SILVER, ABBA HILLEL. (1893-1963). Influential American rabbi who mobilized American support for Israel, gained international backing through the United Nations and pressured American President Harry Truman to recognize the State of Israel. DS. (“Abba Hillel Silver”). 1p. Oblong 4to. N.p., December 1946. Zionist Organization of American Citation of Honor to BERNARD MARINOFF, who, in 1945, was a member of New York City’s Flatbush Zionist Organization. Additionally signed by the Zionist Organization’s secretary and future executive director, DR. SIDNEY MARKS.
Born in modern Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire, Silver immigrated to the United States as a child and became involved in Zionist organizing in his youth. He grew up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and attended Hebrew Union College and the University of Cincinnati, eventually becoming the rabbi at Cleveland’s prominent Temple-Tifereth Israel where he championed civil liberties, labor issues and the establishment of a Jewish homeland. Silver urged President Truman to recognize the State of Israel, which he did on May 14, 1948, just eleven minutes after Israel declared its independence.
Folded and creased with some staining and wear. With the Zionist Organization of America gold foil seal attached at the lower left corner. Some creasing, otherwise in very good condition.
