Dr. Emanuel Libman was honored on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday Saturday night at a testimonial dinner tendered to him by more than 600 of his friends, pupils and colleagues, at the Waldorf-Astoria.
A set of “Libman Anniversary Volumes,” consisting of three volumes of original articles written specially for this occasion by 147 medical men and scientists in all parts of the world were presented to him by Dr. Albert A. Epstein who paid tribute to Dr. Libman as a “great teacher and humanitarian.” Albert Einstein is among the contributors to the volumes.
Dr. Israel Strauss who presided at the dinner, read a letter from Albert Einstein in which he wrote: “This occasion is a most pleasant proof that Libman’s activities as a scholar and a man are recognized according to his merits. I have known only a few men who have encouraged younger talents with so much enthusiasm and understanding. Our Jewish generation can not be grateful enough for his support of medicine in Palestine.” More than 200 telegrams, letters and cablegrams were received.
Dr. Alexis Carrel of the Rockefeller Institute, in speaking of Dr. Libman’s achievements, said: “How strangely this strong lone figure resembles other figures whose majestic shadows we see in the remoteness of the ages! Those inspired men whom the people of Jehovah have constantly produced since the time of Samuel. Still in our days, prophets are born in Israel. But they do not preach to the Twelve Tribes only. They lead the human soul to the heights of mysticism. They describe the cosmic universe in mathematical fictions as splendid as the Biblical poems. They bring to men more justice, knowledge and health. They are called Bergson, Einstein, Cardoza, Libman. . .”
Dr. Nathan Ratnoff, Medical Director of Beth Israel Hospital and Chairman of the American Jewish Physicians Committee, told of the contributions of Dr. Libman as a member of the Board of Governors and the Academic Council of the Hebrew University.
Eugene Meyer, Governor of the Federal Reserve Board, described Dr. Libman as one who “has meant much to many—man, friend, physician and scientist.” George Blumenthal, President of Mount Sinai Hospital, referred to him as a “staunch friend of the younger generation of doctors.”
Dr. William H. Welch, the dean of American Medicine, commenting on the development of Mount Sinai Hospital, said that the fact that Dr. Libman had been associated with the hospital for more than twenty-five years was the main factor in the growth of that institution as a great center of research.
Sponsors of the event were Leo S. Bing, George Blumenthal, Irving Blumenthal, Joseph Callman, Alfred Cook, Hon. William N. Cohen, Henry Creange, Joseph F. Cullman, Sr., Joseph F. Cullman, Jr., Henry Dazian, Charles S. Erlanger, Philip Goodhart, Dr. S. Gregory, Henry Ittleson, Mrs. Isaac Kubie, Lucius N. Littauer, Arthur Lorsch, James Marshall, Eugene Meyer, Dr. A. S. Rosenbach, Moritz Rosenthal, Edwin S. Steinam, Samuel S. Steiner, M. J. Stroock and Charles A. Wimpfheimer.
Among the guests were Felix M. Warburg, Jewish philanthropist ; Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, Rabbi Nathan Krass, Dr. Simon Flexner, director of the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research ; Dr. Ephraim Bluestone and Dr. S. S. Goldwater.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
