Moses Montefiore
Sir Moses Haim Montefiore, born in 1784, was a prominent British financier, philanthropist, and advocate for Jewish communities globally. He came from a lineage of Sephardic Jewish bankers and experienced a diverse upbringing, having been born in Italy and educated privately in London. After facing early financial setbacks in his career, he found success in the stock market following his marriage to Judith Cohen, which connected him to influential Jewish business circles. Montefiore later became a staunch supporter of Orthodox Judaism and dedicated himself to philanthropy and the welfare of Jewish communities, particularly in Palestine.
His notable humanitarian efforts included several journeys across Europe and the Middle East to advocate for oppressed Jews, where he achieved significant successes, such as securing the release of Jews wrongfully imprisoned in Damascus. Montefiore's work not only garnered him respect and recognition among Jewish and non-Jewish communities but also contributed to the early foundations of Zionism. Upon his death, he left a substantial estate, much of which supported charitable causes, further solidifying his legacy as a figure of compassion and leadership in Jewish history. His life exemplifies the potential for bridging cultural divides and fostering solidarity among diverse communities.
Subject Terms
Moses Montefiore
British banker
- Born: October 24, 1784
- Birthplace: Livorno (now in Italy)
- Died: July 28, 1885
- Place of death: near Ramsgate, Kent, England
Montefiore’s wealth enabled him to advance in English society further than any Jew had previously. He became one of the best-known Jews of the nineteenth century, and his example helped foster Jewish acceptance in Christian society.
Sources of wealth: Banking; investments
Bequeathal of wealth: Charity
Early Life
Sir Moses Haim Montefiore, Baronet, better known as Moses Montefiore (mon-teh-FYOR-ee), was born in 1784 to London businessman Joseph Elias Montefiore and his wife Rachel, who was from the Moccata family of London-based Sephardic Jewish bankers. Montefiore was born on a family visit to Livorno, Italy, where his paternal grandfather had lived before moving to London around 1750. He was educated privately. Subsequent evidence of Montefiore’s lax religious observance during his early adulthood indicates that his upbringing and education did not heavily emphasize Jewish piety. He worked for a tea company in London, and he was admitted to the London Stock Exchange in 1803.
First Ventures
Montefiore’s early career on the stock exchange was not auspicious. In 1806, he was defrauded, incurring debts it would take nearly a decade to pay off. His fortunes began to improve after June 10, 1812, when Montefiore married Judith Cohen, the daughter of Levi Barant Cohen and the sister-in-law of Nathan Mayer Rothschild. These connections to London’s Jewish business elite proved the making of his fortune. Montefiore was particularly advantaged because he was a Sephardic Jew, and his new wife was an Ashkenazic Jew, so the couple was able to move between London’s Jewish communities. Montefiore became Rothschild’s principal stockbroker and underwrote the loans Rothschild floated. Montefiore eventually began to speculate on his own account, with remarkable success. He became a director on many corporate boards, and he was a major stockholder in the Imperial Continental Gas Association, which helped install gas lighting in European cities.
Mature Wealth
In 1827, Montefiore visited Palestine. After the visit he became a strictly observant Orthodox Jew, who strongly opposed the spread of Reform Judaism in Great Britain. During the 1830’s, Montefiore continued to shift his interests from business to philanthropy and Jewish communal affairs. Montefiore became well known for his charity to both Jewish and other beneficiaries, particularly in the town of Ramsgate, Kent, where he had his country estate. He was honored with the position of sheriff of the city of London (1837-1838) and was made a baronet in 1846.
Montefiore was best known in his time for his many journeys made on behalf of oppressed Jews in Europe and the Middle East. The first of these trips was to Damascus in 1840, where he secured the release of Jews held for the murder of a Catholic priest. Among the other places he went to assist Jews were the Vatican, Morocco, Russia, and Romania. He visited Palestine six more times and helped foster the economic development of the Jewish community there, hoping to render the Jews less dependent on foreign donations. He also helped establish the first Jewish community outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and built a windmill to grind flour for the citizens of this community. This windmill remains standing in the twenty-first century and is a historical landmark. In addition to providing Montefiore with the time and transportation necessary for these trips, his wealth gave him access to many world leaders. Montefiore’s efforts on behalf of persecuted Jews and his long life made him a hero among many Jewish communities.
Legacy
Montefiore left an estate of about £375,000. As he died without heirs, much of this money was left to charity or was bequeathed to servants. His landed property in Ramsgate was retained as a memorial to his wife, Lady Judith. Montefiore’s wealth, generosity, and long life made him an international celebrity, revered by Jews and non-Jews alike. His many journeys helped spread awareness of anti-Semitism and fostered solidarity among Jews in different countries. Montefiore’s concern for the Jewish community of Palestine contributed to the growth of Zionism after his death. His acceptance by the English elite demonstrated that an Orthodox Jew could be an English aristocrat and paved the way for closer ties between the Jewish and non-Jewish British upper classes.
Bibliography
Green, Abigail. “Rethinking Sir Moses Montefiore: Religion, Nationhood, and International Philanthropy in the Nineteenth Century.” American Historical Review 110 (2005): 631-658.
Lipman, Sonia, and V. D. Lipman, eds. The Century of Moses Montefiore. New York: Oxford University Press, 1985.
Salmon, Yosef. Religion and Zionism: First Encounters. Jerusalem: Hebrew University Magnes Press, 2002.