Stephen Samuel Wise

Wise, Stephen Samuel (1874–1949), religious leader, Jewish rabbi, and author. He presided as rabbi at the Free Synagogue in New York City, which was founded by him (1922). As a strong supporter of Zionism—belief in the establishment of the Jewish state of Israel—he founded the Federation of American Zionists. Other organizations he helped establish are the Jewish Institute for Religion and the American Jewish Congress. He wrote books—How to Face Life (1917) and The Challenging Years (1949), among others—and edited Opinion, a magazine.

See also: Zionism.