From the Commie Archives (May 20, 1948; Volume 27, Issue 5) — Yeshiva Rejoices at Birth of Israel; Zionists Applaud Historic Occasion
Editor’s Note: Below is one of two articles published six days after the State of Israel declared independence in May 1948, alongside a photo of David Ben-Gurion, its first prime minister. It captures how YU’s president and faculty responded in real time, from enthusiastic celebration to cautious reservations. With Israelis heading to the polls on October 27, 2026, we revisit how our community first reacted to the birth of the state and its new government.
With the establishment of the Jewish state, “Commentator” felt that it would be of interest to record the reactions of various members of our school’s faculty to this historic occasion.
The following are the statements we were able to obtain.
President Samuel Belkin stated:
“With the official proclamation of the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, we join with our brethren throughout the world in rejoicing at this epoch-making event. We pray to the Almighty that the stone which the builders of the world structure often rejected may become the cornerstone of the building. We pray that this small state may become a symbol of justice and righteousness to the persecuted and oppressed of the entire world, and that the Torah shall once more go forth from Zion and the World of the Lord from Jerusalem.
“Above all, we pray that harmony and peace may reign in Zion among all nationalities, and that we American Jews who enjoy a true citizenship of a great democracy may become the spiritual beneficiaries of the rejuvenation of Torah-life and Hebraic civilization in the Land of Israel.”
Dean Pinkhos Churgin of Teachers Institute said:
“All of us should bless the Almighty that we were privileged to witness the rebirth of our people, the reconstruction of our Land, and the realization of the hope that countless generations lived and suffered and died for.
“God has built Zion! That vision which seemed to bystanders in human history remote and futile has now emerged on the mountains of Judah and Zion. Israel has risen from the ashes of oppression to which the desperados of humanity had consigned it. Now with God’s help the people of Israel will again see the light of a free and sovereign nationhood. Israel in the state of Israel will be rejointed to that great destiny marked out by her prophets of antiquity.
“Zion and Israel are reunited and within this reunion there breathes a new life in which the mission of Israel—‘to be a light unto the nations’—will find full fruition.”
Dean Moses L. Isaacs of Yeshiva College, an avowed non-Zionist said:
“The creation of a Jewish state has fulfilled the dreams of many thousands of people, who particularly in the recent past, have been homeless and despairing of having a land of their own. To that extent and for that purpose it deserves to survive.
“At the same time it comes as a disappointment and a let-down in that the statehood has been accomplished not through religion but through the spirit of pure statism. We can only hope that the future will bring a reversal of the relationship of these two forces.”
Dr. Meyer Atlas, assistant professor of biology, said:
“It’s a very important occasion and everybody ought to be very happy about it and support it as much as possible.”
To Dr. Bernard Floch, professor of Greek and Latin, the event brought poignant recollection. Thirty years of teaching in Austria and then sudden expulsion, he said, had refined his palate to fully savour the new Jewish Freedom.
“I see the value not so much in terms of economics and politics but more in terms of psychology. Now Jews will cease to be homeless; they won’t be pushed around. This may turn out to be recompense for all the suffering we had to undergo.”
Dr. Leo Jung, professor of ethics, said:
“It’s a most courageous and significant step and fraught with great responsibility. Under G-d, the Jewish people will see it through. It behooves the nations of the world to recognize it as a small way to rectify a millennial wrong.”
Dr. Eli M. Levine, associate professor of chemistry, said:
“I think it is the most wonderful thing that happened to the Jewish people. Every Jewish young person should join the Haganah and defend the state. If I were young and not married I’d do it myself. I don’t think that it would interfere in any way with my American patriotism.”
Rabbi Samuel K. Mirsky, professor of Bible, said:
“We must learn to live with the Arabs. There must grow a liaison of outlook, of interests. The Hebrew language, because of its semitic character, is an important bond; there must be others.
“We must forget our grievance with the British and orient ourselves toward the Commonwealth. Ultimately Israel’s interests and Albion’s coincide. We should hasten to this conclusion.”
Photo Caption: The Commentator, Volume 27, Issue 5
Photo Credit: YUNews
