As JTS president, Schechter reinvigorated the institution and American Jewish intellectual life by hiring young European scholars like Ginzberg and Friedlaender. Schechter, Friedlaender, and their wives Mathilde Schechter and Lillian Friedlaender became close friends of Szold's. The exhilarating intimacy of her relationship with Ginzberg turned to devastation for Szold when he announced his engagement to another woman.