Harry Levine Papers
Scope and Content Note
This collection primarily deals with HL's contributions to the Weizmann Institute of Science as a donor and board member, and his role in establishing the State of Israel. Two transcripted interviews with HL detail his meeting with Haim Slavin, the agent for David Ben-Gurion, and subsequent establishment of a munitions factory in then British-Mandated Palestine and the use of the weapons in the Israeli military force. The collection also deals with the establishment of the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Harry and Leona Levine Institute of Applied Science at the Institute. Correspondence includes letters from Golda Meir, David Ben-Gurion, Chaim Weizmann, Clarence Berger and Meyer Weisgal. The photographs include pictures of Dewey D. Stone, David Ben-Gurion, Hubert Humphrey, Golda Meir, Chaim Weizmann, Abba Eban, and Albert Sabin.
Dates
- undated, 1944-1977
Creator
- Levine, Harry, 1895-1977 (Person)
Language of Materials
The collection is in English and Hebrew.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Biographical Note
Harry Levine was born in New York, New York on August 1, 1895. He was educated in New York public schools and at the College of the City of New York. After serving in the U.S. Navy mine force from 1917 to 1919, he worked at the Commonwealth Plastic Company and the New England Plastic Company in Leominster, MA, and later served as President and Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Plastic and Chemical Company.
In 1919, Levine married Hannah (maiden name unknown, died 1941). They had three children: Irwin, Morton, and Barbara. In 1942, Levine married Leona Edelstein.
Levine was introduced to Zionism by Elihu D. Stone and influenced by Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis. He was largely responsible for overseeing the construction and import of Uzi submachine guns into British-Mandated Palestine for the purpose of establishing the State of Israel. Levine was a friend of Israeli President Dr. Chaim Weizmann and a charter member of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, as well as the major contributor (with Leona Levine) of the Harry and Leona Levine Institute of Applied Science of the Weizmann Institute. Harry Levine died on May 1, 1977.
Chronology
- 1895
- HL born in New York City
- 1917
- Serves in U.S. Naval Mine Force in the North Sea
- 1919
- Marries Hannah (last name unknown)
- 1923
- Moves to Leominster, MA to work in the plastics industry
- 1935
- Becomes a Zionist
- 1937
- Co-founder of Camp Young Judea, Zionist Youth Camp
- 1941
- Wife Hannah dies
- 1942
- Marries Leona Edelstein
- 1944
- Charter Member and Treasurer for the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
- 1945
- Meets Haim Slavin, agent of David Ben-Gurion
- 1946
- Serves as President of New England Plastics and Commonwealth Plastic
- 1946
- Begins mobilizing arms for Jews of Mandated Palestine before establishment of the State of Israel
- 1949
- Founds the Serafon Plastics Factory in Rehovot, Israel
- 1952
- Serves as President and Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Plastic and Chemical Company
- 1961
- Donor for the Harry and Leona Levine Institute of Applied Science at the Weizmann Institute of Science
- 1977
- HL dies
Extent
.5 linear feet (1 half-manuscript box)
Abstract
Harry Levine was the Massachusetts President and Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Plastic and Chemical Company. He was highly involved in the establishment of the State of Israel, primarily related to his facilitating the construction and import of Uzi submachine guns into then British-Mandated Palestine. The majority of this collection includes transcribed interviews with Levine, photographs and correspondence. Biographical information, certificates, speeches and news articles are also included.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition information is unknown.
Processing Information
Processed by Margaret Whiteside, 2008
- Title
- Guide to the Harry Levine Papers, P-592
- Author
- Processed by Margaret Whiteside
- Date
- 2008
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Sponsor
- Processed by Margaret Whiteside, Schilder Assistant Archivist, made possible by a grant from the Schilder Family Fund. This collection has been digitized, made possible by a grant from the Trustees u/w of Herman Dana.
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository