Zionist Organization

of America

The first organized Zionist movement in Youngstown dates back to May 1904, when fifteen men gathered at the home of Louis Ozersky at 349 East Federal Street. The group of men named their small organization Degel Tzion (Flag of Zion.) A Ladies’ Zionist Society formed in November 1906 and conducted the same work as Degel Tzion. The first officers were Mrs. L Regenstreich - president, Mrs. M. J. Bender - recording and corresponding secretary, Mrs. Emanuel Ozersky - financial secretary, and Mrs. Louis Ozersky - treasurer. The young men and women of Youngstown were also actively involved in the Zionist movement with Sons and Daughters of Zion chapters forming a few years after the Ladies’ Society. Several other Zionist organizations formed in Youngstown during the early years of the twentieth century. Poale Zion, the Zion Association, the Grace Auguilar Society, the Mizrachi Society, and the Zionist League of Ohio are just a few that appeared throughout the Mahoning Valley.

During the 1920s, Youngstown developed a national reputation as a “Hot Bed of Zionism.” The passionate and determined work of David I. Fish, Abe Kamenetzky, Oscar Altshuler, Louis Ozersky, and many other local Zionist leaders allowed the city to host prominent speakers at banquets that successfully furthered Zionist objectives.

One of the largest local events was the locally sponsored State Zionist convention held in Youngstown in November 1918. Oscar H. Altshuler, son of one of the founders of Degel Tzion, is remembered as Youngstown’s “Mr. Zionism.” Oscar and his brother Joseph helped organize the city’s Sons and Daughters of Zion group in 1909. Altshuler, barely out of his teens, played a crucial role in organizing the 1918 State Convention in Youngstown as an officer in the Ohio State Zionist League. Joe Hill was honored as Z. O. A. Man of the Year in May 1964, receiving an Israeli watch at the Zionist ‘Kfar silver’ Dinner, presented to him by President Joseph Berkowitz. Hill was a past president of the Youngstown Zionist District and served as president of the Tri-State Zionist Region at the time he received the award.

In 1993 Eugene and Esther Sacolick received the annual K’far Silver scholarship plaque and Justice Louise D. Brandeis Award from the Youngstown District of the Zionist Organization of America for their years of service to Israel and religious, community and humanitarian causes. Eugene Sacolick served on the board of directors of Ohev Tzedek for more than thirty years, serving as its president for four years. He was treasurer of the Youngstown District ZOA at the time of the award, and vice president of the Tri-State Region. His wife Esther was active in Pioneer Women, also known as Na A’Mat, serving as president and also treasurer of the Tri-State Region of ZOA, serving on Youngstown District’s board of directors in 1992.

Senator Harry Meshel and Joe Hill, 1974. Bottom: Rabbi Sidney Berkowitz, two unidentified men, and Joe Hill. Acc. No. JA95-273.1 and JA95-273.5, MVHS Collections

Z. O.A. Gathering. Unidentified, Congressman Carney, unidentified, and Joe Hill, 1974. Photographer: Kivowitz. Acc. No. JA95-273.4

Congressman Carney, Morris Demarkin, unidentified speaker, Joe Hill, 1974 Acc. No. JA95-273.3, MVHS Collections

Z.O.A. Group: Eugene Sacolick, Esther Sacolick, Larry Ehrlich, Saul Firedman, Ada Hill, Joe Hill, Frank Haber, 1974 Acc. No. JA95-273.2, MVHS Collections

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society educates and promotes an interest in the history of the Mahoning Valley by collecting, preserving, and developing material representative of the people who have inhabited the region.

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