On This Day

Jewish Agency for Palestine is formed

The Jewish Agency for Israel, formerly known as the Jewish Agency for Palestine, is the largest Jewish non-profit organization in the world.

The Jewish Agency for Israel, formerly known as the Jewish Agency for Palestine, is the largest Jewish non-profit organization in the world. It was established in 1929 as the operative branch of the World Zionist Organization (WZO).

As an organization, it encourages immigration of Jews in diaspora to the Land of Israel, and oversees their integration with the State of Israel. Since 1948, the Jewish Agency claims to have brought 3 million immigrants to Israel, where it offers them transitional housing in "absorption centers" throughout the country. David Ben-Gurion served as the chairman of its executive committee from 1935, and in this capacity on 14 May 1948, he proclaimed Israel's independence, following which he served as the first Israeli prime minister.

Historical Significance

The Jewish Agency for Israel, formerly known as the Jewish Agency for Palestine, is the largest Jewish non-profit organization in the world.

Events Before

  1. Algemeene Vereeniging Radio Omroep (AVRO) begins broadcasting in the Netherlands

    Algemeene Vereeniging Radio Omroep (AVRO) begins broadcasting in the Netherlands

  2. Paleoanthropologist Davidson Black reports his findings on the ancient human fossils found at Zhoukoudian, China, in the

    Paleoanthropologist Davidson Black reports his findings on the ancient human fossils found at Zhoukoudian, China, in the journal Nature and declares them to be a new species he names 'Sinanthropus pekinensis' (now known as 'Homo erectus')

  3. American actress Mary Astor (21) weds American film director Kenneth Hawks (30) at her family home "Moorcrest" in the Ho

    American actress Mary Astor (21) weds American film director Kenneth Hawks (30) at her family home "Moorcrest" in the Hollywood Hills, until his death in 1930

  4. Industrialist Oskar Schindler (19) weds Emilie Schindler (20) in Svitavy, Czech Republic

    Industrialist Oskar Schindler (19) weds Emilie Schindler (20) in Svitavy, Czech Republic

  5. RCA and GE install three test television sets in homes in Schenectady, New York, allowing trials of inventor E.F.W. Alex

    RCA and GE install three test television sets in homes in Schenectady, New York, allowing trials of inventor E.F.W. Alexanderson's first home television receiver; a poor and unsteady 1.5-square-inch picture is received from a radio transmitter

Events After

  1. Claus von Stauffenberg is promoted to Second Lieutenant

    Claus Philipp Maria Justinian Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg was a German army officer who is best known for his failed attempt on 20 July 1944 to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair, part of...

  2. Mao Zedong writes the essay "A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire" to criticize cadres not creating rural revolutiona

    Mao Zedong writes the essay "A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire" to criticize cadres not creating rural revolutionary base areas

  3. Belgium Princess Marie-Jose marries Italian's crown prince Umberto

    Belgium Princess Marie-Jose marries Italian's crown prince Umberto

  4. Businesswoman Estee Mentzer (23) weds businessman Joseph Lauter (later Lauder)

    Businesswoman Estee Mentzer (23) weds businessman Joseph Lauter (later Lauder)

  5. Mahatma Gandhi begins his famous 200-mile (320 km) protest march against the widely hated British salt tax

    Mahatma Gandhi begins his famous 200-mile (320 km) protest march against the widely hated British salt tax

More from the 1920s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 14, 1929?
The Jewish Agency for Israel, formerly known as the Jewish Agency for Palestine, is the largest Jewish non-profit organization in the world. It was established in 1929 as the operative branch of the World Zionist Organization (WZO). As an organization, it encourages immigration of Jews in diaspora to the Land of Israel, and oversees their integration with the State of Israel.
Why is Jewish Agency for Palestine is formed significant?
The Jewish Agency for Israel, formerly known as the Jewish Agency for Palestine, is the largest Jewish non-profit organization in the world.

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