Zionism Lost a Great Man of This Generation, Says Nahum Goldmann

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency, today issued a statement mourning the death of M. M. Ussishkin with whom he closely collaborated for many years. The statement reads: “With a profound feeling of sorrow I learned about the unexpected death of Ussishkin. Bound to him by many years of personal friendship and close collaboration I feel that Zionism and the Jewish people have lost one of the very few of its really great men of this generation. I had the special privilege of close collaboration with him during the last two Zionist Congresses. In presiding then I learned to admire not only the fairness of his character and his unsurpassed devotion to the cause but at the same time the deep objectivity of his mind and his sense of justice also to his political opponents. In a time of revolutionary changes and chaotic conditions he was more than ever necessary to our people as a pillar of strength and as a symbol of unbroken faith and courage. His loss is irreparable. Nobody can replace him and occupy this unique position he held in the life of our people.”

Mendel N. Fisher, executive director of the Jewish National Fund of America, in a telegram from Denver where he is now visiting in behalf of the JNF campaign, said, “Ussishkin’s death is a very great blow. He was the strongest Zionist leader since Herzkand he leaves a void that will not be refilled for generations. Our chieftain carried on to the end. He was great in mind and heart. Without his unbreakable will the Kayemeth would not have achieved its place in the Zionist movement. The dunams redeemed, including Emek, will forever live as a monument to his imperishable memory. He earned immortality. All generations will honor him.