Funeral Services for Judge Rothenberg to Be Held Today; Zionist Movement Mourns Him

Funeral services for Judge Morris Rothenberg, national chairman of the United Palestine Appeal and for many years world Zionist leader, will be held here tomorrow at the Free Synagogue, with Dr. Israel Goldstein officiating.

Judge Rothenberg died late last night at the Hotel Biltmore after reporting to the national executive committee of the Zionist Organization of America on the recently-concluded extraordinary economic conference in Jerusalem, which he attended. Judge Rothenberg was 65.

Prior to his election to the national chairmanship of the U.P.A., Judge Rothenberg served as president of the Jewish National Fund of America. He was also, for four terms, president of the Zionist Organization of America. A native of Estonia, he was brought to this country by his parents at the age of eight.

Messages of condolence issued today by Jewish leaders mourning Judge Rothenberg’s passing included a tribute by Henry Morgenthau Jr., general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, who said that “Morris Rothenberg died as a soldier in the struggle for Jewish freedom and independence.” He expressed the sense of shock and bereavement felt by all associated with the U.J.A., of which Judge Rothenberg was a national chairman.

JEWISH AGENCY, J.N.F., Z.O.A. MOURN PASSING OF JUDGE ROTHENBERG

Mrs. Rose Halprin, acting chairman of the American section of the Jewish Agency, said that “Judge Rothenberg was one of the great leaders of Zionism of our time. His sudden and tragic death in this time of crisis for Israel comes as a shattering blow. There have been few in the ranks of Zionism to equal his adroit and wise leadership.”

The J.N.F., in a statement issued by Dr. Harris J. Levine, president, and Mendel N. Fisher, executive director, said that in Judge Rothenberg’s passing, Israel as well as American Jewry “suffered a heavy blow.” The statement noted that “it was he, together with Louis Marshall, who prepared the field for formation of the Jewish Agency.” During the six years he was president of the J.N.F., the statement added, the “Fund soared to unprecedented heights of both prestige and income.”

Benjamin G. Browdy, president of the Zionist Organization of America, said the “Zionist movement and the Jewish people have lost one of their foremost leaders and guiding spirits. Always in the forefront of every national endeavor dedicated to the upbuilding of Israel, Judge Rothenberg was a mighty pillar of strength and encouragement to Zion in its every hour of need,” he added.

Dr. Israel Goldstein, chairman of the World Confederation of General Zionists, said the Zionist movement and the Jewish people “have lost a wise and faithful leader with the sudden passing of Judge Rothenberg. He gave 40 years of consecrated service to the cause of Zionism and held many important posts in the movement. He was one of the first to win non-Zionists to the cause of the Jewish National Home. His wise counsel, balanced judgment and eloquent advocacy will be sorely missed in our ranks.”

Edward M.M. Warburg, chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, said: “The dignity and strength of Morris Rothenberg, his gift of organization, his unflagging interest in the problem of distressed and suffering humanity, constitute an unforgettable record. Deeply moved by the tragedy that befell millions of Jews throughout the world during World War I and again during the Hitler period, he gave of himself unstintingly toward their relief and rehabilitation and to the cause of finding for them a haven and a refuge.”