Dundee Zionist Society

Timeline

• 1973 - Dundee Zionist Society - Chairman—S. M. Gillis, 1, Osborne Place, Dundee.
• 1938 - According to Harvey Kaplan of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre (SJAC)in an address in 2012: 'It is estimated that there were 20 to 30 Jewish families in Dundee in the 1930s and there was a cheder under Rev Franks. In 1938, when the minister was Rev. M Isaacs, a Dundee Zionist Society was formed. The community was at its peak after the Second World War, with about 35 to 40 families and a minister, Rev. M Segal.
• 1938 - September - ZIONISM IN DUNDEE J.N.F. Branch and Zionist Society Established Extraordinary enthusiasm for the JN.F. was displayed by almost every member of the Dundee Jewish community, when they were visited last Sunday by several members of the Glasgow J.N.F., Commission, whose aim it was to establish a Commission in Dundee. The Glasgow visitors, Mr. Fred Nettler, J.P., Provincial Vice- President of the Zionist Federation and Vice-President of the J.N.F., Mr. E. M. Naftalin, Box Convener of the Glasgow Commission, and Mr. K. Cina, Hon. Secretary of the Commission, were entertained to lunch, on their arrival in Dundee, by Mr. and Mrs. H. Levinson, 6 Springfield. Prior to their departure, they again experienced Dundee hospitality, being entertained to supper by Mr. and Mrs. S. Gillis, 25 Springfield, The visitors proceeded to the Masonic Halls, in which were gathered nearly the entire Jewish population, and many of the non-Jewish community, including a number of clergymen. An address by Mr, Fred Nettler, in which he described the heroic struggles and magnificent achievements of the Chalutzim during the past 25 years, and the part that the J.N.F. played in the development of Palestine, illustrated by his well-known colour film of Palestine, was very well received by the large gathering, which evinced great interest in all aspects of the subject, Rev. M. Isaacs, who proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Nettler, said that his film inspired them all to participate in the work of reconstruction in Palestine. Bailie Caldwell thanked Mr. Nettler on behalf of the non- Jews present for his lucid exposition of the Jewish question, and praised his colour film, which, he said, did justice to the great work of the Jewish pioneers. Following this address and film show, the Glasgow visitors discussed with the Dundee Jews, at a meeting in the Synagogue Rooms, the formation of a Dundee Commission of the J.N.F. It was ultimately decided to establish a society, to be known as the Dundee Zionist Society, which should control all Zionist and J.N.F. work in the community. A special sub-committee, which is, in effect, a J.N.F. Commission, will devote itself exclusively to the management of JN.F. affairs, but all work will be carried out under the auspices of the Zionist Society. A ladies’ committee was coopted, their function being similar to that of the Glasgow Women’s Zionist Organisation. . The office-bearers of the new Society are.—Rev. M. Isaacs, Chairman; Mr. L. Hyman, Vice- Chairman; Mr. H. Levinson, Hon. Treasurer; Mr. H, Silver, Hon Secretary. Committee Messrs. F. Fredman, I. Rosen, S. Gillis, and H. Milos; Ladies' Committee, Mrs. M. Isaacs, Mrs. H. Levinson, and Mrs. S. Gillis
• 1938 - May - DUNDEE. A deputation from the Glasgow Jewish National Fund Commission, consisting of Messrs. E. M. Naftalin, Isidore Naftalin, Montague Jacobs, and K. Cina, Hon. Secretary of the Glasgow J.N.F. Commission, paid a visit to the Dundee congregation on Sunday, 8th May, and addressed a representative meeting held in the Dundee congregation chambers. Mr. S. Gillis, the chairman of the congregation, was in the chair, and after the congregation had been addressed by the delegates, it was quite evident that they fully realised their obligations to Zionism and to Judaism in general. :Questions asked by the members present showed that they were interested in all works appertaining to the Zionist movement and Palestine. Mr. F. Fredman, Mr. H. Milos, and Mr. I. Jacobs took part in the discussion. The ladies particularly showed their interest in the activities of the Jewish National Fund as far as Sefer Hayeled Certificates and Trees certificates were concerned, and all present pledged themselves to do their utmost to further the work of the J.N.F. It was also agreed that pending a future meeting of their congregation, J.N.F. activity should be undertaken by Mr. S. Gillis, chairman of the congregation, and Mr. H. Silver, the Hon. Secretary. The delegation was successful in placing boxes in every Jewish home in Dundee, and they were very gratified at the result of their visit there. It was also arranged that a second visit should be paid there, and if possible a well-known speaker should be asked to address them. : Apart from pledging themselves to help in the work of the J.N.F., those present at the meeting undertook to distribute Shekolim. After the meeting the delegation was entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. Gillis.
• 1913 - First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1914.

See also

• Dundee Hebrew Congregation
• Dundee Dorshei Zion and Literary Society - founded by 1905
• Dundee Zionist Society - founded by 1913
• Dundee Jewish Literary Society - founded by 1925
• Dundee JNF Commission - founded by 1927.
• Dundee WIZO - founded by 1955(lxxxii)
• Dundee University Jewish Society - founded by 1979
• Glasgow Commission of the Jewish National Fund
• The Jewish Year Book
• The Zionist Year Book