Israel Fine, Poet, Zionist, Friend of Roosevelt, Dead

Israel Fine, widely known as a Hebrew poet, an intimate friend of President Roosevelt and also well-known for his Zionist activities, was buried yesterday afternoon in the Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery. Mr. Fine, who was 83 years old, died Sunday night at his home here of the infirmities of age.

A native of Russia, Mr. Fine came to the United States in 1891. Ten years later, on his election to the Zionist Congress in London, he went to Europe to take part in the Palestine movement.

Mr. Fine received wide notice for his writings. In 1922 he was informed by the Smithsonian Institute of Washington that his “Ode to America,” written in Hebrew on the occasion of the centennial celebration of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1914, had been put on exhibition in the American history section of the national museum.

Through his association with President Roosevelt, Mr. Fine was the recipient of many favors. He carried the President’s autograph in his spectacle case. This won him a spectator’s seat in the Turkish Parliament after the meetings had been closed to foreigners.

Mr. Fine was well known for his philanthropy and his writings. On his seventy-ninth birthday he announced the donation of a home in Palestine as the first unit of an agricultural school for girls. He gave a large tract for the school after his return from the Holy Land. It was his practice to distribute checks to the needy on his birthday.

Mr. Fine was engaged in the clothing business in Baltimore until he retired a good many years ago. He had commendatory letters from President Roosevelt, Cardinal Gibbons and the former German Emperor.