Isaiah L. Kenen
Encyclopedia
Isaiah Leo "Si" Kenen was the founder of the "American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs" (AZCPA), the forerunner of the modern American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC).
Kenen was born in Canada, on March 7, 1905. His father, born in Kiev
, was an insurance agent. His family was active in the Zionist movement and his father established the first Bnei Zion club in Toronto
and attended the first meetings of the World Zionist Congress. Kenen studied at the University of Toronto
and majored in philosophy
. He married Beatrice Bain, who was also a student at the University of Toronto. They had one son, Peter.
Kenen started working as a journalist at the Toronto Star
and moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1926. He studied law and was admitted to the Ohio Bar association
in 1933. He became active in the Zionist movement and in 1941 became president of the Cleveland Zionist District. In the 1940s, he served as the information director of the Jewish Agency and following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, he served on the Israeli delegation to the United Nations
. Regarding this period he wrote in his book Israel's Defense Line
Regarding the establishment of AIPAC he wrote:
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States...
(AIPAC).
Kenen was born in Canada, on March 7, 1905. His father, born in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, was an insurance agent. His family was active in the Zionist movement and his father established the first Bnei Zion club in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and attended the first meetings of the World Zionist Congress. Kenen studied at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and majored in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. He married Beatrice Bain, who was also a student at the University of Toronto. They had one son, Peter.
Kenen started working as a journalist at the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
and moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1926. He studied law and was admitted to the Ohio Bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1933. He became active in the Zionist movement and in 1941 became president of the Cleveland Zionist District. In the 1940s, he served as the information director of the Jewish Agency and following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, he served on the Israeli delegation to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Regarding this period he wrote in his book Israel's Defense Line
"
Our Jewish community faced a challenge in 1942. Numbed and helpless bystanders as Adolf Hitler waged his demoniacal war against the Jewish
people, embittered by our failure to rouse the democracies to deter Hitler, to rescue and open doors to those who might be saved, American Jews
assumed their responsibility during World War II. Despite the opposition of the Department of State, they made a commitment to establish an independent Jewish state where Jews could live in freedom and security.
Regarding the establishment of AIPAC he wrote:
"The lobby for Israel, known as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) since 1959, came into existence in 1951. It was established at that time because Israel needed American economic assistance to enable her to absorb the huge influx of refugees who poured into the country soon after statehood."