Born in Birmingham, England, Leopold Jacob (L.J) Greenberg was a noted Anglo-Jewish journalist, and an outspoken champion of Zionism and Jewish nationalism.
A close friend of Theodor Herzl, he was one of the first pioneers of Zionism in England.
L.J Greenberg’s involvement with the Zionist movement started in 1899 when he attended the Third Zionist Congress and became a loyal follower and activist for Herzl.
It was his unbridled enthusiasm that led to his appointment to the Propaganda Committee of the Zionist Organisation, a role he relished.
In 1906 L.J Greenberg became Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, the leading British newspaper for the Jewish community of Great Britain.
It proved a turning point in the vital mission Greenberg had undertaken.
Up to that time, the Chronicle had been very lukewarm about Zionism, preferring to adopt the large public opinion of British Jewry and religious leaders who felt safety in Great Britain and comfort in the acceptance of Jews.
By 1900 some 99% of the Jewish community of Great Britain were indifferent to the Zionist proposal.
Politics and Persuasion
Greenberg was the driving force behind the acquisition of the Jewish Chronicle in 1906 when he heard the Chronicle was in the market for sale.
He recognised British Jewry had only scant interest in Zionism and, being a highly successful advertising agent and committed Zionist, he saw potential in using the newspaper to promote the work of the Zionist movement, its aims and objectives.
So, on 12 December 1906, he wrote to his Dutch friend and fellow Zionist, banker Jacobus Kann, informing him he believed it would be an excellent buy.
Together with a small group of dedicated British Zionists willing to help with finance and his Dutch banker, he raised enough money to buy the newspaper and use the medium to promote the need and urgency for a Jewish homeland.
In addition to the newspaper, he was determined to reach the British Government and fortunately, as a public figure in the British media, Greenberg had several contacts and friends in the political life of Great Britain.
He would enlist these contacts to reach the British Government to introduce the work of the Zionist movement and the urgent need for the creation of a Jewish state.
His first contact was Lord (Arthur) Balfour.
At that time, Balfour was leader of the House of Commons and First Lord of the British Treasury.
As the momentum of the initiative gathered pace, more influential contacts were made such as Joseph Chamberlain, who was Colonial Secretary and Senior Member for Birmingham in the British Government.
Contacts of such importance led to a series of debates in the House of Commons, ultimately leading to the adoption of the Balfour Declaration in 1917.
Leopold Greenberg was a very forthright man who spoke out aggressively on occasions.
He clashed with Chaim Weizmann over the wording in the Balfour Declaration.
Weizmann agreed to the term ‘national home’ for the Jews, but Greenberg insisted on ‘Jewish State’.
Furthermore, he clashed with other members of the Zionist movement and resigned from the group.
Yet, his determination and drive in reaching the British politicians should not be readily overlooked.
He was a driving force in the creation of the Balfour Declaration.
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