Calling Himself a "Wandering Jew" Chaim Weizmann Dreams of a Jewish University "Of Our Own" In Jerusalem

July 18, 1906

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Calling Himself a "Wandering Jew" Chaim Weizmann Dreams of a Jewish University "Of Our Own" In Jerusalem
Autograph Letter Signed
2 pages | SMC 178

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      Background

      From the very beginning of his finding (and founding) Zionism, University lecturer Weizmann dreamed, lobbied, and worked for a Jewish University in Jerusalem. Writing just two years after Herzl’s death - and Weizmann’s assumption of the leadership role - this early letter to his  English tutor, expresses the Zionist dream, in less than perfect English, for “a University of our own.”

      I would be really very proud, could I get a degree in a University of our own, in a Jewish Univer. Imagine only a graduate of a University on the Mount Zion… a beautiful dream.

      Weizmann continues that he is dreadfully busy “racing from the East to the West” but will be coming into London next Saturday and, “if you don't mind and have a corner for a wandering Jew," will stay with the van Gelders and “revive old reminiscences.”
      Autograph Letter Signed, 2 pages, octavo, on the letterhead of The Victoria University of Manchester, Manchester, England, July 18, 1906. To Mietje van Gelder in London.
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      THE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER.

      18 / VII / 06

      Dear Miss Mietje
       
      Many many thanks for your very kind letter and the congratulations. I would be really very proud, could I get a degree in a University of our own, in a Jewish Univer. Imagine only a graduate of a University on the Mount Zion. Is not it a beautiful dream.

      I was really very sorry, I could not call in in 22 when I was in London. You know very well how dreadfully busy I always am and the constant racing 

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      from the East to the West simply knocks me out and I am delighted always to regain the place in the train to blessed Manchester.

      I am coming to town next Saturday and shall stay in 22 [22 Grosvenor Road, in Islington, London, was a boarding house] if you don't mind and have a corner for a wandering Jew.

      I hope you are getting on well all and am really glad to see again and revive old reminiscences.

      All regards for you and all in 22.

      Yours very sincerely

      CH WEIZMANN

      Please remember me to Dr. Rap. [Shloyme Zanvl Rappoport who, under his pseudonym S. Ansky, wrote the play The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds]