Jewry's Role in Human Affairs A HOMELAND IS BORN, THE INGATHERING BEGINS The roots of a new nation grew in the fertile soil tilled by two leaders of destiny. The "dreamer" Theodor Herzl and the "architect" Chaim Weizmann stood hand in hand as Zionist pioneers who helped end the millennia of aimless wandering by a dispossessed people. They shaped a miracle.no less daunting than that of America's founding fathers. THEODOR HERZL 1860-1904)b. Budapest, Hungary Zionism's Political Founder The one-time lawyer, play- _ right, literary editor and journalist crystallized his life mission when covering the Alfred Dreyfus Affair as a news correspondent. The railroading for treason of an innocent military officer, a French Jew, convinced him that a national state 7 was the only alternative to European anti- Semitism. The Jewish State, a pamphlet which he published in 1896. pressed for an inter-nationally mandated homeland in Palestine and galvanized youthful idealists of the Hibbat Zion movement. He was not the first to speak out for Aliya which had earlier been proposed in principle by Napoleon Bonaparte, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and Moses Hess, a colleague of Karl Marx. But Herzl was; above all, an activist who courted people in high position in behalf of the cause. In 1897 he convened the first Zionist World Congress--despite sharp opposition by many prominent rabbis--over which he presided. A tall, imposing figure with a full black beard and prophet's demeanor, Herzl electrified audiences with pleas to "lay the foundation stone for the house which will become a refuge for the Jewish nation." But not all were sympathetic. Emperor William II of Germany and Turkey's Sultan refused to help charter immigrations to Palestine. The British also dissented, only to see Herzl's followers form the Anglo-Palestine Bank and Jewish National Fund pivotal to Israel's birth. It was he, through strength of character and dynamism, who unleashed the political power of Zionism to help realize the dream. Harvested after his short life of 44 years, the fruits of Herzl's labors fulfilled centuries' of aspiration of a people seeking safety, independence and freedom. His fitting memorial is a mountain bearing his name. CHAIM WEIZMANN 1874-1952)b.Motol, Russia Zionist Leader and First President of Israel One of 15 children born to a humble lumber dealer, Weizmann was schooled in Germany and in Switzerland where he earned a Ph.D. magna cum laude in chemistry. Settling in England in 1904, he became a naturalized subject and combined a life of science with a dedication to creating a Jewish state. In Ad- dition to earning patents in organic chemistry, Weizmann synthesized acetone for explosives used during World War One and rose to direct the British Admiralty Chemical Laboratories (1916). His international fame as a chemist was surpassed only by his prominence as a politician with prodigious skills in negotiating for the English Zionist movement. By sheer force of personality and conviction, he prevailed in 1917, gaining the support of Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister Lloyd George, U.S. Justice Louis Brandeis and others in drafting the Balfour Declaration which committed Britain to establishing a Jewish state in Palestine. During his career, the ardent advocate was named president of the World Zionist Federation in 1917 and the World Zionist Organization in 1920. World War Two saw him organize England's Jewish Brigade. And once more, Weizmann the scientist aided the Allied war effort, this time in helping produce synthetic rubber. The builder of a nation retired to Rehovot, Palestine, and formed the now world-famed Weizmann Institute. While in frail health, the master diplomat served twice as Israel's president until his death.- Saul Stadtmauer Were it not for Mr. Jacobson, Harry Truman's former Jewish business partner, the U.N. might have rejected an Israeli state. He arranged for Weizmann to meet the - Walter L. Field President who then had America cast an approving vote. Visit many more notable Jews at our website: www.dorledor.org 5/3 2002 36 COMMISSION FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF JEWISH HISTORY Walter & Lea Field, Founders/Sponsors Irwin S. Field, Chairperson Harriet F. Siden, Chairperson Honoring Diversity Winning student essay explores the great American melting pot. LISA FEIN Special to the Jewish News A Temple Israel Religious School student took first place in a statewide essay contest on the topic, "Celebrate America, Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants." The 250-word essay by Shelby Snider, 10, a fifth-grader at Green Elementary School in West Bloomfield, will move on to national Competition. The American Immigration Lawyer's Association is sponsoring the competition for fifth-grade social studies classes. Kristin Taylor, a social studies teacher at Green, said the essay writing "gave the students a deeper appreciation and better understanding about diversity being one of our country's biggest strengths." Shelby, an avid reader, said her essay "described America as a cake, SHELBY L. SNIDER Special to the Jewish News ave you ever made a cake? Well, you need lots of ingredients to make the cake great. That's America! And the ingredients are the dif- ferent nationalities, religions and backgrounds of those people who came to America in search of hope and the different nationalities help- ing it to be a great cake." She got the idea from her grandmother, Harriet Maza, a former English and journalism teacher at West Bloomfield High School. Teresa Maurer is Shelby's social studies teacher at Green. She called her pupil's entry "wonderful." Shelby, she said, "was very enthusi- astic about the topic and the school is very proud of her." Shelby's essay topped 90 Green and freedom. With them they brought their foods, music and ways of dress. Diversity makes America what it is today. It started with the English settlers and they learned the cus toms of the Native Americans. By the early 1900s, millions streamed to America to escape poverty and practice religious freedom. America became known as the "great melt- ing pot') and people blended