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16 Herzl Hechler Partnership Foundations ✡

‘In a frenzy

of inspiration,

Herzl came

up with the

only solution
to the Jewish

problem of

Europe – “Der

Judenstaat” or

Jewish State.’

A statue in Israel commemo- appeared on the streets of and thinks he can get me an Hechler told him trium-
rates the moment when Vienna when, improbably, audience. phantly. Next we came to the
Herzl presented himself an English clergyman pur- “He is an improbable fig- heart of the business. I said to
to the Kaiser in front of chased and read a copy. ure when looked at through him: “I must put myself into
the world’s press In Hebrew, there are two the quizzical eyes of a Vien- direct and publicly known
words to describe the events nese Jewish journalist, but I relations with a responsible
Herzl came up with, what of life. The first is MIQREH have to imagine that those or non-responsible rule – that
was to him, the only legiti- ( ) – or coincidence. The who are antithetical to us in is, with a minister of state or
mate solution to the Jewish second word is BESHERT every way view him quite dif- a prince. Then the Jews will
problem of Europe. He wrote ( ) – it is intended ferently... To be sure, I think believe in me and follow me.
a short book – more of a long to be. It appears that what I detect from certain signs The most suitable personage
booklet than a book – and followed was an excellent that he is a believer in the would be the German Kaiser.
titled it ‘Der Judenstaat’ (The example of the latter. prophets. He said, for exam- But I must have help if I am to
Jewish State). The improbable English ple, ‘I have only one scruple: carry out the task. Hitherto I
Herzl’s solution was for clergyman who purchased namely, that we must not have had nothing but obsta-
those Jews who wished to and read Theodor Herzl’s contribute anything to the cles to combat, and they are
be truly liberated from op- book was Rev William fulfilment of the prophecy. eating my strength.”
pression, to return and give Hechler. But even this scruple is dis- Incredulously to Herzl,
rebirth to a Jewish State in On 10 March 1896, Herzl pelled, for you began your Hechler responded that he
their ancient Homeland – a recorded in his diary his work without me and would could help.
Homeland the Romans had first meeting with Reverend complete it without me.’” When few believed in
banished them from and Hechler: “The Rev William A week later, Herzl went Herzl’s vision, Hechler and
then renamed Palestine. H Hechler, chaplain to the to see Hechler: “We have Herzl grasped each other’s
Jewish publishers re- British Embassy in Vienna, prepared the ground for you,” hands in common oppor-
fused to publish Herzl’s called on me…
book. Ironically, a Christian “When he read my book,
publisher did. The book he immediately hurried to
Ambassador Monson [British
Ambassador in Vienna] and
Jerry Klinger is the
President of the told him: the fore-ordained
Jewish American movement is here!
Society for Historic “Hechler declares my
Preservation. He is movement to be a ‘biblical’
the son of Holocaust survivors, a one, even though I proceed
former Yeshivah student and has
served in the IDF. He has written rationally in all points.
for publications ranging from the “He wants to place my
Jerusalem Post to the San Diego tract in the hands of some
Jewish World. On 18 July 2017, German princes. He used to
Jerry was the driving force be- be a tutor in the household
hind the creation and dedication
of the first ever memorial to the of the Grand Duke of Baden; www.JASHP.org
SS Exodus in Israel. he knows the German Kaiser