President Chaim Weizmann (Israel) Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952), born in Russia, earned a Ph.D. in chemistry, lecturing at universities in Switzerland and England. Putting his chemist's talents to work for Britain in World War I, he was influential in adoption of the Balfour Declaration of 1917 promising creation of a Jewish homeland. An attendee at the Zionist Congresses starting with the second (1898), Weizmann was President of the World Zionist Organization (1920-1930, 1935-1946), Provisional President (1948-1949) and the 1st President of Israel from 1949 until his death on November 9, 1952. Prior to a compromise promoted by Weizmann, the Zionist movement had between divided between advocates of "political Zionism" (giving first priority to creation of a Jewish state) and "practical Zionism" (promoting Jewish settlement in Palestine as a necessary means to eventual statehood). Weizmann's position of "synthetic Zionism" urged that both goals be pursued at the same time. It was at the Tenth Congress that Weizmann's position became official policy.  While shaping fundamental policies of the Zionist movement, and lobbying friendly government's to support a Jewish state, Weizmann also was active in fund raising and refugee relief.