Israel Friedlaender: A Tribute
President of the Zionist Organization of America
Zionism and Judaism have lost one of their strongest pillars in the passing away of that brilliant scholar and staunch Jewish champion, Prof. Israel Friedlaender. Words are inadequate to express the grief in our hearts or the sense of loss both to Jewish life and to the world of scholarship caused by his untimely end. That so kindly and gentle-souled a man, who bore no enmities and harbored no ill-will toward any man, should be struck down in cold blood by a cowardly murderer's hand serves but to accentuate the tragedy. There is, however, a silver lining even to this dark cloud that lightens up so that all may see clearly the nobility of soul, steadfastness of purpose, the quiet heroism of this scholarly idealist. He died as he had lived, serving the Jewish people, whom he loved so well and to whom he had dedicated his life. It has already been truly stated that his was a soldier's death, "killed in action on the field of glory."
One of the foremost of our Jewish scholars, he was never so deeply engrossed in the class-room and the study that he lost sight of his fellow men and the field of active duties. His life was synonymous with service and in every work he gave of his whole-souled devotion.
For ten years he was a member of our National Executive Committee, where his deep and abiding interest in the cause of Zionism and his full knowledge of all phases of the movement enabled him to make contributions to our councils, which will cause him ever to be enshrined in our memories. He was the first president of Young Judaea, and justly so, for he always showed the keenest interest in the activities of the younger generation.
Professor Friedlaender willingly undertook the dangerous mission into the Akraine. He could have stayed behind in Marsaw or one of the other Polish cities; he could have served in America or in less dangerous fields. But it was not in his heart to remain inactive while his people were crying for bread. He went knowing full well the dangers that beset his path. He craved an outlet for his unquenchable desire to serve his people. And so this kindly, quiet scholar, went bravely forth and just as bravely sacrificed his life in the Jewish cause.
To all who knew him he was an inspiration. And may his death, too, inspire his fellow Jews to attempt in some measure to follow the example of the noble life that he gave up for his people.