Wise, Stephen Samuel (1874–1949)

Hungarian-born US religious leader. Ordained as a reform rabbi 1893, he served congregations in New York City 1893–1900 and Portland, Oregon, 1900–07, after which he became rabbi of the Free Synagogue in New York. He was president of the American Jewish Congress 1924–49.

Born in Budapest, Wise emigrated to the USA with his family 1875. Educated at the City College of New York, he received a PhD from Columbia University 1901. An ardent Zionist, he attended the Versailles Peace Conference 1919.

His autobiography, Challenging Years, appeared 1949.