Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 197

The office of the Federation keeps in touch with the Zionist Societies in the various states of the Commonwealth, but owing to the great distances that separate them and the impossibility of arranging for regular visits of a representative to the affiliated societies it is difficult to maintain regular activity. During the period under review Dr. Benzion Shein completed his tour through Australia as a delegate of the Keren Hayesod. He visited Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle, and some smaller towns, and the large number of addresses that he delivered both to Jewish and non-Jewish audiences have greatly furthered our cause in extensive circles. The appointment of Rabbi E. M. Levy, M.A., late of South Africa, as Chief Minister of the principal synagogue in Sydney may be confidently expected to bring about an improvement in Zionist activity in New South Wales generally. The Union of Sydney Zionists, under the presidency of Mr. Saul Symonds, continues its work by lectures and meetings and the raising of funds. AUSTRIA. The Executive consists of the following : President : Dr. Oskar Gruenbaum; Vice-Presidents : Dr. Paul Berger and Frau Sabine Passweg; Members : H. Apter, Dr. Josef Gruenberger, Akim Lewith, Ignatz Mueller, Dr. F. Pickholz, Prof. Ludwig Planer, Dr. Leopold Plaschkes, Dr. Philip Rezek, Dr. Alois Rothenberg, Dr. Dag Rybaczewski, Mendel Teig, Dr. Zwi Wieselberg. Secretary : Frl. Judith Drimer. The Austrian Federation comprises a Union of General Zionists, consisting of 16 district sections in Vienna and 10 local societies in the Provinces, with a total membership of 5,219. There are also the following separate bodies : Wizo (620 members); Radical Zionists (634 members); and the following Youth Associations : Gdud Zirim (970 members), Brith Herzl (220), Mirjam (200), Zirenu (250), Young Zionist Club (80), Erez Israel Club (200), Hitzing League (80). In comparison with the position at the last Congress, there has been a considerable increase of membership in all organisations. The Youth League " Gdud Zirim " now comprises five times as many members as it did two years ago. The last Annual Conference of the Austrian Zionist Federation was held on April 17th, 1934, Prof. S. Brodetsky being present. Propaganda.—All our societies and other bodies hold lectures and discussion evenings devoted to Zionist subjects at least once a week. The greatest importance, however, is attached to personal propaganda. Most of our societies conduct courses for the Hebrew language, the history of Zionism and Jewish history in general. During the last two years the following visitors from abroad have addressed meetings in Austria : Dr. Nahum Sokolow, 197