Description:

Weizmann, Chaim (1874-1952) Chaim Weizmann hopes to "shmoos" with the Director of the United Palestine Appeal who had advanced him $2500 "on my arrival in this country" which he is now returning he also tells him that he has heard he contemplates "combining various activities in which we are mutually interested" at the forthcoming UPA conference in Boston, telling him, in ancient Arameic, "a hint is enough for a wise man."

Typed Letter Signed "Ch. Weizmann" in English, one page, 8" x 10". On pictorial stationery of the Hotel St. Regis, New York, July 15, 1942. To Robert Silverman, United Palestine Appeal, 41 East 42nd Street, New York City. Minor separation at edges of folds. Fine condition. Accompanied by the original, partially split, postmarked envelope with the 2¢ "Army and Navy / For Defense" stamp affixed, marked "Personal."

In full, "I take great pleasure in returning to you herewith the $2500.00 which you were good enough to advance to me on my arrival in this country. I need not tell you that I was grateful for your accommodation and help at the time when it was needed. I genuinely regret that in the busy days I have been spending here since my arrival, I have not had a real chance to have a shmoos with you. I hope that I shall have such an opportunity shortly. I hear that you are planning a conference in Boston for the Fall and that you contemplate combining various activities in which we are mutually interested; dai lachkimo beremizo. If I am in the country, I want to assure you, and you can in turn, assure all my friends in New England, that I shall be with you. In the meantime, I want to thank you again for your cooperation and the fine spirit you have exhibited in all our work."

Chaim Weizmann had arrived in New York on March 22, 1941. He told reporters that he could be reached at the offices of the Emergency Committee for Zionist Affairs at 41 East 42nd Street (also the offices of the United Palestine Appeal). At the time, Weizmann, a world renowned chemist, was president of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Palestine. The "Times" had earlier reported that his trip to the United States had been "delayed by his war duties in England. For the last seven months he has been engaged in important war work in a special chemical laboratory at the British Admiralty. During his visit Dr. Weizmann will confer with leading American scientists regarding his research and will discuss with American Jewish leaders plans for enabling Palestine to give maximum aid to the cause of Britain in the Middle East."

An article in the October 12, 1942 edition of "The New York Times" reported on the Boston convention: "Declaring the British front in Palestine was as much a vital strategic front of the United States, Dr. Brauch [sic, Baruch] Braunstein told the New England Conference of the United Palestine Appeal today that this country should undertake to arm the Jews of Palestine if Great Britain was unable to do so. Palestine not only is helping to win the war but also can make a major contribution to winning the peace by providing a haven in a relatively short time for the millions of Jews who will be stateless and homeless in Europe, he said...."

"Shmoos" is the Yiddish word for "talk" but has become part of English conversation meaning "a warm heart-to-heart talk." The words "dai lachkimo beremizo" mean "a hint is enough for a wise man" in Arameic, the language spoken in ancient Palestine. Weizmann tells Silverman that he has heard that he contemplates "combining various activities in which we are mutually interested" in the forthcoming United Palestine Appeal conference in Boston, hinting that he hopes he does so without actually saying it and possibly offending those who oppose it. Three years earlier, the United Jewish Appeal for Refugees and Overseas Needs was formed, combining the fundraising efforts of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the National Coordinating Committee Fund, and the United Palestine Appeal.

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