Max Nordau Meeting Herzl Rare Letter from the Second Zionist Congress, Basel, August 29, 1898.

“It will continue. Without us, against us, differently than we dream. But it will continue.”

A rare historical document: a handwritten and signed letter by Max Nordau, written during the Second Zionist Congress in Basel and dated August 29, 1898.

In this deeply personal letter to his wife, Nordau describes his close interaction with Theodor Herzl, the chaotic scenes at the Congress, the heated disputes among delegates, and the immense emotional pressure of those historic days. It sheds light on the inner struggles, tensions, and hopes at the heart of the early Zionist Congress, offering a rare personal perspective from one of the movement’s founding leaders.

Max Nordau (1849–1923), together with Herzl, was one of the co-founders of the World Zionist Organization. Known for his brilliant writings, Nordau gave voice to the cultural and political aspirations of Jewish communities at the dawn of modern Zionism. His vision, energy, and uncompromising belief in the necessity of a Jewish homeland made him one of the most influential zionist leaders and early figures.

Scroll down for a full English translation of the letter

Translation- 

Basel, Hotel Bâle
Monday, August 29, 1898, 8:00 a.m.

My dearest Ania,

This morning I received both your Saturday evening card and your Sunday afternoon letter — naturally, they arrived together.
I am writing to you now, recalling as best as my poor head allows the little details you mentioned, and which I have written to you twice as well.

Since there is no postal delivery on Sunday evenings, you will certainly receive two letters from me this morning.

The episode with your mother frightened you — it frightened me too.
One must protect a beloved angel from forbidden love.

Last night I slept better: from a quarter past eleven to a quarter past four — more than five uninterrupted hours.
Afterwards, I barely slept at all.
Nevertheless, I feel somewhat better.
Though I still cannot eat, cannot drink — as you, my dear, would say — and my poor body is struggling to return to some semblance of order.

Today will be another difficult day.
Herzl has just sent a messenger to inform me that I must cancel the Greek theater festival.
I must preside over the morning session — a pity.

You are skeptical, and so am I at times.
Yet, I hold the conviction that happiness will endure.
Without us, between us, among others who still believe in dreams — it will endure.
There is such tragic misery among the vast majority who do not see.

And now — old Schwartz is arriving.
It will take me at least fifteen minutes to get rid of him!

2:30 p.m.

I quickly dismissed Schwartz and went to the Congress, where the usual speakers were rehearsing for half an hour.
Ten or twenty people spoke all at once — it seemed like a madhouse.

I met Mr. Greenberg, a small and rather insignificant man.
Then two men from Riga presented me, on behalf of their city, with a small gold medal to give to Max, should his faith permit him to accept a gift from me.

Later, the session began.
Dr. Luria proposed a topic for discussion, and then an awful uproar broke out:
They nearly tore each other to pieces, shouting “spy,” “traitor,” “informer,” and so on.
The accused fled and hid behind our presidium table.
I spoke to him as gently as I could, but it was of no use.
After a chaos beyond description, we finally managed to bury the matter.

I have not seen Mr. Dalines since that moving scene.
Perhaps he has left Congress and Basel altogether — how sad it is.

I stayed at the session until 1:50, closed it, and returned to the hotel, accompanied by Mr. Delbail and the crowd.

Alone, I intended to eat some soup and steak with potatoes —

But from a nearby table, an American woman, identifying herself as a Jewess, rose and sat at my table, pouring out her idealistic Zionist heart, thus preventing me from eating.
After a while, I managed, politely, to make her leave.
She stays at the same hotel, “Hof.”
It was my first time there today — and already people are starting to gossip about me.

The afternoon session will begin at 4:30 and will likely be very heated, due to the issue of the colonies.
Feelings on this matter are extremely strong…

They are ready to tear each other apart over the smallest things — almost to murder.

Now I will rest a little, then proofread my speech, and return to the Congress to review the latest news and decisions.

Today I also spoke briefly with Mr. Marcus (Aaron Marcus)—
Perhaps the most interesting man at the Congress.

I read Dalines the two lines you wrote to him and his wife, along with the story of the mysterious “Dalines children” that Max thought he saw — and he was charmed and delighted.

Since Thursday, I have not seen a single newspaper.
God knows what is happening in both worlds.
I hope you are reading occasionally, even if only the official reports from Congress.

Soon I will write you again.

A thousand kisses, my beloved,

Max