Glasgow Zionist Central Council
Coordinating council of Zionist bodies in Glasgow
The Glasgow Zionist Central Council (GZCC) was a council of Zionist organisations in Glasgow. A body of that name, chaired by Mr. Schenkin, was reported in the Jewish Chronicle in 1926.[1] In 1988 it hosted a farewell reception for Glasgow youth leaders going to Israel, addressed by the outgoing Jewish Agency shaliach.[2] In 1991 its vice-chairman, Kenneth Davidson, said that the council "was set up in 1984 with the express intention of encompassing all views".[3]
Background
The Jewish Virtual Library describes how joint Zionist councils came about in Britain under the rules of the Zionist Organisation:
- The revised statutes of the Zionist Organization passed by the Tenth Zionist Congress (1911) permitted the establishment of so-called Sonderverbaende (separate unions), in addition to the existing territorial organizations, on the condition that every Sonderverband numbered at least 3,000 shekel-buying members and that it professed special views on Zionist work. The Order of Ancient Maccabeans applied for this status, and though its claim was opposed by the English Zionist Federation, the order prevailed. In 1912 the Zionist Executive decided in favor of the order's status as Sonderverband on the condition that a Joint Zionist Council be formed, comprising representatives of both the order and the federation. In the 1930s, however, the order lost its special status.[4]
The 1926 Glasgow council's chairman spoke at a meeting of the Glasgow beacons of the Order of Ancient Maccabeans.[1]
1991 dispute with Peace Now
In 1991 a GZCC meeting entitled "What Price Peace — Is Israel Being Sold Down The River?" drew an audience of 200. Nigel Allon of Glasgow Peace Now, who was also chairman of the Glasgow Zionist Organisation, criticised the council. In reply, Kenneth Davidson said the council had been set up in 1984 "with the express intention of encompassing all views", and the chairman, Stephen Cowan, said: "I am delighted that Peace Now is affiliated to the GZCC."[3]
People
1980s-90s
- 1993 - Glasgow Jewish Resource Centre, T. 041 6202194. Chairman Stephen Cowan ; Hon Sec Mrs D Zolkwer[5]
- 1992 - Chairman Stephen Cowan; Hon Sec Mrs D Zolkwer[6]
- 1991 - Chairman Stephen Cowan; vice-chairman Kenneth Davidson.[3]
- 1989 Hon Sec Mrs L Shulman, Chairman Stephen Cowan.[7]
- 1988 'Six Glasgow youth leaders are off to Israel to participate in leadership courses and a supplementary programme. The sextet are Wendy Cohen, Daniel Goldberg and Elliot Naftalin of Habonim-Dror, Karen Haas of RSY, Norton Kudlatz of Maccabi and Belinda Shulman of FZY. a farewell reception was hosted by the Glasgow Zionist Central Council and addressed by the community youth leader Steven Fine and the outgoing Jewish Agency shaliach, Mr Benzion Yariv.[2]
- 1984 - Kenneth Davidson, vice-chairman of the GZCC in 1991, said that it had been set up in 1984.[3]
1926
MEETINGS IN GLASGOW.
- Mr. I. Samunov, the Treasurer of the Central Office for Great Britain, visited Glasgow on Sunday. In the morning he addressed a conjoint meeting of the Jehuda Maccabee, Leo Pinsker, and Bnei Jacob, Beacons of the Order of Ancient Maccabeans. The respective Commanders pledged the support of their Beacons for National Fund work, and a number of volunteers were enrolled. Mr. Schenkin, the Chairman of the Glasgow Zionist Central Council also spoke. Thanks were accorded to Mr. Samunov on the motion of Mr. Shafter, supported by Mr. Balkind.
- Mr. Schenkin presided over a conference of Zionist workers held in the afternoon at Geneen's Restaurant. Mr. Samunov addressed the con-terence, and appealed for the support of the ladies. A Committee was elected to make the preliminary arrangements for a Jewish National Fund bazaar to be held in Glasgow in Deeember. Mr. S. S. Samuel, J.P. moved, and the Rev. D. Jacobs seconded, a vote of thanks to the speaker. A public meeting was hold at the Jewish National Institute in the evening. Mr. A. I. Sunderland presided, and Mr. Samunov delivered an address on 'Zionism and its Influence on the Galuth.' Thanks were conveyed to the lecturer by Mr. Louvish and Mr. A. Haase.[1]
Members
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jewish Chronicle, 30 April 1926, p. 26.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jewish Chronicle, 30 September 1988, p. 9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Albert Benjamin, "Zionists divide on debate demand", The Jewish Chronicle, 29 December 1991.
- ↑ "Maccabeans, Order of Ancient", Jewish Virtual Library, accessed 28 October 2026.
- ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1993, p.158.
- ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1992, p.155.
- ↑ The Jewish Year Book, 1989, p. 137.