ieiTus Touched Genius*
Weizmann, B Hour Combine
Efforts for Jewish State
•
I6-THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, July 23, 1948
ple of the Book; the land must be
the land of the Book. There was
something in Palestine, he says,
barren though it is, desert though
it is, that releases it the Jewish
people — as no other place on
earth can do — extraordinary
powers, enthusiasms, devotion.
They could work miracles there.
But Uganda . . .
"If Moses had returned to life
and heard Jews accept Uganda,
he would have broken the Tab-
lets of the Law a second time,"
Weizmann said. "The Jewish peo-
ple will never produce either the
money or the energy to build up
a wasteland unless that waste-
land is Palestine."
Balfour, courteous and imper-
turbable, hears him out. There
is a moment of silence. With a
sinking feeling of the heart,
Weizmann rises. But Balfour
gently waves his hand.
"Please stay, Dr. Weizmann
Tell me more about this move-
ment of yours."
Weizmann resumes his seat.
On impulse he says:
"Mr. Balfour, you speak of
Uganda. If you were offered
Paris instead of London, would
you take it? Would you take
Paris instead of London?"
Balfour raises his eyebrows.
"But, Dr. Weizmann, London
is our own."
"Yes," says Weizmann. "But
Jerusalem was our own when
London was a marsh!"
Balfour taps his chin thought-
fully, and stares at him.
"Dr. Weizmann, are' there many
Jews who think as• you do?"
"The streets of Pinsk are pav-
ed with them,' sir," returns Weiz-
mann.
"Curious," says Balfour. "The
Jews I meet are quite different."
Weizmann smiles, the proud
and bitter smile of a Jew from
Pinsk.
"Mr. Balfour," he says, "you
meet the wrong kind of Jews."
The 15 minutes stretch to . an
hour and a quarter. Time and
again secretaries look in, but
Balfour waves them away, and
his eyes on Weizmann, keeps
saying:
"Tell me more, Dr. Weizmann,
I am interested."
Someone has described that
first encounter in memorable
words:
"Genius touched genius when
Balfour and Weizmann met, and-
the light that was engendered
was to illumine the entire Jew-
ish world."
Women as Community Leaders
Outline of Achievements
Of Federation's Division
Superlatives have been the key methods for meeting them.
Herzl dies the following year,
(Continued from Page 1)
words all during the short but
In their year-round educational
is on the brink of striking discov- but the argument wages back
active history of the Women's program, the work of the Fed-
eries, among them his subtle fer- and forth, and in • 1905, with
Division of the Jewish Welfare eration and Community Chest
mentation processes which enable Weizmann leading the opposition,
Federation, because it is difficult agencies has been reviewed at
him, years later, to work magic the Zionist Congress of that year
to describe a group otherwise four large general meetings at-
on the common chestnut and proL- by a large majority, turns down
that has begun with outstanding tended by a total of 1,500 women.
dure acetone, a basic ingredient the Uganda proposal.
l.
accomplishments and somehow
of gunpowder, helping Britain
Then, in 1906, the chemistry
In fund-raising, the Women's
managed to improve upon them Division has kept pace steadily
stave off defeat in her darkest of events—the fact that Weiz-
since.
hour of World War I.
mann was living in Manchester,
with the men's campaign—rais-
Beginning its formal existence ing $435,000 in 1947 and $627,168
His labors in this field lead into that he had led the fight against
at an organizational meeting on in 1948, with 10,760 contributing
the realm of pure wonder—as, for ItJ ganda, that Lord Arthur James
Feb. 12, 1946, the Division's first members the former year and
example, the possible transfor- Balfour, former Prime Minister
mation of industrial waste prod- of Britain, was running for Par-
activity was the Allied Jewish 3,000 added ' to that total this
ucts into cheap, nourishing food liament from Manchester — all
Campaign, at that time largest year.
for starving millions, the use of these create a single, great mo-
Jewish drive ever held here.
As a result of the Division's
grains and cereals to produce ment in history.
Raising $303,000 and enlisting program, Jewish women have
aviation fuel, synthetic rubber;
7,433 members through their con- served in greater number on
For Balfour meets Weizmann
plastics, artificial textiles and
tribution to the Campaign, the budgeting committees, on the
and the first link in the long
other equally incredible products.
Division embarked on an inspir- Federation Board of Governors,
chain of circumstances leading,
* *
ing series of educational pro- and the present Division presi-
11 years later, to the Balfour
In 1903 he and his wife move
grams, Community Chest and Al- dent, Mrs. Max R. Frank, is a
. Magna
to Manchester, England, where he Declaration, the great
lied Jewish Campaign efforts. member of the Federation exec-
Charta of modern Jewish his-
accepts a post as Reader in Bio-
These first projects were carried utive committee.
logical Chemistry at the Univer- tory—is forged.
out under the leadership of the
Mrs. Ehrlich's Statement
sity of Manchester. His students Fateful Meeting With Balfour
first lady of Detroit Jewish wo-
The
story
of
their
meeting
is
While the record. of the Di-
speak of him with respect.
manhood. Mrs. Joseph H. Ehr-
"Chemistry as taught to me be- brief.
lich, who, after serving two terms vision is its own best advocate
Balfour comes to Manchester
fore has been a dull procession of
as Division president, was named for the existence of a Women's
formulas," one writes. "But as for a few hours. In the course of
lifetime
honorary Board mem- Division of the Jewish Welfare
Federation, Mrs. Ehrlich, on re-
. Professor Weizmann teaches it, it his conversation with one of his
ber
by
her
grateful associates.
tiring as first president, expressed
becomes a key, a philosophy, an local' constituents, a Zionist
There
were
women's
phases
of
the feelings of Detroit Jewish
opening out of avenues into life. named Charles Dreyfuss, he asks:
campaigns from 1939. to 1942. women about • their Division—as
"Why did the Jews turn down.
The facts are fused by imagina-
However, the Division began in well as their feeling of dedication.
Uganda? I don't understand it.
tion into illumination."
1946 for the first time to function to the primary causes of Jewish
Here
we
gave
them
a
jewel
and
Wife Opens Her Own Clinic
on a year-round basis.
they refuse."
life. She states:
Two sons, Michael and Benja-
The .founding members of the
Dreyfuss confesses.he is not the
"Why a Women's Division?
min, are born. Prof. Weizmann's man to explain the matter, but
Division, including women corn- The answer to the above ques-
academic stipend is not large; Dr. adds:
inunal leaders from every group tion—the accomplishment of the
Vera Weizmann opens her own
and every organization in the two years of Women's Welfare
"There is a young Russian
medical clinic for children. .
Detroit Jewish community, set Federation, infinitesimal though
chemist here who knows all
Her husband shuttles between about it. His name is Weizmann.
forth seven aims:
the results were as compared to
his laboratory and his Zionist Will you talk to him if I send
1. To stimulate wider interest. the potential, to what we hope
. meetings. He writes a pamphlet him up?"
and praY these Jewish women of
in the Jewish Welfare Fed-
calling for - the 'erection Qf a - He-
Balfour, to "break the monot-
eration and the agencies and Detroit will eventually do and
brew University on Mt. Scopus, ony" of innumerable political
be. Two generationS sitting down
causes which rely on it for
near Jerusalem, where in 70 A.D. conferences, agrees.
together in sincerity and integ-
support.
the legions of Titus assembled for
Dreyfuss seeks out Weizmann
rity, just women, not represent-
2. To participate in fund rais-
their descent upon the Holy City
in his laboratory.
ing groups 'or shades of opinion,
ing.
and the destruction of the Tem-
"Dr. Weizmann, you most see
but just Jewish women concerned
3. To assist in budgeting.
ple. On the scene of that ancient
this man," he argues. "You must
with their responsibilities to the
4: To develop a year-round
violence, Weizmann envisages a
talk to him."
whole of life, not one segment,
educational program cover-
- great institution of higher learn-
They take Weizmann, whose
ing local, national and over- to the whole Jewish problem for
ing.
survival in all its aspects ; local,
seas organizations included
"It will be a citadel of Jewish English is still thick with a Rus-
sian accent, up the stairs of a
civic, national, the world over;
in the Allied Jewish Cam-
spirit," he says.
just Jewish women who want to
paign.
And that becomes part of his little old-fashioned hotel, through
a long corridor crowded with
take their place' as citizens, as
5. To determine the city-wide
dream.
people impatient to see the great
Americans, as Jews, women who
* * *
activities which may best
be served by the interest have answered when we have
In Zionism, recognized as a British statesman, and usher him
called, who have come willingly
and activities of the wo-
young man of promise, he labors into Balfour's presence.
and graciously, to hearken and
men's group of the Federa-
Balfour sits calmly in a deep
together with Theodor Herzl,
to do; women who have made
tion.
president of the World Zionist chair, his long legs outstretched
6. To have representation on sacrifices, outside of their group
Organization. Herzl is the bril- before him. He is a -man of
affiliations, of their time and
the Federation Board and
liant Viennese journist who sev- serenity and his face has the
their strength and their means,
to cooperate with the Men's
eral years before burst upon the spiritual quality of an Old Testa-
because the overall picture be-
Service Groups in matters
world scene with a challenging, ment phophet.
gan, in hope to stand out crystal
of common concern.
prophetic book, "The Jewish-
"I will give you 15 minutes,
clear, and the part assumed its
'7. To give women leaders and
State," the first attempt to solve Dr. Weizmann," he begins courte-
(Copyright, 1948, New York Journal-
rightful proportion in the light
workers their proper share
the Jewish problem along inter- ously. "Tell me, why are some Amelican. All Rights Reserved. Dis-
tributed by King Features Syndicate).
of the whole.
of representation and re-
national lines.
of you Zionists so violently op.-
(Next week: Weizmann
sponsibility in the Federa-
"Many, many women have
Herzl, a man of extraordinary posed to Uganda. The Govern- grows in stature in England;
tion.
vision, had called the first World ment • is really anxious to do he meets and converts to Zion-
done valiantly and many, many
Zionist Congress together in Ba- something to relieve the misery.
The best proof of . the success more will, we know, add their
ism the influential men of his
sle, Switzerland, in 1897, and had of the Jews. I think the question
strength to ours in these critical
day; World War I; the Allies of the Division is to be found
singlehandedly begun negotia- calls for practical measures. Why
in the thoroughness with which days, so that the Jewish woman
and
the
Middle
East;
the
Bal-
tions with the crowned heads of not Uganda?"
these aims were fulfilled. Through forever in Detroit shall be
four Declaration.)
Europe and Asia for a territory
two series of Federation Forums pillar of strength and a Rock of
Weizmann, with all the persua-
upon which to build this state.
—featuring
talks and discussions Gibraltar, so that when the call
sive eloquence at his command,
Customs Seizes Two Planes
led by professional personnel of comes, a dedicated, consecrated,
Weizmann, to whom practical speaks.
MILLVILLE, N. J., (JTA) — local Jewish social service agen- intelligent, organized Jewish wo-
colonization work and Hebrew `Must Be Only Palestine'
"There is nothing in Uganda to Two Constellation transport cies—the Women's Division has manhood shall be ready to an-
cultural development in Pales-
tine seems as important as politi- strike fire in the Jews," he says. planes were seized by U. S. cus- brought to its members the story swer—Here we are. We shall go
cal negotiation, becomes a rne:m•- "It must be Palestine, and only toms officials because it was be- of the agencies and has given running to meet the challenge
lieved that they were en route them an opportunity to consider and in the doing we shall re-
ber of the "loyal opposition." He Palestine."
still unmet community needs and joice."
The Jewish people are the Peo- to Israel.
is ten years younger than Herzl.
One must seek diplomatic recbg-
NORMAN and SOL NODEL!
• nition, he thinks, but diplomacy
ertt . by RHODA B. SIMON
_
LIVES OF, OUR TIMES
COLONEL DAVID MARCUS
is not enough. The Jewish people
must work in Palestine itself,
AFTER GRADUATION, HE SERVED 2 YEARS AS
must build the land and make it
INFANTRY SECOND LIEUTENANT. DECIDING UPON
A MAN WHO FOUGHT FOR
• fruitful; then ultimately, diplo-
A LAW CAREER, HE ENTERED ST. LAWRENCE
DEMOCRACY AND SACRIFICEC
matic recognition would co:me.
UNIVERSITY WHERE HE RECEIVED AN LL.B.
HIS LIFE THAT THE WORLD'S
This issue crystallized in 1903,
„AND DOCTOR OF JURISPRUDENCE DEGREES.
YOUNGEST DEMOCRACY, THE
the year the Weizmanns moved
STATE OF ISRAEL, MIGHT
LIVE . THIS IS THE STORY
to Man chester. Frightful po-
•
OF - -
groms broke out in Russia; Jews
were massacred in the streets.
COL °NI.
Herzl, who had had little success
MS Su CESS AS A LAWYER RESULTED IN HIS APPOINT-
with the Kaiser in Berlin and the
MOUE,
MENT AS ASST. U.S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE
Sultan in Constantinople, turned
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK,AND LATER, AS
BORN 1901 IN NEW YORK CITY, MARCUS
to Britain. Colonial SeCretary
COMMISSIONER OF coRREcTIoN,HE FEARLESSLY
ATTENDED WEST POINT WINNING THE INTER-
MARCUS
Joseph Chamberlain, on behalf
EXPOSED THE GRAFT AND CORRUPTION IN THE
COLLEGIATE MIDDLEWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION-
NEW YORK CITY PRISON SYSTEM .
• of the British Government, offers
SHIP AND STARRING IN BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL.
the Jews a plateau, about 8,000
• square miles, in Uganda, East
Africa.
ON JUNE 10,1948, HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION
NE SERVED AS LEGAL AIDE TO PRES.
Kerzl is ready to accept this.
BY AN ARAB SNIPER'S BULLET. AT HIS
ROOSEVELT AT DUMBARTON OAKS,
But a group, led by Menahem
FUNERAL ISRAELN PRIME MINISTER SAID -
YALTA, AND TEHERAN. HE WAS
"HIS NAME WILL LIVE FOREVER IN THE
AWARDED U.S. DISTINGUISHED
:Ussishkin, a veteran Zionist
ANNALS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE ..."
SERVICE CROSS AND ORDER OF THE
leader, and the young chemist,
THIS IS THE STORY OF ..
BRITISH EMPIRE.
Weizmann, fight him Violently.
19
The Jewish State, Weizniatin
"AV
40
argues, was not to be a refuge
•
*
from pogroms alone, or a philan-
te,
thropic enterprise alone; it had
to be based upon something
NI JANUARY, 194-13,LEAVING ON A SECRET MISSION
AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WALK RE-ENTERED
fundamental, it must answer a
FOR PALESTINE, NE TRAINED, ORGANIZED AND
THE ARMY AS A CAPTAIN • PARACHUTING INTO
SEINED AS MILITARY ADVISER FOR HAGANAH:
yearning for a genuine Jewish
NORMANDY ON'Tr VAX HIS TANK COLUMN LIVERAT-
SHORTLY AFTER,NE VMS APPOINTED SOMME
. EP THE OkiAWL:CONCENTRATION CAMPAIIE HOR-
homeland, the fulfillment of a
COMMANDER
OF NE JEWLSALEM FRONT.
RORS NE SNIT CONFWNIED WS FAMI IN WNW.
national life upon •histryrig,
soil,
/reduced by
"
COLONE L.
DAVID
MARCUS