Memorial Tribute to Neumann

A memorial tribute to Dr. Emanuel Neumann, the veteran Zionist leader who died in Tel Aviv Sunday at the age of 87, was held at the headquarters of the World Zionist Organization here yesterday. The gathering was sponsored by the WZO-American Section, whose chairman, Charlotte Jacobson, presided, and co-sponsored by the WZO Executive and the Zionist Organization of America of which Neumann served twice as president.

Mrs. Jacobson emphasized Neumann’s accomplishments as a scholar, author, educator and mentor of Jewish youth, noting that he founded Young Judea, and was the founder as well of the Theodor Herzl Foundation, the Herzl Press and Midstream magazine. “By these accomplishments, Dr. Neumann became the Zionist patron of Jewish intellect, scholarship, literature and creative cultural expression, ” she said.

Jacques Torczyner, a member of the WZO Executive and president of the World Union of General Zionists, observed that “Emanuel Neumann was among those remarkably talented leaders of the Zionist movement who would have achieved success in whatever they would have undertaken — as professors, lawyers, etc. But he was one of those whose brilliant organizational and administrative skill and ability as a creative thinker and advocate were all committed to the cause of Zionism for which he sacrificed his entire life.”

Ivan Novick, president of the ZOA, extolled Neumann as a “unique leader searching for truth and realism. He played a major role in every aspect of Zionist life and he left an indelible mark on the American and World Zionist movement,” Novick said.

Harold Manson, director of the office of academic affairs at the American Friends of Hebrew University, said Neumann’s “intellect was joined to a passionate faith in the redemptive role of Zionism. That faith was unshakeable.” Isador Hamlin, executive vice chairman of the WZO-American Section. termed Neumann “an activist par excellence” who was a brilliant exponent of the Zionist position.

(Neumann was buried at Kfor Shemaryahu in Israel Monday. Leon Dulzin, chairman of the WZO and Jewish Agency Executives, said the Zionist movement has last one of its greatest leaders. The funeral services were also attended by Deputy Premier Simcha Ehrlich, Energy Minister Yitzhak Modai, former Foreign Minister Abba Eban and other Knesset members and government officials.)