ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA NEWS RELEASE   ZOA & ZOA National President Morton A. Klein are Honored at 125th Anniversary Celebration of the First World Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) released the following statement: On August 29-31, 2022, exactly 125 years after the founders of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) represented American Jewry at the inspirational First World Zionist Congress convened by Dr. Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland, the ZOA is revisiting Basel and participating in the WZO’s 125th year gala celebration. At the WZO anniversary plenary event, in front of 1,200 attendees from all over the world, ZOA National President Morton A. Klein and ZOA were honored with an award for Mr. Klein’s many decades of, and ZOA’s 125 years of, outstanding efforts helping and defending Israel the Jewish people. Our dear friend and supporter, philanthropist and distinguished physician Dr. Miriam Adelson, WZO Chair Yaakov Hagoel and TV Anchor Hila Korach presented the award to ZOA President Morton Klein, following a beautiful, heartfelt substantive speech by Dr. Miriam Adelson. Dr. Adelson also told Morton Klein that ZOA must continue to do ZOA’s important, sacred work on behalf of the Jewish state of Israel. Speakers at the conference included: Israel’s president Isaac Herzog; Dr. Miriam Adelson; President of Basel Mr. Beat Jans; Chairman of WZO Yaakov Hagoel; Rabbi David Wolpe; Dr. Shuly Schwartz, Chancellor, Jewish Theological Seminary; Nachman Shai, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs; Yael Epstein; Mark Wilf, Chair, Jewish Agency Board of Governors; architect Daniel Libeskind; Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya’alon, former Israeli Minister of Defense; and many more. In addition, on the preceding Shabbat, Morton Klein was given another great honor – the “Herzl Aliyah” (the 5th Aliyah) – the very same Aliyah given to Dr. Theodor Herzl at the Great Synagogue in Basel exactly 125 years ago, when Dr. Herzl prayed there for the success of Zionism and the First Zionist Congress. After the First World Zionist Congress, Dr. Theodor Herzl wrote “at Basel, I founded the Jewish State.” The dedicated, enthusiastic American delegation to the First World Zionist Congress founded ZOA as the Federation of American Zionists in 1897, and changed our organization’s name to the Zionist Organization of America in 1917. The first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, and Rabbi Abba Silver previously served as presidents of the ZOA. Today, the ZOA is the oldest Zionist organization in the United States, as well as the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; and fighting against all forms of antisemitism. ZOA National President Morton Klein stated: “I’m so proud that ZOA participated in the First World Zionist Congress, and worked so hard to carry out its goals. I am so honored by the award given to me and the ZOA, and to celebrate and carry out the vision of my predecessors and all the men and women from around the world who came together 125 years ago to lay groundwork for the State of Israel’s miraculous rebirth in the Jewish people’s ancestral, indigenous homeland.   Dr. Miriam Adelson, ZOA National President Mort Klein, and WZO Chair Yaakov Hagoel   ZOA National President Morton A. Klein at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the First World Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland   Read More   Share This Email In Case You Missed It... You can find information on more of President Biden's appointments HERE. Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2022, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]