Chaim Weizmann

Chaim Weizmann - Former President of Israel, Family and Life

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Chaim Weizmann Biography Stories 

Chaim Weizmann's Personal Details

The famous scientist is known for his discovery of the industrial fermentation

InformationDetail
BirthdayNovember 27, 1874
Died onNovember 9, 1952
NationalityBritish
FamousLeaders, Presidents, Chemists, Organic Chemists, Former President of Israel
SpousesVera Weizmann
SiblingsMaria Weizman
Known asChaim Azriel Weizmann, Chaim Weizmann
ChildrensMichael Oser Weizmann
Universities
  • University of Fribourg
  • Center for Advanced Security Research Darmstadt
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Democratic Zionist Fraction
  • Weizmann Institute of Science
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Birth PlaceMotal
ReligionJudaism
GenderMale
Sun SignSagittarius
Born inMotal
Famous asFormer President of Israel
Died at Age77

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Chaim Weizmann's photo

Who is Chaim Weizmann?

Chaim Weizmann was born into a large Jewish family and cherished his faith and cultural identity throughout his life. He went abroad as a young adult to study science seriously, finally settling in the United Kingdom to begin his career teaching chemistry. He is responsible for the discovery of industrial fermentation, in which a certain mixture of chemicals is used to mass produce another substance. This discovery greatly aided the war efforts for Britain and gained Weizmann the respect of many British cabinet members. He used his new found influence here to champion his Zionist cause. He was of the opinion that the Jewish people needed a home and that Jerusalem should be it. He fought his whole life to bring Jewish education to Palestine and served as President for many pro-Zionist organizations in Britain and worldwide. Because of these efforts, he was chosen as the first President of Israel. Though the position was mostly ceremonial he used it to promote Israel on a global platform. A staunch advocate of the Zionist cause all his life, Chaim Weizmann continued to work for a separate land for Jews all throughout his life. His contribution to the scientific community is commemorated by the University of Manchester which gives an annual award named after the famous scientist.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born to Rachel, a housewife, and Oizer Czermerinsky Weizmann, a timber merchant. He was one of fifteen children.

In 1892, he left what is now Belarus to study chemistry in Germany at the age of 18. He studied at the ‘Polytechnic Institute of Darmstadt’ and then at the ‘Technische Hochschule’ Berlin. He finally he earned his PhD in organic chemistry from the ‘University of Fribourg’ in Switzerland.

Career

In 1901, he began his teaching career at the ‘University of Geneva’ and went on to be a senior lecturer at the ‘University of Manchester’ in England three years later. It was here he became a leader for the British Zionists.

Also in 1901, he teamed up with Martin Buber and Berthold Feiwel to lobby for a Jewish school in Palestine. It took 11 years, but eventually the ‘Technion – Israel Institute of Technology’ was established.

It was during his time at the ‘University of Manchester’ (roughly beginning in 1904) where he discovered how to use bacterial fermentation to make more of a given substance. This scientific practice is now known as ‘acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation’ and proved very useful during WWI.

His scientific discovery of industrial fermentation earned him the respect of British cabinet members who were then more sympathetic to his Zionistic goals. In 1907, he visited Jerusalem and helped found the ‘Palestine Land Development Company’, a more practical approach to his Zionism.

Ten years later in 1917, he worked with Alfred Balfour as the President of the ‘British Zionist Federation’ to create the ‘Balfour Declaration.’ This supported the idea that Palestine should be the natural home for Jewish people. Weizmann released a statement defending his form of Zionism, saying there was nothing malicious about it – simply a Jewish longing for home.

He initiated a peace treaty in 1919, and an agreement was signed with the Arabic Prince Faisal that hoped to establish a positive relationship between Arabs and Jews.

In 1920, he was named president of the ‘World Zionist Organization’ and worked with Albert Einstein to fundraise for a Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

The ‘Daniel Sieff Research Institute’ endowed by Zionists was created in 1934. Weizmann did research in the laboratories here. He was also President in-charge of the organization.

In 1936, he spoke on the loss of support for the Zionist cause throughout the past decade and attempted to stir passions as he claimed there were 6,000,000 Jews that were forbidden from living from many places in this world.

This movement turned into the Jewish Brigade during the Second World War and fought on the Italian front. However, the rising violence in Palestine discouraged Weizmann from the movement and his influence within the group began to slip.

In 1949, he was elected President of Israel, the first one ever for this country. This position was largely ceremonial, but he was able to meet with US President Harry Truman and convince him to recognize the newly formed state of Israel. He held this position until his death.

Major Works

In 1904 and the following years, he began his discovery of industrial fermentation. This discovery allowed substances to be mass-produced more easily using a chemical formula. This greatly aided British efforts in World War I and gained him respect from Churchill and his aides.

Throughout his life, he was a champion for leading the Zionist cause. In 1920, he served as president for their worldwide alliance.

In 1949, he was chosen to be the first president of Israel. He convinced the US and many other countries to recognize Israel as a serious new state, although the position was largely ceremonial.

Awards & Achievements

Multiple times in the 1920s, he was reelected as honorary president of the British Zionists. After being a champion for the Zionist cause his whole life, he was asked to be the first president of Israel.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Vera Weizmann in 1906 and they had two children together, Benjamin and Michael. Michael was killed fighting in the Royal Air Force during World War II when his plane was shot down.

Ezer Weizmann, his nephew, became president of Israel following in his uncle’s footsteps.

In 1949, the ‘Daniel Sieff Research Institute’ was renamed the ‘Weizmann Institute of Science’ in his honor. He published ‘Trial and Error: The Autobiography of Chaim Weizmann’ in the same year.

The ‘University of Manchester’ awards ‘The Weizmann Prize for Biochemistry’ annually for an undergraduate senior showing promise in the field.

Trivia

This famous personality earned his British citizenship in 1910 but gave it up 38 years later to assume his role of President of Israel.

His Jewish culture was predominant in every area of this famous personality’s life; he even met his wife Vera at a meeting for their school’s Zionist club.

The famous politician was ill in a hotel room in New York City when he found out about and accepted his nomination for President of Israel.

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Chaim Weizmann biography timelines

  • // 27th Nov 1874
    He was born to Rachel, a housewife, and Oizer Czermerinsky Weizmann, a timber merchant. He was one of fifteen children.
  • // 1892
    In 1892, he left what is now Belarus to study chemistry in Germany at the age of 18. He studied at the ‘Polytechnic Institute of Darmstadt’ and then at the ‘Technische Hochschule’ Berlin. He finally he earned his PhD in organic chemistry from the ‘University of Fribourg’ in Switzerland.
  • // 1901
    In 1901, he began his teaching career at the ‘University of Geneva’ and went on to be a senior lecturer at the ‘University of Manchester’ in England three years later. It was here he became a leader for the British Zionists.
  • // 1901
    Also in 1901, he teamed up with Martin Buber and Berthold Feiwel to lobby for a Jewish school in Palestine. It took 11 years, but eventually the ‘Technion – Israel Institute of Technology’ was established.
  • // 1904
    It was during his time at the ‘University of Manchester’ (roughly beginning in 1904) where he discovered how to use bacterial fermentation to make more of a given substance. This scientific practice is now known as ‘acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation’ and proved very useful during WWI.
  • // 1904
    In 1904 and the following years, he began his discovery of industrial fermentation. This discovery allowed substances to be mass-produced more easily using a chemical formula. This greatly aided British efforts in World War I and gained him respect from Churchill and his aides.
  • // 1906
    He married Vera Weizmann in 1906 and they had two children together, Benjamin and Michael. Michael was killed fighting in the Royal Air Force during World War II when his plane was shot down.
  • // 1907
    His scientific discovery of industrial fermentation earned him the respect of British cabinet members who were then more sympathetic to his Zionistic goals. In 1907, he visited Jerusalem and helped found the ‘Palestine Land Development Company’, a more practical approach to his Zionism.
  • // 1910
    This famous personality earned his British citizenship in 1910 but gave it up 38 years later to assume his role of President of Israel.
  • // 1917
    Ten years later in 1917, he worked with Alfred Balfour as the President of the ‘British Zionist Federation’ to create the ‘Balfour Declaration.’ This supported the idea that Palestine should be the natural home for Jewish people. Weizmann released a statement defending his form of Zionism, saying there was nothing malicious about it – simply a Jewish longing for home.
  • // 1919
    He initiated a peace treaty in 1919, and an agreement was signed with the Arabic Prince Faisal that hoped to establish a positive relationship between Arabs and Jews.
  • // 1920
    In 1920, he was named president of the ‘World Zionist Organization’ and worked with Albert Einstein to fundraise for a Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
  • // 1920
    Throughout his life, he was a champion for leading the Zionist cause. In 1920, he served as president for their worldwide alliance.
  • // 1934
    The ‘Daniel Sieff Research Institute’ endowed by Zionists was created in 1934. Weizmann did research in the laboratories here. He was also President in-charge of the organization.
  • // 1936
    In 1936, he spoke on the loss of support for the Zionist cause throughout the past decade and attempted to stir passions as he claimed there were 6,000,000 Jews that were forbidden from living from many places in this world.
  • // 1949
    In 1949, he was elected President of Israel, the first one ever for this country. This position was largely ceremonial, but he was able to meet with US President Harry Truman and convince him to recognize the newly formed state of Israel. He held this position until his death.
  • // 1949
    In 1949, he was chosen to be the first president of Israel. He convinced the US and many other countries to recognize Israel as a serious new state, although the position was largely ceremonial.
  • // 1949
    In 1949, the ‘Daniel Sieff Research Institute’ was renamed the ‘Weizmann Institute of Science’ in his honor. He published ‘Trial and Error: The Autobiography of Chaim Weizmann’ in the same year.

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Chaim Weizmann's FAQ

  • What is Chaim Weizmann birthday?

    Chaim Weizmann was born at 1874-11-27

  • When was Chaim Weizmann died?

    Chaim Weizmann was died at 1952-11-09

  • Where was Chaim Weizmann died?

    Chaim Weizmann was died in Rehovot

  • Which age was Chaim Weizmann died?

    Chaim Weizmann was died at age 77

  • Where is Chaim Weizmann's birth place?

    Chaim Weizmann was born in Motal

  • What is Chaim Weizmann nationalities?

    Chaim Weizmann's nationalities is British

  • Who is Chaim Weizmann spouses?

    Chaim Weizmann's spouses is Vera Weizmann

  • Who is Chaim Weizmann siblings?

    Chaim Weizmann's siblings is Maria Weizman

  • Who is Chaim Weizmann childrens?

    Chaim Weizmann's childrens is Michael Oser Weizmann

  • What was Chaim Weizmann universities?

    Chaim Weizmann studied at University of Fribourg, Center for Advanced Security Research Darmstadt

  • Which company or organization was founded by Chaim Weizmann?

    Chaim Weizmann was the founder/co-founder of Democratic Zionist Fraction, Weizmann Institute of Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

  • What is Chaim Weizmann's religion?

    Chaim Weizmann's religion is Judaism

  • What is Chaim Weizmann's sun sign?

    Chaim Weizmann is Sagittarius

  • How famous is Chaim Weizmann?

    Chaim Weizmann is famouse as Former President of Israel