Stephen Samuel Wise

Date of Birth: March 17, 1874

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: April 19, 1949

Biography

Stephen Samuel Wise was an influential American Rabbi and Zionist leader, born on March 17, 1874, in Budapest, Hungary. He immigrated to the United States with his family when he was just 17 months old. Wise was raised in New York City and went on to receive his education at the College of the City of New York and Columbia University. He earned his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1893. Wise served as a rabbi in several congregations, including the Madison Avenue Synagogue in New York and Temple Israel in Portland, Oregon. He was a prominent advocate for social justice, civil rights, and Zionism. In 1906, he founded the Free Synagogue in New York City, where he emphasized freedom of the pulpit and social activism. A staunch supporter of the labor movement, Wise was also a founding member of the NAACP in 1909. His dedication to Jewish causes was evident when he co-founded the American Jewish Congress in 1918 and the World Jewish Congress in 1936. Wise was a prolific speaker and writer, and his efforts significantly shaped American Jewish life in the 20th century.

5 Interesting Facts about Stephen Samuel Wise

1. Stephen Samuel Wise was a key figure in the establishment of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

2. He was a close advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and advocated for the U.S. to help European Jews during the Holocaust.

3. Wise was instrumental in the creation of the Palestine Economic Corporation, which aimed to develop the economic infrastructure of Palestine.

4. He was arrested in 1934 during a protest against the Nazi regime in front of the German consulate in New York City.

5. Wise was a vocal opponent of the American Jewish community’s passivity during the early years of the Holocaust, urging more aggressive action to save European Jews.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stephen Samuel Wise

1. “Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith.”

2. “The problem of evil is raised in every generation, but it is never solved.”

3. “Justice is the idea of God, the ideal of man, the rule of conduct writ in the nature of mankind.”

4. “Failure to protest is acquiescence to evil.”

5. “The most important thing in life is not to capitalize on your gains. Any fool can do that. The really important thing is to profit from your losses. That requires intelligence; and makes the difference between a man of sense and a fool.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Stephen Samuel Wise’s wealth was primarily in the form of his contributions to society and his legacy in social justice and Jewish causes. His net worth in monetary terms is not well-documented.

Children

Stephen Samuel Wise had two children: James Waterman Wise, who became a noted author and social activist, and Justine Wise Polier, who was the first female judge in New York and a prominent advocate for children’s rights.