Description:

Chaim Weizmann TLS in English Hoping First Jewish Governor of NY will "be of some use to us, and that he will not quite forget us"

A 1p typed letter signed by Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952), the future 1st President of Israel, as "Ch Weizmann" at lower right. Written in London, England on November 20, 1932 on a leaf of pale blue stationery with Weizmann's "Sixteen Addison Crescent / London, W.14." address in the letterhead. Expected transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles, else near fine. 8" x 10." 

Chaim Weizmann wrote this letter to Bernard G. Richards (1877-1971) concerning the election of Herbert H. Lehman (1878-1963) as the first Jewish Governor of New York two weeks earlier.

The letter underscores how Jewish ethnic and religious identity superseded nationality in forming enduring connections. This multi-nationalism is amply demonstrated by the fact that Weizmann, a Russian-born Jew then living in England, was writing to a Lithuanian-born Jew (Richards) about an American-born Jew (Lehman.) The notion that all Jews, independent of individual backgrounds, should and would want to further the goals of the Jewish people proved to be the backbone of the Zionist Movement which would eventually lead to the formation of Israel 26 years later.

Though Weizmann declines to write to Lehman "as his election is a purely internal American political matter," it is clear that Weizmann hopes Lehman will nevertheless use his political power to promote Jewish causes. Weizmann continued: "…I am none the less very glad indeed that Lehman has realised [sic] his ambition; I am sure it will be for the good of the State of New York. I hope it may also be of some use to us, and that he will not quite forget us…"

Herbert H. Lehman was a co-founder of the Lehman Brothers financial firm who became involved in New York state politics in the 1920s. He ran on the Democratic ticket in 1928 and 1930, serving as Lieutenant Governor under Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1929-1932. On November 8, 1932, just two weeks before Weizmann wrote this letter to Richards, Lehman had won his first of four consecutive elections as Governor of New York. The first Jewish Governor of New York, Lehman served between 1933-1942. Between 1949-1957, Lehman served as a Senator from New York.

In 1932, Weizmann was a Russian-born biochemist and dedicated Zionist then living in the United Kingdom, where he resided after receiving British citizenship between 1910 and 1948. Weizmann would begin his tenure as the 2nd Chairman of the Provisional State Council of Israel just two days after the May 14, 1948 proclamation announcing Israeli statehood was issued. Weizmann later served as the 1st President of Israel between February 1949 and his death in November 1952.

Weizmann's correspondent Richards was a Lithuanian-born American immigrant who served as a reporter and editor of numerous American, Yiddish, and Jewish newspapers. Richards acted as Executive Secretary of the American Jewish Congress between 1915-1932, and as its Executive Director between 1932-1957. In 1932, Richard had just founded the Jewish Information Bureau, an agency which answered questions submitted from all over the world about Jews and Judaism.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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