Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, 1874-1949

A native of Hungary who immigrated to the United States as a toddler, Wise co-founded the New York Federation of Zionist Societies in 1897 and the Federation of Zionist Societies in 1898 and launched the American Jewish Congress in 1920. He was the president of the World Zionist Movement from 1936 to 1938. He helped persuade President Woodrow Wilson to endorse the Balfour Declaration in 1919.

Photo: Harris & Ewing, Library of Congress