Leaders of Jewish organizations, as well as leading non-Jewish personalities, including Mayor Robert F.Wagner of New York, today mourned the death of Louis Lipsky, while messages of condolence were arriving from various Jewish groups throughout the country to central Zionist bodies here.
Mayor Wagner said in his message: “The loss of Louis Lipsky saddened all New York. His dynamic leadership of the Zionist movement will remain as a lasting tribute to his “memory. “
Moshe Sharett, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, who is now in New York, said: “Venerable dean of American Zionism, a man of rare nobility of character and political courage, ranking supreme in his intellectual and moral stature–the disappearance of a figure like Louis Lipsky makes one look around to see whether an even remotely approximative succession of that high tradition is in sight. “
Israel Ambassador Avraham Harman, in a message from Washington, stated: “The passing of Louis Lipsky is a great loss. His life spanned the decisive struggle for freedom and dignity for the Jewish people. His leadership in that struggle was vital and indispensable. We in Israel are plunged into mourning. Our history will treasure his memory and keep it ever fresh. “
Former Senator Herbert H. Lehman made the following statement: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of my old friend, Louis Lipsky. He was one of the earliest and most militant American Zionists, and a dedicated fighter for the Statehood of Israel. His energy and indomitable courage knew no bounds. The Jewish community and Israel owe him a great debt of gratitude. I am confident that he will be long remembered and admired. “
LIPSKY’S DEVOTION TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND ZIONISM CITED
The American Zionist Council, central iZionist body, of which Mr. Lipsky was honorary chairman and its first chairman after the establishment of Israel, said in a statement issued by Rabbi Irving Miller, chairman, and Rabbi Jerome Unger, executive director: “A gifted writer and a spokesman for American Judaism, Louis Lipsky was its brilliant leader and wise in the fullness of age. His death is mourned by the Jewish people everywhere, even as his life is praised for blessing. “
Dr. Emanuel Neumann, chairman of the American Section of the Jewish Agency, stated: “Zionists of all groups and shades of opinion in America and throughout the world will mourn the death of Louis Lipsky for many years. He was the dean of American Zionism and one of its founding fathers and one of its most distinguished and influential leaders. For long decades, his intellectual force and vivid personality dominated the American Zionist scene, leaving an indelible imprint on the life of the Jewish community. His name will be enshrined in Jewish history as one of the immortals of our movement. “
Dr. Max Nussbaum, president of the Zionist Organization of America, said: “Mr. Lipsky was one of the foremost and unique Zionist theoreticians, whose thinking and writings chartered for many years the course of American Zionism and made revolutionary impact on the entire world Zionist movement. His achievements for Zionism and the welfare of the Jewish people for the past seven decades will be written in golden letters across the pages of Jewish history. ” Mr. Lipsky served as president of the ZOA for 10 years from 1921 to 1930, the longest term occupied by any president of the organization.
Mrs. Siegfried Kramarsky, national president of Hadassah, made the following statement: “As a fearless fighter, thinker and leader, Louis Lipsky wrote a meaningful page in the history of the Jewish people. We shall cherish his memory always. For Louis Lipsky’s life will ever serve as an inspiration to us and to generations to come who seek to advance the ideals of creative Jewish living. “
UNITED JEWISH APPEAL STRESSES HIS COUNSEL AND AID
Joseph Meyerhoff, general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, said: “The UJA notes with sorrow the sudden passing of Louis Lipsky. He will be remembered for a lifetime of consecrated service to the Jewish people. We, of the UJA, cherish his past association with us as a national officer, whose counsel and aid were sources of strength as we carried on our tasks. “
Rabbi Jaochim Prinz, president of the American Jewish Congress, stated: “In common with all of American Jewry, we of the American Jewish Congress feel a keen sense of bereavement in the passing of Louis Lipsky. He was one of the architects of the Congress movement nearly a half century ago, and for many years our organization enjoyed the singular benefit of his inspiring leadership.”
Statements stressing Mr. Lipsky’s service to the Jewish people and to the Zionist movement were issued also by the Jewish National Fund of America; the national executive committee of the Farband-Labor Zionist Order; the Bnai Zion, fraternal Zionist organization and other groups.
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.
