His loss is a severe blow to our people.”
Emanuel Neumann, president for America of the Jewish National Fund, said, “The death of Lord Melchett caps the climax of a year of misfortune. Not only was he an ardent Zionist and a tower of strength to the Zionist cause in a financial, political, and in every other way, but he was remarkable for his deep and understanding faith of the fundamentals of the Zionist movement. During the recent trying times he stood for an uncompromising insistence upon the legal and political rights of Zionism. He was one of the most generous supporters of the Jewish National Fund, and was also interested in various economic projects in Palestine. He was a great world personality. Hiss passing will be deeply felt by all of us.”
Dr. Cyrus Adler, joint chairman of the council of the Jewish Agency of which Lord Melchett was chairman, said, “The death of Lord Melchett is a great loss to the cause of the upbuilding of Palestine. Among his large financial and political obligations in England, he had taken Palestine as a very personal matter. He purchased ground there and built a home there, and everything connected with the Jewish National Home had his earnest help and sympathy.”
USSISHKIN DEPLORES DEATH
Menachem Ussishkin, president of the Jewish National Fund, now in America to aid the Fund campaign, said, “The death of Lord Melchett is another of the tragedies that have overwehlmed us lately following the passing of the great Balfour, of Marshall and others.
“I know of his attitude to the upbuilding of our country from his first acquaintance with it and of his deep faith in a large Eretz Israel, Jewish in every respect. As one who had the opportunity of appreciating his attachment to Eretz Israel such as few had, I deplore the great loss which we have suffered.”
Judge Julian W. Mack, honorary chairman of the Zionist Organization of America, on vacation in Cincinnati, wired the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “The reestablishment of the Jewish National Home in Palestine calls not only for pioneers but for devoted Zionists and non-Zionists ready to give time and work, and to invest capital in agricultural and industrial undertakings in Palestine, Lord Melchett evidenced his Zionism by generous contributions, large investments and splendid cooperation. In the solution of the many difficult problems the loss of his counsel and leadership will be deeply deplored, especially at this critical time by his fellow workers in the Jewish Agency and the Zionist Organization.”
In accordance with Jewish custom, a watch was kept over the body of Lord Melchett as it awaited burial. Dr. Chaim Weizmann and Rabbi M. L. Perlzweid were the first watchers. Rabbi J. K. Goldbloom and Paul Goodman were the second watchers, and they were relieved by Levy Lawrence and R. B. Solomon.
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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.
