The Jewish Telegraphic Agency today continued to receive statements from American Jewish leaders and organizations mourning the death of President Weizmann of Israel.
The United Jewish Appeal issued the following statement: “A Prince in Israel has fallen. He was the greatest Jewish figure of modern times, a towering leader among men everywhere. His was a burning vision of an Israel reestablished and reborn and through a lifetime of inspired and unflagging leadership he caused his dream to be shared by once uncomprehending and reluctant multitudes and nations. The officers and members of the United Jewish Appeal, profoundly grieved by his passing, find consolation in the knowledge that Chaim Weizmann lived to see his dream for a free and independent Jewish State become a reality, and to serve as its beloved first President for four and one-half years. The monument which can best serve Chaim Weizmann’s memory is the renewed dedication to those efforts which help to advance Israel’s position as a secure and democratic State “The statement was signed by Edward M.M. Warburg, General Chairman United Jewish Appeal; Jonah B. Wise, William Rosenwald, Rudolf G. Sonneborn, National Chairmen; and Joseph J. Schwartz, Executive Chairman.
The Joint Distribution Committee, in a statement issued by Moses A. Leavitt, executive vice-chairman, said: “From the day of the founding of the Joint Distribution Committee in 1914 he was our close and faithful co-worker. Till the very end of his life, he took a deep personal interest in the work of Malben, the Joint Distribution Committee’s program on behalf of aged, ill and handicapped newcomers to the Jewish state. Not only the people of Israel, whom he served so well as their first President, but Jews throughout the world will mourn the passing of one whose life was so largely devoted to aiding the needy, the sick and the helpless.”
Henry Morgenthau, Jr., chairman of the board of governors of the State of Israel bond organization, said: “Dr. Weizmann was one of the most illustrious statement of the twentieth century.”
Dr. Pinkhos Churgin, president of the Mizrachi Organization of America, issued the following statement: “With the death of Dr. Weizmann passes one of the outstanding historical figures of our time, who became a world figure when his aid to the Allies during the first World War as a chemist immeasurably advanced the Allied cause. It was largely through Dr. Weizmann’s labors that the Balfour Declaration was issued which laid the foundation for the establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine. His memory will live forever in the hearts of the Jewish people.”
Dr. George S. Wise, president of the American Friends of the Hebrew University, stated: “The Hebrew University and its friends throughout the world mourn the passing of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who laid the foundation stones of the University more than three decades ago and who served as spiritual father of Israel’s university until his death. As an outstanding Jewish leader, he lived to see the fulfillment of his dream of a Jewish state. As one of the world’s outstanding scientists and thinkers, he, more than any other man, dedicated Israel to the love of learning. The Hebrew University and the entire cause of learning and science in Israel drew life and strength from Chaim Weizmann. Their work stands as a memorial to his greatness.
Jacob Blaustein, president of the American Jewish Committee, issued the following statement: “The death of Dr. Chaim Weizmann deprives the world of one of its most distinguished statesmen, scientists and humanitarians. It was his brilliant and tireless statesmanship which, in such great measure, made the State of Israel.
a reality. As President of the nation be fathered, it was molded into the pattern of democracy. The officers and members of the American Jewish Committee mourn the loss of Dr. Weizmann, America’s staunch and respected friend.”
Frank Goldman, president of B’nai B’rith declared: ” Dr. Chaim Weizman was one of the chief architects of Israel reborn. His life’s work made him the natural choice as Israel’s first President. His towering contributions to our people and to all mankind will forever constitute a bright page in human and Jewish history and his memory will be forever a blessing.”
Dr. William Haber, president of the American ORT Federation, declared: ” Chaim Weizmann was the master architect of Israel’s struggle for independence, humanist, scientist, statesman; he was one of the giants of our day, the symbol of a free and modern Israel as a cornerstone of democracy in the Middle East. He rallied to this ideal a host of diverse forces for unity and construction of the new nation. He encouraged the establishment of the ORT vocational network in Israel and followed its progress as a friend. Our task is to make secure and permanent the foundation fathered by Chaim Weizmann.”
Ben Touster, president of HIAS, paying tribute to Dr. Weismann, said: ” With the passing of Dr. Weizmann world Jewry has lost one of the greatest and revered Jews in the long history of its people. His indomitable lifelong battle for a Jewish homeland where his oppressed, persecuted, and scattered co-religionists could find the freedoms and dignity besetting pace-loving people was crowned in the autumn of his consecrated and illustrious career. Every homeless soul, every migrant, every persecuted and downtrodden Jew is joined by all freedom loving people of the world in mourning the passing of this august champion of basic human rights.”
Adolph Held, president of the Jewish Labor Committee, said in a message that ” the Jewish Labor Committee joins with the people of Israel in mourning the loss of the great President of Israel, Chaim Weizmann.” Statements were also received from the Synagogue Council of America, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Jewish War Veterans, Brith Abraham, United Zionists Revisionists of America, National Council of Jewish Women, and others.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
