[Jewish True Tales] Teddy Kollek

[Lawrence J. Epstein]

[http://jewishtruetales.com]

Teddy Kollek (1911-2007). The mayor of Jerusalem from 1965-1993, Kollek was before that deeply involved in helping in the birth of Israel. Perhaps his most important task was to raise money to pay for weapons that Zionist leaders couldn't purchase on the open market. In 1947, the leaders of the Czech government were willing to provide the desperately needed weapons, but they required a large, immediate payment.

Kollek was placed in charge of raising the money. He met in New York at the Hotel Fourteen with a few friends. They were racing against time, searching tirelessly for someone who was wealthy enough and willing to help. One of those present, textile merchant Joseph Shulman, knew William Levitt. At the time, Levitt was mass-producing houses in Levittown on Long Island. Shulman arranged a meeting between Kollek and Levitt at the Levitt offices on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset.

Kollek, then as later was a blunt man. He had a lot of people to protect, and he had no time for small talk. "We need money," he told the builder. "I can't tell you what it's for. But if you'll lend us the money the provisional government of the State of Israel will give you a note and pay you back in a year."

Kollek asked for a million dollars. He offered no collateral, no interest, and no certainty that the money would in fact ever be returned.

Levitt gave him the money on the spot.

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Posted By Lawrence J. Epstein to Jewish True Tales at 2/24/2011 12:59:00 PM