During my later voyages, first for the UJA and The Bonds, and later as Head of Assistance to Developing Countries, around the world I was to meet many important leaders and representatives of important powers , far beyond my own status of Diplomatic or Military standing, in the service of my country, The State of Israel, who was born in a storm of a dramatic war, and since then never ceased being in the international limelight, and this light enhanced her representatives.  

     Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt  was a famous and most respectable figure in the United States , in the United Nations which she helped establish, and over the whole world.  Her keen interest in the Jewish People and the State of Israel was consistent and willing to help in important missions: fundraising for Youth Aliya, for instance, and her willingness to take a side whenever international problems arose.  Even during the times when Israel and the United States did not agree on everything, she never hesitated from criticizing her own country when she was convinced that Israel was justified on an issue.  

     I first met her on her first visit in Israel .  I was enchanted and impressed.  I couldn’t have guessed, though, that I be so fortunate as to meet her again and so soon after, and even gain her personal friendship.  I was posted to our Mission in The United Nations, as a Military Adviser

     Then Headed by Ambassador Abba Eban who was both the Israel Ambassador in Washington, and Head of the Mission to the United Nations in New York .  I came to New York with my family in August l958, renewed all my old acquaintanceships and very quickly made more friends.  One of them was a very famous New York Orthopedic Surgeon called David Gurewitch and his wife Edna.   He had been for many years a close friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, her personal doctor and her financial adviser.  He also accompanied her on her many trips abroad.  The Gurevitches and Mrs. Roosevelt bought a town house in East 74^th st. in New York City , settled in it.  The Gurewitches on one floor, and Mrs. Roosevelt on another.  When we were invited to their house for dinner, soon after our arrival in New York , I was very happy to see Mrs. Roosevelt seated in the middle of the room, with all the other guests around her, listening attentively to her wondrous stories always narrated so very well.  This meeting was followed more meetings, and an occasional acquaintanceship turned into a friendship within the limitations of station and age.

     Anybody who had ever met her, could not but be impressed by her natural authority and welcoming face that emanated from her.  This very special lady had never refused to attend a UJA meeting, even in the remotest towns, which sometimes took more than two hours to reach by plane, or even worse by bus.  This I witnessed with my own eyes when I was scheduled to appear in one of those meetings with her.

I, the younger and much Junior personality, could hardly overcome my anger when after such an arduous trip, only a small number of people showed up for the meeting , and even those came late.  But not so Mrs. Roosevelt.  She smiled throughout the evening, her face shone as usual, and it was obvious that when a project was worth doing in her eyes, it had its own merit under whichever circumstances.

     It was a great lesson for me, which I hastened to adopt, and served me well throughout my life.  

    Some time after this encounter I got an invitation from Mrs. Roosevelt herself to come to dinner in her house.  Before sitting down to dinner, our gracious hostess announced that she had a surprise for us all after the meal, and she will need my help in that.  

     The meal was over.  A package was brought to the table, but the Mezuza that was supposed to be inside had disappeared.  Mrs. Roosevelt’s disappointment was all over her face.  She explained that she intended to put the Mezuza on the entrance to the house in a complete Jewish ceremony, so it will protect all the residents of the house Jews and non-Jews.

I immediately decided that it was up to me to save the situation and see to it that the good intention is carried out that very evening.  I asked permission to leave for some time, when I came back I was holding a Mezuza.  Mrs. Roosevelt’s face brightened.  Everybody wanted to know how I came to get a Mezuza at such a late hour, and in Manhattan .

     I had to admit that I went to the Consulate, which happened to be quite near, East 70^th street in those days, and asked the watchman, who happened to have served under me at some time, to forget I was there and let me in.  I went to the Consul General’s room and removed the Mezuza from his door, justifying myself that the room was guarded anyway, as there was a Mezuza at the entrance.

     The hammer and nails that Mrs. Roosevelt had prepared did not disappear, and the whole dinner party came downstairs.  The ceremony was conducted according to Jewish Religious customs, and the Mezuza was fixed to the entrance door, and there it is to be found until this very day.  

Our friendship continued until her death.  I inherited her friendship with David and Edna Gurewitch.