Flags on all buildings housing Jewish institutions flew at half-mast today as the Palestine Jewish community mourned the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Special prayers in all synagogues in palestine were ordered by the Chief Rabbinate.
The Jewish National Council, immediately upon receipt of the news of Mrs. Roosevelt’s death, cabled President Truman as follows; “The entire Jewish community of palestine is shocked at the tragedy which has befallen the American nation and fighting humanity in the death of President Roosevelt, who guided the Allied ship to the port of Victory. We mourn the sudden death of a leader of humanity and a great friend of the Jewish people.”
In a cable to Mrs. Roosevelt, the Council said, “Jewish Jerusalem is filled with deep mourning at the tragic nes of your husband’s death. Heartfelt condolences from Zion.” Isaac Ben-Zvi, president of the Council, accompanied by Bernard Joseph, logal adviser of the Jewish Agency and the president of the Jerusalem Jewish community council, called on U.S. Consul-General Lowell C. Pinkerton to whom they conveyed their condolences.
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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.