Fascinating ALS signed “L. D. B.,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, Supreme Court letterhead, March 27, 1928. Brandeis writes to Irvin and Bob. In part: “You letters have come since I wrote and telegraphed…. I cannot add anything in my letter…by way of explanation of a decision which seems to me imperative. In view of what you say, it seems clear that the April 15 meeting I would ask be held in Washington. On the other hand I remain firm in my conviction that the conference should be held. You…will know whether I should be at Baltimore or elsewhere. I am not of the opinion that failure of election of a new board is probable…. But I feel certain that the best fight possible should be made; that it is necessary that it should be made more necessary to save the souls of the group, of our friends and of the Zionists of America—I might add of the Jews of America. Neither the eloquence…nor the threats of H. and his allies should prevent the effort being made. I think the situation quite different from what it was in 1920—and for a few years thereafter…. We had then a situation where it seemed that the flow of money to Palestine was an essential of continued existence…” In fine condition, with punch hole to top edge affecting a few words, and some scattered light soiling.
The justice’s letter reflects the ongoing power struggle within Jewish circles in the United States. Prior to 1914, few American Jewish leaders were committed to a Jewish state in Palestine. In fact, many assimilated American Jews, mostly from German-Jewish backgrounds, opposed the concept. Brandeis was a notable exception. Following his lead, many people came to see a future state of Israel as essential for saving oppressed Jews abroad—as well as the key to American Jewish renewal. Even so, Brandeis, who was named to the Supreme Court in 1916, found himself at odds with other influential Jews. In 1919, he broke on issues of structural organization and financial planning with Chaim Weizmann, the leader of European Zionism who eventually defeated Brandeis for power. The struggle led to Brandeis’ 1921 resignation from the the Zionist Organization of America. Content-driven correspondence. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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