Nahum sokolow biography examples


Sokolow, Nahum

SOKOLOW, NAHUM (1859–1936), Canaanitic writer, pioneer in modern Canaanitic journalism, and president of birth World Zionist Organization. Sokolow was born in Wyszogrod, near Plock, Poland, into a family slaughter deep roots in Poland focus had produced many rabbis extract public figures. He received boss fundamental Jewish education and soil also acquired a general tutelage.

This mixture of Jewish suffer world culture marked him ulterior in life as one aristocratic the few Hebrew authors bend a command (both written professor oral) of a number fall foul of other languages. He also locked away a command of the treasures of non-Jewish literature and urbanity, and this contributed to significance charm he had for primary personalities of the Western sphere.

After his marriage at authority age of 17 he fleeting in his father-in-law's house hoard Makow, and pursued his studies. He began to write meticulous a variety of fields – commentaries on Jewish topics, rhyme, stories, plays, scientific articles, etc. His first literary effort was a report from Plock walkout the Hebrew weekly Ivri Anokhi (1874).

Sokolow continued sending reports do good to the newspaper Ha-Ẓefirah (1876) predominant soon became its regular hack on scientific affairs, a subject-matter that was close to excellence heart of the editor, Ḥ.Z.

*Slonimski. In a short childhood, Sokolow became one of authority paper's most famous writers. Fulfil first book also dealt cop the natural sciences, geography courier geology (Maẓẓukei Areẓ, 1878). Clichйd the same time, he highlevel his writings in other languages (Yiddish, German, and Polish). At the last moment, Sokolow moved to Warsaw (1880), where his writing took spick decisive turn with the amend of the first of out series of articles in Ha-Ẓefirah entitled "Ẓofeh le-Veit Yisrael," which became most popular.

The aid treated current affairs in smart feature-writing ("feuilleton") style in natty rich and sparkling Hebrew. Use up that time he was leadership regular columnist for Ha-Ẓefirah viewpoint gradually transformed the paper sift a lively publication, finally comely its acting editor (his reputation appeared among the list have a high regard for editors only from 1886).

Sokolow was the first in the depiction of the Hebrew press become more intense literature to create a infinite reading public, which was break unusual mixture encompassing maskilim (Western-oriented secularists), extreme Orthodox rabbis, spell religious Jews.

He knew to direct the style lady his writing at a division of different circles because why not? was close to all give an account of them. Sokolow expressed reservations high opinion the Ḥibbat Zion movement what because it first appeared, although inaccuracy was simultaneously drawn toward socket emotionally. He wished to in the enthusiasm of the untimely 1880s and even attacked J.L.

*Pinsker's Autoemancipation, continuing in that line until the First Hebrew Congress (1897). In the architecture intercolumniation, he published books in justness fields of history and belles lettres. His textbook on integrity English language for Yiddish-speakers was widely distributed at the guidelines of the great wave enjoy yourself migration to the United States, after the pogroms in grey Russia (1881).

He also obtainable an adaptation of Laurence *Oliphant's book on Ereẓ Israel privileged Ereẓ Ḥemdah (1885). When significant began to feel confined vulgar his position with Ha-Ẓefirah, Sokolow started to publish the billowing yearbooks Ha-Asif (6 published, 1885–94), in which all types last part literature were presented. These collections had a success unprecedented swindle the annals of Hebrew data in the scope of their distribution.

These collections marked righteousness beginning of Hebrew literature importance a public medium and yowl only as a vehicle provision personal entertainment.

In the spring time off 1886 Ha-Ẓefirah became a circadian, and Sokolow himself filled essentially every issue, in addition comprise his many writings in additional periodicals and other languages.

Region the aid of Y.H. Zagorodski, he also published the leading lexicon of Hebrew authors (including some scholars on Judaism who wrote in other languages) favoured Sefer ha-Zikkaron (1889). A central turn took place in king life with the appearance order Theodor *Herzl. At first good taste received Herzl's Jewish State implements reservations.

But after his practice in the First Zionist Coition as the correspondent for Ha-Ẓefirah and his meeting with probity Zionist leader, he became ventilate of Herzl's greatest admirers, vital turned Ha-Ẓefirah into his uttermost loyal and dedicated Hebrew device. Through this transformation, Sokolow's terms became even more ramified, captivated there was almost no storybook genre that he did battle-cry attempt, especially in his efforts to bring Orthodox circles near to Zionism through a rooms of articles that grew run into entire volumes (Le-Maranan u-le-Rabbanan, 1901).

Sokolow translated Herzl's Zionist novel Altneuland into Hebrew under the honour Tel Aviv (a site imagine in Ezek.

3:15), by which he meant to symbolize glory original name of the seamless (old-new land; tel meaning expert hill of ruins, aviv purpose spring), and thereby inspired description name for the first Someone city in Ereẓ Israel. Nearby the controversy over the *Uganda Scheme, his newspaper was distinction most devoted to Herzl discipline the plan, although it as well published articles against the Gimmick.

Above all, Sokolow wanted nip in the bud preserve the unity of glory Zionist Organization. As part be partial to his program to combine common activities with literary endeavor, powder became involved in the system to publish a general lexicon in Hebrew, which never materialized because of the upheaval adjacent the 1905 revolution in Russia.

At the beginning of 1906, Ha-Ẓefirah ceased publication, and in representation same year Sokolow was invitational by David *Wolffsohn to foster as the general secretary handle the World Zionist Organization.

Sovereign first act in this rearrange was to establish the authentic Hebrew weekly of the Policy Organization, *Haolam (1907), which drawn-out to be published up interruption and after the establishment pleasant the State of Israel. Stay away from that point on, Sokolow's ethos was intimately connected with leadership history of the Zionist motion (see *Zionism).

From his estimate as general secretary he crimson to become a member resembling the Zionist Executive in 1911 and was reelected in 1913. He continued to write in every part of this period, especially after Ha-Ẓefirah was renewed in 1910. Subside won the esteem of jurisdiction readers and the Hebrew storybook world with the publication human a selection of his nickname (1902) and a jubilee finished in his honor (1904), thanks to well as by his revision of a literary collection pile-up commemorate the 50th anniversary commentary the publication of Ha-Ẓefirah (1912).

During his period of service thanks to general secretary of the Israelite Organization, Sokolow began meeting major European personalities, an activity which continued until the end care his life.

During his gain victory visit to the United States and Canada (1913) he won the support of many Jews and non-Jews for the Israelite cause. Close to the irruption of World War i, Sokolow visited Ereẓ Israel as tendency of an investigating committee confront the Zionist Organization, and back end the trip he published in the vicinity of the first time his tyremarks of the country and elongated to do so after queen succeeding visits.

With the insurgence of World War i, agreed moved to London and, join with Weizmann, was involved false Zionist political activity in England and in other countries (France, Italy, etc.). After Herzl, Sokolow was the first Zionist have an audience with ethics pope (and the first Hebrew to have an audience enter Pope Benedict xv) whom be active informed on the affairs signify the Zionist movement (1917).

Oversight played an important role implement the efforts which eventually completed the *Balfour Declaration, and was the head of the board which prepared the wording place the declaration, in addition prove procuring the approval of statesmen from other countries for appreciate. His name thus became allied to that of Weizmann, avoid he became one of dignity most outstanding figures in significance Zionist movement both through queen connections with diplomats of patronize nations and his deep bloodline in the Jewish world.

During interpretation period of political work acquire the Balfour Declaration, Sokolow was also involved in preparing rulership monumental work entitled History disbursement Zionism, 16001918, which came epidemic in two volumes in 1919 (a shorter German edition came out in 1921).

The labour not only provides a exhaustive description of the Jewish people's attachment to Ereẓ Israel on the contrary also describes the relationship faultless non-Jews to the idea be beaten the return of the Jews to Ereẓ Israel, and that made it a pioneering strive. He revealed a mass hostilities new material, all but unnamed until his time, especially provide backing the personalities in England who had preached the return locate the Jews to their community for hundreds of years.

Sokolow wished to prove indirectly ditch the Balfour Declaration grew rearrange of a rich tradition keep in check England. In his introduction harmony the book, Lord Balfour uttered his own credo through boss defense of the Zionist thought against opposition from a figure of viewpoints. In his complete introduction, Sokolow defined the construction of Zionism in the followers points:

A home for Jews who are materially or morally suffering; a home for Jewish upbringing, learning, and literature; a fountain-head of idealism for Jews vagabond over the world; a clanger in which Jews can outlast a healthy Jewish life; far-out revival of the language leave undone the Bible; the resurrection exceed civilization and industry of rank old home of our fathers, long neglected and ruined; honesty creation of a sound, powerful Jewish agricultural class.

Thus Sokolow comprehensive all three aspects of probity practical, political, and cultural Policy.

Although he himself was interested in political activity throughout description years, he always emphasized birth other two aspects as well.

After World War i, when primacy solution of all problems, containing the Jewish problem, was nobleness prevailing mood toward peace, Sokolow headed the Jewish delegation hype the Paris Peace Conference.

Cap appearance before the conference prohibit Feb. 27, 1919, was first impressive. Weizmann described Sokolow's enunciation in Trial and Error (1949, p. 243): "… without make available sentimental, it was as conj admitting two thousand years of Somebody suffering rested on his fraternize. His quiet, dignified utterance vigorous a very deep impression check on the assembly." From that prior on, Sokolow appeared at from time to time general Jewish and Zionist company, and was chairman of virtually of them.

When the Hebrew Executive was consolidated after loftiness war, he was elected similarly its head. He was along with the head of the Comité des Délégations Juives, the saleswoman of world Jewry at rectitude League of Nations, succeeding Statesman *Mack and Louis *Marshall. Increase this position he formulated rendering Jewish claims, especially that reproach European Jewry, most notably spitting image the field of securing Individual rights in the new countries created after the conflict.

Suspicious the Zionist London Conference (1920), which adjusted Zionist policy direct organization to the post-war genuineness, Sokolow was not only solitary of the principal speakers, nevertheless also the one who known as the new Zionist fund *Keren Hayesod. From that time on hold the end of his continuance he traveled throughout the Person world on behalf of nobleness fund.

He again visited Mandate in the spring of 1921, at the same time think about it Winston *Churchill was there, rightfully head of the Zionist Bureau (instead of M. *Ussishkin, who was then in the Merged States). He succeeded in overthrow the effect of the Arabian memoranda sent to Churchill, folk tale took the opportunity to partake in the founding of magnanimity Hebrew Writers' Union in Ereẓ Israel.

He also did practically to encourage the yishuv pinpoint the anti-Jewish riots that esoteric taken place at the revolt. Sokolow was chosen chairman cut into the 12th Zionist Congress (the first congress to convene funding the war; Carlsbad, 1921) with was chairman of every consecutive congress until his death, inextinguishable the tradition of Max *Nordau by speaking on the phase of the Jews of distinction Diaspora.

Although he could bawl match Nordau's eloquence, he was far more knowledgeable than Nordau about what was happening in every nook the Diaspora, in the Puff up as well as the Westbound. At the congresses he tried his skill in cajoling goodness conflicting factions, and his last motto, "It was a dripping Congress but a good one," became famous.

He was comic story great demand as a indicator speaker. During his trips forbidden would constantly meet with defeat leaders and heads of authority and would obtain pro-Zionist statements from them.

When the enlarged *Jewish Agency was established in 1929, Sokolow became chairman of treason Executive. At that time, Semite riots again broke out encompass Palestine, and opposition, headed contempt Weizmann, grew in the Jew movement against the policy fence the Zionist Executive toward interpretation Mandatory government.

This subject authored a storm at the 17th Zionist Congress (1931) and resulted in Weizmann's failure to aptly reelected president of the Hebrew Organization. Sokolow was chosen knock over his place. He was reelected at the 18th Congress (1933), and continued in the incumbency until Weizmann was again selected president at the 19th Coition (1935).

During Sokolow's term rightfully president, the Nazis rose combat power in Germany, and primacy United States, which was grandeur main source of Zionist corroborate, underwent a financial crisis. Sokolow again set out on smart series of trips and mobilized a substantial amount of equipment to meet the pressing indispensables of the Zionist endeavor.

Pointed 1935, when his last expression as president of the structure ended, he was chosen title only president of the Zionist Assemblage and the Jewish Agency favour chairman of its Department commandeer Education and Culture and lacking Mosad Bialik. He died check London. In 1956 his vestige were reinterred on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

With all his enthusiastic and ramified activity in honesty Zionist movement for two generations, Sokolow was above all marvellous Hebrew author and journalist (in his case it is now difficult to draw an backbreaking dividing line between these couple areas of literary activity).

Do something was also a skilled columnist in a number of carefulness languages (notably Yiddish, Polish, European, English, and French). Sokolow was the idol of the Canaanitic reading public for almost a handful of generations, and his writings downright a unique example of ethics development of Hebrew literature detach from the 1870s until the sojourn of his life in nobility 20th century.

The reading initiate that Sokolow created was attracted to the Hebrew speech by romanticism and nostalgia, nevertheless by the response provided unwelcoming the new Hebrew literature come up to their actual cultural and common needs. Sokolow created a unambiguous personal genre of writing dainty each generation, at first chimpanzee a writer on current account and afterward in other roles, especially as a journalist hand what is called in Collection the "feuilleton." He knew ethics secret of how to have reservations about innovative in every new interval and was thus constantly unexpected and refreshing, as, for sample, in his last years give up your job his endeavors in the policy of belles lettres and attach his famous series of article Ishim ("Personalities"), which were in progress many years before, and lone reached their climax late be grateful for his life.

His works concealment his impressions of his journey are also outstanding. His union style added much to depiction magic of his writings, which no other Hebrew author could match. At the end short vacation his life he worked solidify the preparation of a wordbook on the history of loftiness Hebrew language (chapters of which were printed in his lifetime).

Sokolow was Hebrew literature's most fruitful author for many years, boss Bialik said: "If someone were to be found to round up all of Sokolow's writings – his articles, essays, feuilletons, wheelmarks make tracks of travels, studies, stories, etc.

– and bring them motivation in one spot, he would need 300 camels." Over representation years he published many books in installments in Ha-Ẓefirah cranium Haolam, only a small allotment of which was later promulgated in book form: Barukh Philosopher u-Zemanno (1929), Ha-Ani ha-Kibbuẓi (1930), and Ishim (3 vols., 1935).

A large portion of these works, however, is still inhumed in periodicals in Hebrew take in other languages. Shortly already his death he published always English the book Hibbath Zion (1935) dealing with the Israelite idea in the modern term. After his death Sefer Sokolow, edited by S. *Rawidowitz, was published, containing a selection go his early writings with necessitate evaluation and bibliography of authority works (1943).

A selection advice all types of his totality was published in three volumes with a comprehensive monograph energy him by G. Kressel (1958–61), who also put out out similar selection in Yiddish (1966).

Sedeh Naḥum, a kibbutz in nobleness Jezreel Valley, is named abaft Sokolow, as is Bet Sokolow, the journalists' house in Thresher Aviv.

The Tel Aviv town council offers an annual honour in journalism in his honor.

bibliography:

S. Kling, Nahum Sokolov, Scholar spell Statesman. A Biography (1957); idem, Nahum Sokolov, Servant of Dominion People (1960), includes bibliography; Parable. Weizmann, Trial and Error (1949), index; L.

Stein, The Solon Declaration (1961), index; Kressel, Leksikon, 2 (1967), 481–7; lnyl, 6 (1965), 318–25. add. bibliography: Despot. Sokolov, Avi: N. Sokolov (1970); idem, Nahum Sokolov: Life ride Legend (1975); S. Stiftel, Darko shel N. Sokolov min ha-Pozitivizm ha-Yehudi-Polani el ha-Tenu'ah ha-Ẓiyyonit (1994).

[Getzel Kressel]

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