Private Services Held for Kirstein; Boston Public Libraies Close During Funeral

Private services marked the funeral of Louis E. Kirstein here today, while all libraries of the City of Boston, including the Kirstein Library at City Hall, were closed between three and four this afternoon as an expression of mourning for the dead Jewish leader who was president of the board of the Boston Public Library.

The entire Boston press carried pages of tributes to Mr. Kirstein emphasizing the vital role he played in the community life of the city, especially in the organization and development of the Greater Boston Community Fund, and the United War Fund. Many condolences were received today by the family, including many from leaders of Jewish organizations throughout the country.

William Rosenwald, president of the National Refugee Service, of which Mr. Kirstein had been a board member since its inception, in a message said: “Louis E. Kirstein was one of America’s outstanding humanitarians, who gave unstintingly of himself to aid others regardless of race or creed. His was a rare spirit, never tiring in the cause of humanity. Not only we who were associated with him in the work of the National Refugee Service, but everyone with whom he came in contact will miss his wise and understanding counsel and energetic leadership. His death is a loss the Jewish community can ill afford at this time.”

Judge Louis E. Levinthal, president of the Zionist Organization of America, stated: “The death of Louis E. Kirstein today is a grievous loss to the entire Jewish people and to the cause of the Jewish homeland in Palestine in which he was vitally interested. Mr. Kirstein was one of the original incorporators of the Zionist Organization of America and for many years served on its executive committee, remaining a member of the organization until his death. He was a close associate of the late Justice Brandeis and shared many views of the latter with regard to Palestine and Jewish life. His passing leaves a gap in the ranks of American Jewish leadership which it is becoming increasingly difficult to fill. He was of the school of Felix Warburg and Louis Marshall, champions of their people and friends of Zionism, though perhaps closer to the Zionist movement than either of two.”