Montefiore, Sir Moses (1784-1885)

Sir Moses was born in Leghorn. He was brought up in London, where he was taught elementary Hebrew by his mother's brother.

Business wise, he first apprenticed to a firms of grocers and tea merchants. Montefiore left to become one of the 12 "Jew brokers" in the City of London. After initial setbacks, he went into partnership with his brother Abraham and they established a fine reputation.

In 1812, Montefiore married Judith Cohen, a sister in law of Nathan Mayer Rothschild. He then became Rothschild's stockbroker. Sir Moses retired from business in 1824 to devote himself to community and civic affairs.

Montefiore deeply loved Eretz Yisrael and believed in its messianic restoration, through Devine Providence as opposed to the large-scale, planned development of the country as the solution to the Jewish problem.

From his first visit to Eretz Yisrael until the end of his life, he became strictly observant. He went on to visit Eretz Yisrael seven times. He had his own synagogue built on his estate at Ramsgate and in later years, traveled with his own "shochet".

On behalf of the Jews in Eretz Yisrael he tried to help Jews become self-sufficient, by attempting to bring industry to the country through introducing a printing press a textile factory and the famous Montefiore windmill (which never worked due to the lack of wind)

Montefiore was Sheriff of London from 1837 to 1838, and was knighted by Queen Victoria. He received a baronetcy in 1846 in recognition of his humanitarian efforts on behalf of the Jews.

Sir Moses was president of the British Board of Deputies from 1835-1874, with one brief interruption.

Sir Moses visited Russia in 1846, Morocco in 1863, and Romania in 1867, to ask the authorities to stop persecution of the Jews.

Sir Moses Montefiore's physical stature (he was 6 ft. 3 in. tall), together with his background and philanthropy, made him highly respected and admired around the world.