Between the Lines

With the death of Shmarya Levin, the Zionist movement has lost one of its most brilliant leaders. Keen-witted, clever, possessing a fine sense of humor, Dr. Levin won over not only Jews but many non-Jews as well, as friends of the Zionist movement.

Though inactive of late because of his state of health, Shmarya Levin was the only Jew in Palestine who could exercise influence upon Sir Arthur Wauchope, the Palestine High Commissioner, not as a politician but as a personal friend. The soft spot which Sir Arthur Wauchope had in his heart for Dr. Levin was displayed by the Commissioner openly on numerous occasions.

ADMIRED BY HIGH COMMISSIONER

Dr. Levin, whose great weakness was chess, was the chess partner of the Commissioner. It was during the many chess games in the Government House that Sir Arthur learned to admire Dr. Levin for his worldliness, his healthy humor, his fine logic and his great love for Palestine.

Not always did Shmarya Levin approve of the line pursued by certain Zionist leaders. Many a time he was not only critical but even cynical in his observations. His criticism was, however, well intentioned. He wanted to see the Zionist movement strong, united and above all, clean.

AN INSTITUTION IN HIMSELF

Although a veteran in the Zionist movement and one of ablest Zionist orators. Dr. Levin was not admitted into the front ranks of Zionist leadership in recent years. As a good Zionist, however, he never complained. With a cynical smile he spoke from time to time of the “young leaders” and admitted that it was only natural for the old guard of the Zionist movement to be pushed out by the younger generation.

Although he no longer participated actively in Zionist leadership, Dr. Levin remained nevertheless a central figure in the Zionist movement. He was an institution in himself. Those who knew him intimately could not help admitting that no other figure in Zionist ranks could match him in the qualities which he possessed and which he utilized fully for the benefit of the Zionist cause.

BUILDER OF AMERICAN ZIONISM

In America, the name of Shmarya Levin will be honored as among those who imbued American Jewry with the spirit of Zionism. It was Shmarya Levin who actually built up the Zionist Organization in America during the war. It was he who organized it. It was he who cemented it.

American Zionism owes a debt to Shmarya Levin more than to any other Zionist leader. With his brilliant gift of oratory, he was able to inspire thousands of Jews in America with an understanding of the spiritual value of Zionism. With his charming personality, he was able to win for Zionism many American Jews who had always considered the upbuilding of Palestine nothing bt a dream.

A MANY-SIDED PERSON

Dr. Levin was not only a brilliant orator, a scholar, a political leader, but also a gifted writer. His autobiography in two volumes which has been translated into English under the titles “Childhood in Exile” and Youth in Revolt,” have been compared by American critics to the monumental autobiographies of Tolstoy and Gorki, in their vividness or portrayal and their literary charm.

A many-sided personality, Shmarya Levin was one of the most courageous leaders of Jewry. As a preacher in Grodno, an editor in Wilno, a member of the first Russian Parliament under the Czar, Dr. Levin fought valiantly for the Jewish cause wherever such a fight was called for. It was because he lent his signature to the famous Viborg appeal against the Russian Czar that he was compelled to leave Russia and go into exile, despite the fact that he was a member of the Duma, the Russian Parliament.

A MOTIVE POWER IN JEWRY

The Zionist movement, however, only benefited by the fact that Dr. Levin was forced to leave his native land. As a political exile in Germany, Levin built the Zionist movement there. Proceeding later to the United States, he was the motive power in developing the Zionist Organization in America. After the death of Leo Motzkin and Chaim Nachman Bialik, the death of Shmarya Levin is a great loss not only to Zionism, but to Jewry. There are not many Shmarya Levins left in world Jewry today.