L. J. Greenberg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids L. J. Greenberg
Born	1861 Birmingham, U.K.
Died	1931
Resting place	Kibbutz Degania, Israel
Occupation	Journalist
Children	Ivan Greenberg

L. J. Greenberg, whose full name was Leopold Jacob Greenberg (1861–1931), was an important British journalist. He became a strong supporter of Zionism in England by 1899. Zionism is the movement for Jewish self-determination and the establishment of a Jewish homeland. Greenberg worked hard to spread the ideas of Zionism. He was also the editor of The Jewish Chronicle, a major newspaper for the Jewish community in Britain. He always spoke up for fairness and kindness towards Jewish people around the world.

Leopold Greenberg: A British Journalist

Early Life and Beliefs

Leopold Greenberg was born in Birmingham in 1861. His father, Simeon Greenberg, was a successful jewelry maker. Leopold went to school in London, first at a private Jewish school and then at University College School.

Greenberg made friends with many important political people in Britain. This helped him work towards the goals of Theodor Herzl, a key leader in the Zionist movement. Herzl even visited Greenberg's home in London. Greenberg's main goal was to get British Jews to accept Zionism. At the time, most British Jews were not interested in the idea. But Greenberg, who had edited a magazine called Young Israel in the 1890s, worked hard to share the Zionist message.

Leading The Jewish Chronicle

Greenberg believed it was important to have a strong platform to share Zionist ideas. So, when he heard that The Jewish Chronicle newspaper was for sale, he suggested that the World Zionist Organization buy it. This idea was not approved at first.

However, in 1904, Greenberg decided to create a company to buy the newspaper himself. He found four Jewish supporters, including Leopold Kessler, a wealthy mining engineer. Greenberg became the editor of the Chronicle in 1907 and stayed in that job for the rest of his life. He became both the new owner and editor.

Greenberg remained a friend and supporter of Dr. Moses Gaster, who was the Chief Rabbi of Sephardic Jews in Britain. Later, his close friend was Joseph Cowen, who was president of the English Zionist Federation. Greenberg was a traditional English figure. He believed in preserving the cultural and spiritual traditions of Judaism, like synagogues and the Torah.

In 1914, The Jewish Chronicle published Greenberg's famous statement: "England has been all she could be to the Jews; the Jews will be all they can be to England." This showed his belief in the loyalty of British Jews to their country.

Searching for a Jewish Homeland

Greenberg chose David Lloyd George, a lawyer and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Liberal Party, to help set up the company for The Jewish Chronicle. They had a good relationship even before Lloyd George became Prime Minister.

Another friend of Greenberg's was Joseph Chamberlain, a Liberal Unionist MP. Chamberlain later became the Secretary for the Colonies in 1902. Greenberg felt he could ask Chamberlain to help find a homeland for the Jewish people within the British Empire. He hoped for a place in what is now Israel. However, that area was part of the Turkish Empire, so Chamberlain could not help directly.

In 1901, Chamberlain offered the Sinai Peninsula as a possible home. But this area was too hot and lacked enough water to support many people, so the offer didn't work out. Then, in 1903, Chamberlain offered the colony of Uganda as a Jewish home. Uganda had a better climate. However, many Russian Zionists strongly rejected this idea. At the 1904 World Jewish Congress in Basel, they insisted, "Israel or nothing!" They believed the Jewish homeland had to be in Israel.

World War I and the Balfour Declaration

After Theodor Herzl passed away, the Zionist movement became less active for a while. However, Greenberg continued to edit The Jewish Chronicle. He worked hard to make sure it remained the main voice for the British Jewish community. He was helped by friends like Jacobus Kann, Joseph Cowen, and Leopold Kessler.

Before 1914, The Jewish Chronicle had often criticized the Russian Empire because of how badly Jews were treated there. Greenberg even wrote that Britain should join Austria and Germany in a war against Russia. But when Germany invaded Belgium at the start of World War I, Greenberg changed his view. He then argued that Britain should join Russia in fighting Austria and Germany. The Jewish Chronicle put up a sign outside its London office repeating the message: "England has been all she could be to the Jews; the Jews will be all they can to England."

During the war, America remained neutral for a long time. Britain was very tired from the fighting. A new plan was needed. The Allies first tried to attack Turkey, but that didn't go well. Then, the British decided to invade Turkish colonies and promised the Arabs self-rule. Colonel T. E. Lawrence was important in this effort. The British used Egypt as a base to invade Iraq, Syria, and Palestine. General Edmund Allenby was put in charge of Palestine.

Meanwhile, in Russia, a revolution had removed the Czar, and Lenin and his Bolsheviks took control. American public opinion started to turn against Britain. Some Americans even thought about joining the war on Germany's side.

At this critical time, a scientist named Chaim Weizmann made an important discovery. He found a way to get acetate from chestnuts, which was needed to make dynamite. Britain desperately needed acetate for its war effort, so Weizmann's discovery was extremely valuable. It is said that Prime Minister David Lloyd George offered Weizmann anything to show his thanks. According to a popular story, Weizmann replied, "All I want is a homeland for my people."

Around the same time, Greenberg was asked what could be done to get American support back for Britain. Greenberg answered, "Give the Jewish people the homeland they have been dreaming of for 2,000 years!" He gave the same answer when asked how to win back Russian support.

Greenberg was at a key meeting in January 1917 where the British government decided to support military action in Palestine. As General Allenby's army moved to conquer Palestine, the British government issued a statement. This statement, known as the Balfour Declaration, was made by the Foreign Secretary, Arthur James Balfour. It offered a Jewish national home in Palestine.

Greenberg continued to have strong opinions after the Balfour Declaration. He believed that Weizmann should have asked for a "Jewish state" instead of just a "national home." He also thought Palestine should include "both sides of the Jordan river." These discussions continued until Greenberg passed away in 1931. He did not live to see the independent state of Israel created.

A Special Resting Place

Greenberg had wished to be cremated and have his ashes buried near Mount Scopus in Palestine, without a religious ceremony. His ashes arrived in Haifa in November 1931. However, the Orthodox religious leaders in Jerusalem said that Jewish law does not allow cremation. Because of this, his ashes could not be buried in a traditional Jewish cemetery.

Letters went back and forth between London and Palestine as his son, Ivan, tried to find a solution. In January 1932, someone suggested burying the ashes in Herbert Bentwich's private garden near Mount Scopus. This idea was also rejected by the religious leaders. By May 1932, the ashes were still in the customs office in Haifa, and officials threatened to remove them.

Finally, with the help of Moshe Sharett (who later became Israel's Foreign Minister and Prime Minister) and Chaim Arlosoroff, a resting place for Greenberg's remains was found. He was buried at Kibbutz Degania, a community by the shore of the Sea of Galilee.