and he always has displayed common sense which
was first conceived. In the end the Great Metropolis followed
has guided him along the paths of a distinguished career as a
Down-Under EfectiOn
Brooklyn and founded the Federation of Jewish Philanthropic-
newspaperman. Jim has proven that there is greater glory in
SYDNEY, Austrailia, (JTA)— being a good reporter than in any other career on a newspaper—
Charities. According to legend the first Jew to settle in 'Brooklyn
SAUL
SYMONDS
was
reelected
was a Dutchman from Braecklen. Brooklyn Jewry is preparing to
or in any other field, for that matter. And he has another very
celebrate that event in 1955, the 300th anniversary of the settle- president of the New South great asset: he possesses the quality of strong and loyal friend-.
ment of the first Jew. If you are interested in more details about Wales Board of Jewish Deputies. ship which this writer continues to enjoy.
that colorful borough read "Brooklyn Is America," by Foster Weld,
It is a great pleasure to be able to join with Jim's very many
published by the COlumbia University Press. The volume is a work 2 — THE JEWISH NEWS
friends in greeting him on the occasion of the testimonial being
of love and understanding.
Friday, July 7, 1950
given him. He is one of the grandest fellows we know.

By PHILIP SLOMOV I TZ

_

Purely Commentary

I

On the Record

Kay Calls for Aid
In `Late-Innings'
MC Solicitation

