Chaim Weizmann

Chaim Weizmann (wikipedia) (Photo: MENDELSON HUGO, 03/26/1949)(Government Press Office))

In our lives we are surrounded and influenced by many people, some influence us in a negative way others in a positive way. However, some people who at first glance may seem like ordinary people have done extraordinary things for others and society. Without these amazing people who truly care about others and in many cases, sacrifice things dear to them for the greater good many of us would not be here today. These people who impact everybody around them in a positive way are called heroes. I believe Chaim Weizmann is one of these people.

Chaim Weizmann was born on November 27, 1874 in Motal, Russia (today a part of Belarus) to Oizer and Rachel Weizmann. Until the age of 11 he studied at a Jewish elementary school. When Chaim turned 11 he went to a high school near Pinsk. During his time in high school he was encouraged by his teachers to pursue scientific research due to his aptitude for science. Upon graduating high school, Chaim Weizmann chose to continue his studies in Germany and Switzerland. In 1899 he was awarded a Ph.D. in organic chemistry. After earning his Ph.D. he began teaching chemistry in Geneva where he met his wife Vera Weizmann. In 1904 Chaim and Vera settled in Manchester, Great Britain where Chaim taught chemistry in the University of Manchester. Around this time Chaim began his involvement in the Zionist movement. The people should live in the Holy Land with the added intention of making it a Jewish country so that Jewish people around the world could settle there and live in peace.

Faisal I and Chaim Weizmann (left) (1918) (http://roadtostatehood.org/Images/unit10.weizmann.feisal.jpg) ()

Chaim Weizmann's first heroic action was during The Great War. The British army was in a dire need for acetone which is a key component in cordite. Through tireless research he succeeded in finding a way to extract it from maize. I believe this is a heroic action because not only did he help the British he also made a scientific breakthrough which is still helpful to modern day chemists. Chaim's next heroic action was his major role in the negotiations that resulted in the Balfour Declaration. The Balfour Declaration is a ruling in which the British government declared that it would allow the Jewish people to settle what was at that time the territory of Palestine and eventually form a Jewish independent nation. After the Balfour Declaration, Chaim focused on promoting Zionism to other British Jews and British politicians. I believe this is a truly heroic action because Weizmann was not afraid to stand up for himself and fight for the right of his people to have an independent country. After many Jewish settlers came to Israel, Chaim signed the Faisal-Weizmann Agreement with Prince Faisal of Hejaz. The agreement stated that the Arabs and Jews should live in peace and harmony with each other. I consider this to be a heroic act because, even though this treaty did not last by the time Israel declared independence, Chaim's ability to negotiate is a talent many of us lack and he used it for the sake of peace which is a moral goal.

In 1948 Chaim Weizmann was elected to represent Israeli interests to the American Congress and President. His intervention led to the American recognition of Israel as a legitimate state and led the Americans to grant Israel a hundred-million-dollar loan. I believe this makes Weizmann a hero because, by convincing president Truman to grant Israel this loan, he saved Israel from defeat during Israel's War of Independence.

Chaim Weizmann (https://alchetron.com/Chaim-Weizmann-1236801-W)

In conclusion, I feel Chaim Weizmann is a true hero. Not only was he a great diplomat and scientist but he saved many lives and was one of the founders of Israel. As an Israeli, my life has been truly impacted by Chaim Weizmann's work because without his heroic deeds the country I live in today would not exist..In fact, I might not have even been born! Furthermore, I believe scientific studies are very important because scientific and technological breakthroughs truly help mankind as a whole and Chaim Weizmann's scientific studies were no exception.