Jew Got To Be Kidding Me

The Sonneborn 18: The Quiet Network Behind a Turning Point in History

The Sonneborn 18 (also called the Sonneborn Group or the founders of the Sonneborn Institute) refers to a small, secretive meeting of approximately 18 prominent American Jewish businessmen and philanthropists held on July 1, 1945, in the Manhattan apartment of Rudolf G. Sonneborn. This gathering occurred just weeks after the end of World War II in Europe (VE Day was May 8, 1945) and Nazi Germany's surrender.

David Ben-Gurion, the de facto leader of the Jewish community in Mandatory Palestine (the Yishuv), attended along with aides. He urged the group to provide urgent material and financial support to arm and supply the Haganah (the main Jewish underground defense force) in anticipation of the coming struggle for Jewish statehood. Britain still controlled Palestine under the Mandate and restricted Jewish immigration and arms, so much of the effort operated clandestinely to skirt U.S. neutrality laws and British restrictions.

The meeting led directly to the creation of the Sonneborn Institute (sometimes called "Materials for Israel"), a covert American support network that functioned as the U.S. logistical and fundraising arm for the Haganah. It raised millions of dollars, procured weapons, ships, vehicles, and supplies, and helped facilitate illegal immigration (Aliyah Bet) of Holocaust survivors. One of its most famous contributions was helping purchase and outfit the ship that became the Exodus 1947, whose dramatic story later galvanized international sympathy for the Zionist cause. The Institute operated discreetly from 1945 until after Israel's founding in 1948, evolving into more public efforts like Israel Bonds campaigns. Ben-Gurion reportedly viewed the meeting as one of the most pivotal moments in the lead-up to Israel's independence.

Rudolf Sonneborn and His Company

Rudolf Goldschmid Sonneborn (1898–1986) was a Baltimore-born industrialist, Zionist activist, and the host of the meeting. He led the family business, L. Sonneborn Sons Inc., a successful petroleum, lubricants, and chemicals company. He was deeply involved in Zionist causes from the 1910s onward, including service on the Zionist Commission to Palestine in 1919. Sonneborn later married into the prominent Schiff banking family and continued fundraising for Israel into the 1950s.

The Other Members and Their Backgrounds

Historical accounts identify a core group of wealthy American Jews from business, finance, real estate, and philanthropy who formed the backbone of this effort. Their combined expertise enabled rapid mobilization of resources across multiple sectors.

• William Levitt — Real estate development and logistics support
• Jacob Blaustein — Oil industry leadership and philanthropy
• Charles Gutwirth — Diamond trade and high-value commodities
• Henry Montor — Fundraising and organizational leadership
• Shepard Broad — Banking and financial backing
• Albert Schiff — Banking networks
• Eli Cohn, James Permutt — Financial operations
• Julius Figelman, Philip Lown, Adolph Hamburger — Industrial and manufacturing supply
• Harold Goldenberg, Barney Rapport — Commerce and trade channels
• Julius "Rusty" Jarcho, Max Livingston — Shipping and logistics coordination
• Samuel Cherr — Advertising and community mobilization
• Joel Gross — Legal guidance

These individuals were not a formal organization but a network of influential figures who pooled resources at a critical historical moment. Their efforts supplemented official policy and helped prepare the Haganah for the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

The Postwar Moment: Why This Meeting Mattered

In 1945, Europe was devastated and millions were displaced. Among them were large numbers of Jewish survivors with limited options for resettlement. British restrictions on immigration to Palestine created a bottleneck, intensifying the urgency for action.

Ben-Gurion approached the situation operationally—focusing on movement, defense, and infrastructure. The Sonneborn Group contributed by leveraging private networks in finance, shipping, and industry to meet those needs.

Clandestine Logistics and the Birth of a Supply Network

The Sonneborn Institute distinguished itself through execution as much as fundraising. It facilitated:

• Acquisition of surplus World War II equipment
• Refitting and procurement of transport ships
• Movement of goods through complex international channels
• Coordination between U.S.-based supporters and operatives abroad

Many of these activities operated in legal gray areas, reflecting the tension between urgency and regulatory constraints.

The Exodus 1947: A Symbol Beyond Strategy

The Exodus 1947 became a defining symbol of the era. Carrying thousands of Jewish refugees, it was intercepted by British forces and returned to Europe. The incident drew widespread international attention and contributed to shifting public opinion regarding Jewish immigration and statehood.

From Secrecy to Statehood

By the time Israel declared independence in 1948, many logistical and financial systems established by the Sonneborn network were already functioning. These included funding channels, procurement systems, and transportation networks.

Following independence, these efforts transitioned into more formal and public initiatives such as Israel Bonds and expanded philanthropic campaigns.

Legacy and Interpretation

The story of the Sonneborn 18 raises enduring questions about the role of private networks in international affairs, the boundaries of legality in times of crisis, and the impact of coordinated private action on global events.

Further Reading

• The Pledge by Leonard Slater
• Biographies of David Ben-Gurion
• The Time Has Come by Charles Sonneborn