The Denver Jewish news., 1924-09-18
Fighter With Vision

enriched the life of our people in this I
country, are passing away to the great |
beyond and leaving nm aching void in
our midst
Adolph Radin, Herman Roscnthal, !
David Blaustein, Paul Kaplan. Joseph |
SEN, II. l., Sabsowich. Isaac A. Hour
wich, have, through their activities, left
an indelible impression upon the newer
and larger Jewish community, and have
so far not even found an adequate
chronicler Of their strivings, sacrifices
and aspirations in behalf OF more nor
NAL Jewish life.
Now, Nachman Syrkin. the most ar
dent of idealists, the most devoted pa
triot, the sincercst and bravcst of men.
has made his final exit, and so sudden
has been his departure that 1t is diff
cult to realize the eventuality and to
properly appraise the notable part that
he has played in recent Jewish history
His was vivid and vigorous person
ality, burning with zeal for the welfare
of his people and for social justice for
all mankind, yearning with the force of
a passionate character for larger kncwl-
edge and better understanding on the
part of all. rising to ever greater
heights of enthusiasm for the ideals
for which he fought. He was preeml-
nently fighter, and whether as jour
nalist, editor, publicist or orator, he was
forever battling with all his might and
main, not only against the Indifference
or stupidity of the many but for spe-
cial point of view and for larger
vision within his own circle. A leader
of men who indulged himself in the
luxury Of seeing more than one point
of view at the same time, he had his
| hands full in overcoming partisan pre-
judiccs and reconciling differences But
with his genial personality, unfailing
courage and unparalleled sincerity, he
nearly always won out, and in the end
maintained his high prestige among his
associates and fellow-workers. One of
the Oldest of Zionis;s, hc was among
| the youngest of men, retaining in full
The enthusiasm of youth even at the
| age of fifty-seven. which saw his I'M
timely demise, and DIR. Coralnik, in his
splendid appreciation in THE DAY, has
well emphasized the amazing perpetual
youthfulness of this scholar and sage.
a grey head, the figure of a middle
aged person-and the flame of youth
full and naive enthusiast of one who
still attached the greatest Importance
view of the world and an attitude to-
ward life
DIR. Syrkin was one of the creators Of
the Zionist movement, and more par
ticularly Poalo-Zionism, the offspring Of
the Jewish national idea, which aroused
his keencst interest and fervor, but was
which gave the widest opportunity for
the play of his unusual talents. For
what other idea or movement in Jewish
life than Zionism could have offered
such means for absorbing the limitless
enthusiasm, the untiring spirit of COM
bat, the unquenchable thirst for knowl-
edge, the love Of truth? Naturally, only
! the movement for the rcjuvenatiOn of
the Jewish people could satisfy the
needs of that Incorporation of the eter-
nal Jewish youth known as Nachman
| Syrkin.
As one of the originators Of the
democratic fraction in the Zionist
Congresses, DR.. Syrkin was naturally
always interested in the development of
the spirit of selfrule in Jewish com
munties, and when the movement for
the democratic organization Of Ameri-
can Jewry arose in 1915, he became one
of the strongest advocates for the for
nation of an American Jewish Con-
grcss, and later played leading part
| in calling this organization into being,
When the first Congress was held he
was elected member of the Delegation
to the Peace Conference During the
time of the work that was done in
Paris through the Committee Of Jew
ish Delegations. he, together with Nor
ris Wincheysky and Joseph Barondcss,
rendered most important services in
winning the friendship of the labor Gle
ments for our claims for Palestine and
Jewish rights. DR.. Syrkin thus added
additional significant achievements to-
the many years of important services
which he has rendered to the Jewish
people.
In his address at the funeral services
on Sunday morning, DIR. Stephen s.
Wise, an old-time and devoted friend of
the deceased, said he wished that all
American Jewry had known and appre'
ciatcd Or. Syrkin as he had done.
1t is perhaps too much to expect that
all ~ tl,n ,,.i1a nj lfato nj ,iraiaa tf thn