Item 54614. UNVEILING AND CONSECRATION OF THE JOHN HAY MEMORIAL WINDOW AT THE TEMPLE OF THE REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL [EVENT PROGRAM]

UNVEILING AND CONSECRATION OF THE JOHN HAY MEMORIAL WINDOW AT THE TEMPLE OF THE REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL [EVENT PROGRAM]

Philadelphia, 1906. Item #41143

1st edition. Original paper wrappers with glossy interior. 8vo. 6 pages, 25 cm. In English. A full program for the dedication of a large stain glass window to former Secretary of State John Hay. John Milton Hay (1838–1905) was a U.S. statesman who supported Romanian and Russian Jewish rights. Hay was a secretary of state under presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt from 1898 until his death in 1905. He was involved in U.S. diplomatic representations during this period on behalf of Romanian and Russian Jews. In 1902, at the urging of American Jewish leaders including Oscar S. Straus and Jacob H. Schiff, Hay addressed a note to the signatories of the Berlin Treaty of 1878 protesting Romania's violation of that treaty by its restrictions on Jews. Following the Kishinev pogrom of 1903, again after Jewish pressure and with an eye to domestic political considerations, Hay publicized a protest petition drawn up by B'nai B'rith. Oscar Straus, one of the speakers, was appointed to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague under President Theodore Roosevelt. He would be reappointed by President Roosevelt in 1908, President Taft in 1912, and President Wilson in 1920. Straus made history in 1906 when he became the first Jewish cabinet member after being appointed by Roosevelt as Secretary of Commerce and Labor. He also participated at the Paris Peace Conference, advising President Wilson on the interests of European Jewry. Elihu Root, another of the speakers, served as the Secretary of State under President Theodore Roosevelt and as Secretary of War under Roosevelt and President William McKinley. “He is sometimes considered to be the prototype of the 20th century political ‘wise man,’ advising presidents on a range of foreign and domestic issues….Root was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912. ” Andrew Dickson White, another speaker,  “was an American historian and educator, who was the cofounder of Cornell University and served as its first president for nearly two decades….He was later appointed as a US diplomat to Germany and Russia” (Wikipedia, 2018). Published as part of the series “Sunday discourses by Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf” featuring text of addresses from the event. "Presented by Rabbi Krauskopf" noted on front cover in pencil. Congregation Keneseth Israel is the sixth oldest Reform Jewish synagogue in the United States, beginning in Philadelphia in 1847 (Wikipedia, 2018). SUBJECTS: American Jewry. OCLC lists 7 copies worldwide (OCLC:18098188). Some pencil on front wrapper. Slight fading of images on wrapper. Very Good Condition. (AMR-54-3-BDXZ) .

Price: $525.00