Kokesch, Ozer

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KOKESCH, OZER

KOKESCH, OZER (1860–1905), Austrian Zionist and Herzl's aide. Born in Brody, Galicia, Kokesch practiced law in Vienna. From the early 1880s he was active in the Jewish national movement and was one of the founders of the Jewish students' association *Kadimah. When Herzl appeared on the Zionist scene, Kokesch joined him, becoming the secretary of the committee that made preparations for the First Zionist Congress (he was unable to participate because of an accident). He became a member of the Zionist Executive and laid the foundation for the World and the Austrian Zionist Organizations' structure. Kokesch opposed the *Uganda Scheme and was an active supporter of agricultural settlement in Ereẓ Israel.

bibliography:

A. Bein, Theodore Herzl (Eng., 19622), index; T. Herzl, Complete Diaries, ed. by R. Patai, 5 vols. (1960), index.

[Getzel Kressel]

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