TYPED LETTER SIGNED by the progressive rabbi STEPHEN SAMUEL WISE an early supporter of Zionism who started the "Free Synagogue" movement in reply to James B. Pond's invitation to join his reception committee for Maeterlinck's first American lecture.
1919rif. 36908New York December 11 1919. 1919. Very good. - Over 30 words typed on his 6 inch high by 8 inch wide buff "Free Synagogue / New York" stationery. Stephen Samuel Wise is pleased to accept American impresario and lecture agent James B. Pond's invitation to serve on the committee welcoming Maurice Maeterlinck to America. Wise writes "I accept with much pleasure your kind invitation to serve as a member of the Honorary Reception Committee." Signed "Stephen S. Wise". Folded for mailing with a small piece out from the top left corner. Very good. Born in Budapest Stephen Samuel Wise 1874-1949 emigrated to the US when his father accepted service as rabbi of Brooklyn's Congregation Baith Israel Anshei Emes. After completing his studies at Columbia University Wise pursued rabbinical studies under several noted rabbis of the era including Richard J.H. Gottheil Kohut Gersoni Joff and Margolis. He was appointed assistant rabbi of NYC's Congregation B'nai Jeshurun becoming the Congregation's senior rabbi later that year. Taking over as rabbi of Portland Oregon's Congregation Beth Israel he attacked many of the social and political ills facing the country. He soon broke with the traditional reform movement and established his "Free Synagogue" in 1907 launching a movement. Wise was an early supporter of Zionism and laid the groundwork for what became the Zionist Organization of America and served as president of the American Jewish Congress. His good friend Albert Einstein profoundly praised him in a tribute that Einstein presented at the celebration of Wise' 60th birthday. In 1914 Wise co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP. Wise early on saw the threat posed by Hitler's rise in Germany and fought to shape U.S. public opinion against the growing German threat leading efforts for a Jewish Boycott of Germany and the creation of the World Jewish Congress. James B. Pond the American impresario and lecture agent who headed the J.B. Pond Lyceum Bureau brought the great Belgian poet Maurice Maeterlinck to America for a series of lectures. The first lecture took place at Carnegie hall on January 2nd 1920. Unfortunately Maeterlinck failed to carry out his intention to lecture in English because of his labored "phonetic" English. He declared his intention to continue his lectures in French and have the translation read by another person. As a result the lecture tour was a failure and lawsuits ensued on both sides. New York, December 11, 1919. unknown
