(Jewish Daily Bulletin)
The first public appearance of Dr. Stephen S. Wise following the refusal of the United Palestine Appeal to accept his resignation as chairman of the $5,000,000 campaign was greeted with cheers and applause and resulted in the raising of $100,000 at the United Palestine Appeal banquet which took place here yesterday at the Symphony Hall.
Governor Alvin T. Fuller, Mayor Malcolm E. Nichols, Nahum Sokolow and Dr. Wise were the speakers at the banquet. Albert Hurwitz presided.
Governor Fuller, honorary chairman of the Non-Sectarian Committee for Helping Palestine greeted the assembly in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and donated $1,000 toward the United Palestine Appeal. Max Shoolman donated $15,000. Mayor Malcolm Nichols promised support in the name of the city of Boston.
Judge David A. Lourie, in a stirring address, declared: “American Jews will not fail. It is their mission, their covenant with the Almighty.”
Dr. Wise was greeted by an extraordinary ovation as an expression of confidence. Referring to the controversy, he said: “My sermon was the best misunderstood of years, but now it is over and buried. It was a family quarrel. To be great is to be misunderstood, but I have been misunderstood without approximating greatness.” Referring to the Cleveland split in the Zionist Organization in 1921, he said: “I stayed out as long as I could; no more Cleveland for me.”
Dr. Wise explained the meaning of the campaign. “I once feared that colonization elsewhere endangered Palestine. I no longer think so. Under the banner of Zionism, we stand erect like new men demanding new Jewish life on Jewish soil.”
Dr. Wise called Theodore Herzl the greatest Jew since Maimonides.
“We are not asking for charity, but for a Jewish homeland and for the future of Jewish faith and people.”
Nahum Sokolow was received with thunderous applause. He declared he is never disappointed in the Jewish people for he believes in them. Otherwise, he could never have done his work. “I believe in the upbuilding of Palestine. It is part and parcel of my soul.” Mr. Sokolow pointed out the difference between the old and new settlements in Palestine. “The old went there to die. Now, the young go there to live.”
Mr. Sokolow eulogized the sacrifices of the Bilus, the first Zionist pioneers, forty years ago and the self-denial of the Chalutzim of today. “Thousands more are ready to go, but there are not enough funds. Jewry of Eastern Europe is in ruins. They must go to Palestine and American Jews must provide the means for them to go.”
He recalled the golden ero of the Jews in Spain, yet all has vanished, he declared. “Only in Palestine can the Jews build permanently. The Bible is our ancient contribution, but Palestine today becomes a living Bible.” He praised the British administration in Palestine as good and righteous and expressed the belief that the Hebrew University will become the center for great scholars. Mr. Sokolow declared he is proud he lives to see the fulfillment of the dreams of his youth. “I salute the noble Christians who have helped the Jews to reclaim the land. Now, there is a real covenant between Jews and Christians. The Christians understand the Jews as Zionists. The Jews will affirm their faith by the achievement of Palestine and the Hebrew revival,” he declared.
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