The establishment of a $100,000 “Eleanor Roosevelt Chair in Humanities” at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was announced here today at a luncheon honoring Mrs. Roosevelt. The announcement was made as Mrs. Roosevelt received a “Woman of the Year” citation at the sixth annual luncheon of the Women’s Division of the American Friends of the University. Proceeds of the luncheon will go towards the fund for the chair.
Mrs. Roosevelt’s citation, an illuminated scroll flown here from Israel for the occasion, was presented to her inserted in a limited edition copy of the Book of Ruth illustrated by the late Arthur Syzk. At the same time, she was given a certificate testifying to her election as an honorary fellow or the Hebrew University. The presentation was made by Dr. Israel S. Wechsler, honorary president of the Friends of the University.
The “Woman of the Year Award” recognized Mrs. Roosevelt’s “great contribution to the betterment of mankind symbolized by her tireless espousal of the cause of the underprivileged. ” The honorary fellowship certificate noted that Mrs. Roosevelt’s “idealism is practical, being based in specific causes and institutions, “and underlined her interest in the University and in Israel’s development.
Sir Leslie Munro, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States and former president of the United Nations General Assembly, told the 700 guests at the luncheon that the independent survival of Jordan is essential to the stability of the Middle East. The diplomat, who was the main speaker at the function, warned that the political disappearance of Jordan would “precipitate a crisis affecting the half million Arab refugees now resident in that country and endanger peaceful relations between Israel and her neighbors.” He urged an intense international effort to help solve the basic problems of the Middle East, “an endeavor which could lead to a final settlement between Israel and the Arabs.”
Other speakers included Daniel G. Ross, president of the Friends, Mrs. Louis S. Gimbel, chairman of the Women’s Division, and Mrs. Edward R. Murrow.
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.
