Dr. Harris J. Levine Elected President of J.N.F. of America; Succeeds Judge Rothenberg

Dr. Harris J. Levine, Zionist Leader, was unanimously elected president of the Jewish National Fund of America today at the annual meeting of the J.N.F., held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. He succeeds Judge Morris Rothenberg who resigned to assume the national chairmanship of the United Palestine Appeal.

In a report reviewing his six year’ incumbeney, Judge Rothenberg, who presided at the annual meeting, declared that more than $108,000,000 had been received by the Jewish National Fund of America in that period. Of that sum, $93,000,000 represents income from the United Palestine Appeal –United Jewish Appeal, while $15,000,000 was raised in small collections contributed by Jews throughout the United States through the traditional collections of the Jewish National Fund.

The annual conference paid tribute to the late Daniel Frisch, president of the Zionist Organization of America. Dr. Levine announced that a project in the form of a 100,000-tree forest will be launched immediately to honor Mr. Frisch’s memory. This memorial forest will be adjacent to the George Washington Forest which was planted by American Jews and non-Jews through the J.N.F. as a tribute to the first President of the United States.

Announcement was also made that in tribute to Judge Rothenberg’s distinguished carrer of more than 25 years of service to the Zionist movement, a dinner will be tendered in his honor in May under the joint auspices of the United Palestine Appeal and the Jewish National Fund. Mr. Elias M. Epstein, overseas director of the Jerusalem headquarters of the J.N.F. who is scheduled to return to Israel today, declared that he was confident that the Fund was new entering the most significant and productive stage in its nearly fifty years of existence.

Elected along with Dr. Lovine were Louis Sogal, honorary secretary; Jacob Sincoff, national treasuror; Rabbi Max Kirshblum and Miss Julliet M. Bonjamin, associate treasurers. Mondel N. Fisher was named, for the 15th consecutive year, secretary and executive director. Sixty-two members were elected to the board of directors, representing all Zionist groups in this country and eighteen were named to the administrative committee. Dr. Israel Goldstein, former president of the fund, Dr. Pinkhos Churgin, Mrs. Rose L. Halprin Louis Lipsky, Dr. Emanuel Neunann, Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, Judge Louis E. Levinthal of Philadelphia, and Baruch Zuckerman were elected honorary chairmen.