The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1920-03-24
Special Weekly Letter
from New York
THE JEWISH CONGRESS CONFER
ENCE-THE ZIONIST ORGANI-
ZATION AND THE CONGRESS-
JEWISH CENTRE IN THE BRONX
LOUIS SCHNITZER BACK FROM
EUROPE.
Copyright - 1. ]. p. b.

tllt JcMiSu NohEhNFS ah" ~ "e"A'''
social workers, held in New York last
week. is of great interest in many re-
spects.
About 100 people were present. Dr.
Zalkind, the Chairman OF the Jewish
Delegation in Paris. expressed himself
very strongly against the leaders Of
American lewry. His words were in
effect an ultimatum: Either TO find
means of making the continuation of
the work possible. or else state plainly
that the condition of the Jews in Eu-
rope is not their concern, in which
case. the Paris office will be closed
at once.
He stated the tragic fact that the
Jewish representatives OF Russia and
Poland came to the Peace Conference
in Paris in terrible plight after be-
ing robbed of all their possessions. and
ruined by the Russian revolution. The!
expected that the American Jews would
defray the expenses necessary for this
work, but American JewIy did not do
it. 1t Is indeed shameful that while
other. small nattiOnalities expended
millions for their political work in
Paris, the budget of the Jewish Dele
CATION in Paris up to date has been
the meagre sum of $4,000 francs. Even
this money came partly from the per-
sOnal pockets of the delegates who rep
resented the various Jewish comm,in-
tiles.
When the question OF financing the
Jewish Congress was raised. Mr.. Il.
Zuckcrman proposed that the Congress
shonld take over the whole relief work.
and from the general treasury cover
its own expenses. The Jewish Con-
gress, he contended. Is more active in
promoting the welfare of our European
brethren than The Joint Distribution
committee. =
Louis Lipsky, secretary for organi-
zation of the Zionist Organization. So
verely criticized the officers of the
Jewish Congress because they per-
mitted things to drift into such nn
acute state. He declared that he is In
favor Of Il permanent Jewish Com
gress-a Congress with real respoii.
sible leaders to devote all their energy
to Its work.
Lipskys remarks. altho made in a
personal unofficial capacity. and moi
as n Zionist officer, are still Of greai
importance. Many Zionists did not
rr work of the Jewish Congress. know.
ing that the Zionist Organization was
originally not very friendly to its in
ception. After Its part in Paris, Er.
Weitzmanh declared that the Palestine
resolution of the American Jewish
Congress played a vital part in the
eventual recognition of Zionist claims.
And now that the Zionist's Secretary
for Organization has recognized the
value of permanent Congress we may
feel quite sure that Zionists in all
the districts will rally to its support
and contribute to the urgent $4,000
fund to defray its immediate en-
penses.
The Bronx will soon he enriched by
n Jewish centre, which will partly sat.
isfy the social need of its 100000 Jew
ish inhabitants.
Heretofore, we have often heard Of
deserted Jewish synagogs turned into
moving picture houses. In the Bronx.
however. the situation is almost re
versed. A sort of church. mission
AIRY establishment, very richly built.
is located near Crotona Park in the
centre Of the Jewish population. This
house of spiritual refuge is. alas, but
little patroniZed. The Jews promen-
ade in the park past the mission house
apparently but little concerned about
the saving of their souls. But even
an economic basis, for the missionaries
realized that there isn't enough bust
ness for them and decided to sell out.
So the Congregation Beth Israel and
the Talmud Torah of the same name
united to buy this building. They
expect to establish there large Tai
mud TOrah as well as a Jewish centre
for adults, which will offer recreation
in Jewish atmosphere.
The Bronx has many small Jewish
societies but, with the exception Of the
Zionist synagog and Talmud Torah
Beth Zion, no institution which can he
thought Of ms Jewish centre, where
Jews may meet for social as well as
religious purposes.
Louis Schnitzer, the director of the
Jewish Art Theatre. returned this