Finding aid for the Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland District Photographs

History of the Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland District

The Cleveland District of the Zionist Organization of America was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1966 as a result of a merger of three previous districts, including the Temple on the Heights District and The Temple District. Between 1966 and 1975, the organization was headed by five presidents. Gilbert Savransky held the office until Sandford Curtiss took over in the summer of 1969. When Curtiss resigned in August of 1970, Conrad Morgenstern held the office for two and one-half years. In September of 1973, Morgenstern was succeeded by Samuel Givelber for one year, who was then succeeded by Dr. Burton Dean in September of 1974.

The Cleveland District of the Zionist Organization of America was an affiliate of the national organization created in 1918. Formed out of the merger of there existing Zionist groups - the Federation of American Zionists, young Judea, and Hadassah - national Zionist Organization of America elected Louis D. Brandeis honorary president and Julian W. Mack as president at its founding convention.

From 1918 to 1921, representatives of the Zionist Organization of America participated in the work of the Zionist Commission in Palestine. After a period of activity in concert with the Emergency Committee for Zionist Affairs during World War II, the organization worked to mobilize United States support for the establishment of the state of Israel.

Since May of 1948, the national Zionist Organization of America has shifted its role from strong involvement in efforts to create the State of Israel, to one of fundraising and public relations on behalf of the newly founded state. This shift is reflected in the Cleveland District where this new emphasis on fundraising and public relations is very evident. In 1967, the Cleveland District played a vital role in the establishment of the Cleveland Zionist Emergency Council. Established by the Zionist Organization of America, under the chairmanship of Rabbi Daniel Jeremy Silver, the Council's purpose is to mobilize Cleveland Zionist organizations on Israel's behalf during periods of crisis, particularly through fundraising and public relations. The active response of the District's public affairs committee to issues relating to the American Jewish community and particularly on behalf of Soviet Jewry and the State of Israel is representative of organizational activities.

The Zionist Organization of America's support for projects in Israel - the Kfar Silver and Mollie Good High Schools - is dependent upon the success of its fundraising campaigns. Until 1970 the Kfar Silver Benefit Concert was a major event of the year, however, concerts raised insufficient funds for the needs of the projects. As a result, the presentation of the Abba Hillel Silver Humanities Award to a worthy individual was decided upon. The goal of the award was to support a perpetual scholarship at Kfar Silver High School based on funds collected prior to the dinner and presented to Kfar Silver in the name of the honoree. The award dinners in honor of Robert Taft, Jr., Gerald Ford, and Max Fisher were all very successful.

In October 1967, a women's committee was established for the purpose of conducting various fundraising projects. In August 1970, an investment club was formed that was responsible for the buying and selling of American and Israeli stocks and securities.

The programming of educational activities for both adults and youth have been essential to the organization. In December of 1867, Masada, the Zionist Organization of America youth group, was formed in Cleveland. Promoting Masada membership and finding proper facilities and a dynamic leader for the group have been topics of concern for the parent organization.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Zionist Organization of America conference that was held in Cleveland in 1921

Scope and Content

The Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland District Photographs, ca. 1965-1975, consist of individual portraits, group portraits, and views of individuals, groups, and activities relating to the Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland (Ohio) District.

The collection includes 137 black and white photographs that measure 8 x 10 inches and smaller.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of the Jewish community in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Zionist movement in America in the 1960s and 1970s.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 3734 Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland District Records.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 188 Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland District Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

These photographs were removed from MS 3734 Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland District Records. Gift of the Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland District, in 1977.

Detailed Description of The Collection