American Supreme Court Justice to his Recently Arrived Cousin from War-Torn Austria

“Brandeis’s desire to help Eastern European Jewry find a safe haven in Palestine [the future Israel] was heightened by his contact in 1910 with Russian immigrant garment workers, whom he met while mediating a strike. He saw in these Jews a democratic spirit and idealism he had not expected. In 1913, Brandeis agreed to chair a Zionist meeting in Boston. Not content to be a mere figurehead, by 1915 Brandeis became Zionism’s leading public spokesman in America… By 1917, the American Zionist movement increased its membership tenfold to 200,000 members. The American Provisional Executive Committee for General Zionist Affairs, which Brandeis chaired, raised millions to relieve Jews who were suffering throughout war-torn Europe,” (“Louis D. Brandeis and American Zionism,” The Jewish Federation of North America, Feldberg).

Brandeis had assisted in the immigration to America of his Viennese cousins, sisters Louise and Betty, in 1938 shortly after the Anschluss, the March 12, 1938 annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. “Brandeis swore out an affidavit in May 1938 that he had ample resources and would be willing to sponsor them in the United States so they would not become public charges. The two women arrived in New York in July, where officials of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society met them and secured temporary lodgings for them. Brandeis also made contributions to a group organized by his former law clerk David Riesman to rescue academics and find them positions in American Universities,” (Louis D. Brandeis: A Life, Urofsky).

Folded with normal wear and with the original envelope. In very good condition.